Phagocyte impotence caused by an invasive bacterial adenylate cyclase.
For unknown reasons, humans infected with the bacterium Bordetella pertussis are exceptionally vulnerable to secondary infections. Bordetella species elaborate a soluble, heat-stable, and highly active adenylate cyclase. This enzyme is internalized by phagocytic cells and catalyzes the unregulated formation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP), thereby disrupting normal cellular function. This unusual phenomenon may explain Bordetella-induced aphylaxis and may prove to be useful for investigating a variety of cyclic AMP-governed processes.
D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000201:enzymology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature
D013481:Superoxides; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases