Sweet-talk in the time of cholera: host mucin negotiates peace with Vibrio cholerae

EMBO J. 2023 Feb 1;42(3):e113204. doi: 10.15252/embj.2022113204. Epub 2022 Dec 27.

Abstract

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, must first be converted to its toxigenic form and cross the sugar-rich mucus barrier before it can cause disease, but whether these hurdles are linked is unclear. In this issue, Wang et al (2022) provide new evidence that mucus O-glycans directly prevent toxigenic conversion and virulence factor expression in V. cholerae.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Cholera Toxin* / metabolism
  • Cholera* / metabolism
  • Cholera* / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Mucins* / metabolism
  • Polysaccharides / metabolism
  • Vibrio cholerae* / metabolism
  • Vibrio cholerae* / pathogenicity
  • Virulence Factors* / metabolism

Substances

  • Cholera Toxin
  • Mucins
  • Virulence Factors
  • Polysaccharides