What question did this study set out to answer?

To review the evolutionary origins of inorganic polyphosphate and characterize the roles of polyphosphate kinases in bacterial stress resistance, pathogenesis, and potential antimicrobial therapies.

November 1, 2004Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesOpen Access

Inorganic polyphosphate in the origin and survival of species

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MBMichael R. BrownUniversity of Toledo Medical Center AKArthur KornbergUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Comparative biological review demonstrates essential survival and virulence roles of polyphosphate kinase in bacteria, highlighting a novel antibacterial drug target.

Key Points

To review the evolutionary origins of inorganic polyphosphate and characterize the roles of polyphosphate kinases in bacterial stress resistance, pathogenesis, and potential antimicrobial therapies.
Evaluated the biochemical properties and structural conservation of inorganic polyphosphate across prebiotic models and diverse cellular lineages.
Analyzed survival, stress responses, biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and virulence profiles across null mutants of polyphosphate kinase 1 (PPK1) in over 100 bacterial genomes and Dictyostelium discoideum.
Bacterial PPK1 null mutants show severe survival defects, including impaired tolerance to physical and chemical stresses and heightened vulnerability to predation.
Loss of PPK1 impairs critical virulence phenotypes, suppressing biofilm formation, quorum sensing, bacterial motility, and the stringent response across multiple pathogens.
PPK1 is conserved across bacterial genomes but absent in eukaryotes (except Dictyostelium), identifying it as a selective target for antimicrobial chemotherapies that enhance drug susceptibility.

Cite This Study

Brown et al. (2004) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8509ad59798a3cd2e58ac7 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0406909101

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Comparative biological review demonstrates essential survival and virulence roles of polyphosphate kinase in bacteria, highlighting a novel antibacterial drug target.

Inorganic polyphosphate in the origin and survival of species

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Inorganic polyphosphate in the origin and survival of species

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider