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Salmochelin, the long-overlooked catecholate siderophore of Salmonella

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Abstract

Salmochelin is a C-glucosylated enterobactin produced by Salmonella species, uropathogenic and avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, and certain Klebsiella strains. It was the first glucosylated siderophore described. The glucosylation has been interpreted as a bacterial evasion mechanism against the mammalian catecholate siderophore-binding protein siderocalin (NGAL-lipocalin). The synthesis, excretion, and uptake of salmochelin requires five genes, iroBCDEN, and also the enterobactin biosynthesis and utilization system. Some salmochelin-producing strains also secrete microcins, which possess a C-terminal, linear glucosyl-enterobactin moiety. These microcins recognize the catecholate siderophore receptors IroN, Cir, Fiu, and FepA, and may inhibit the growth of competitors for catecholate siderophores.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Andreas Kulik for help with the illustrations, G. Winkelmann and the group of R. D. Süßmuth group for collaborations, and V. Braun and Karen Brune (Marburg) for comments on the manuscript and editing. Financial support by the DFG is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie – Organismische Interaktionen, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

    Silke I. Müller, Marianne Valdebenito & Klaus Hantke

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  1. Silke I. Müller
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  2. Marianne Valdebenito
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  3. Klaus Hantke
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Correspondence to Klaus Hantke.

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Müller, S.I., Valdebenito, M. & Hantke, K. Salmochelin, the long-overlooked catecholate siderophore of Salmonella . Biometals 22, 691–695 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-009-9217-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-009-9217-4

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