Title:The Role of Bacterial Proteases in Microbe and Host-microbe Interactions
Volume: 23
Issue: 3
Author(s): Daniel Hammers, Katelyn Carothers and Shaun Lee*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Galvin Hall, Notre, Dame, IN46556, USA
- Eck Institute
for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Brownson Hall, Notre Dame, IN46556, USA
- W.M. Keck Center for
Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN46556, USA
Keywords:
Bacterial proteases, bacterial pathogenesis, polymicrobialinteractions, Host immunity, therapeutics, polypeptides.
Abstract: Background: Secreted proteases are an important class of factors used by bacterial to
modulate their extracellular environment through the cleavage of peptides and proteins. These proteases
can range from broad, general proteolytic activity to high degrees of substrate specificity.
They are often involved in interactions between bacteria and other species, even across kingdoms,
allowing bacteria to survive and compete within their niche. As a result, many bacterial proteases
are of clinical importance. The immune system is a common target for these enzymes, and bacteria
have evolved ways to use these proteases to alter immune responses for their benefit. In addition to
the wide variety of human proteins that can be targeted by bacterial proteases, bacteria also use these
secreted factors to disrupt competing microbes, ranging from outright antimicrobial activity to
disrupting processes like biofilm formation.
Objective: In this review, we address how bacterial proteases modulate host mechanisms of protection
from infection and injury, including immune factors and cell barriers. We also discuss the contributions
of bacterial proteases to microbe-microbe interactions, including antimicrobial and anti-
biofilm dynamics.
Conclusion: Bacterial secreted proteases represent an incredibly diverse group of factors that bacteria
use to shape and thrive in their microenvironment. Due to the range of activities and targets of
these proteases, some have been noted for having potential as therapeutics. The vast array of bacterial
proteases and their targets remains an expanding field of research, and this field has many important
implications for human health.