title: Isoprenoid biosynthesis in bacterial pathogens.
abstract: Isoprenoid biosynthesis is essential for cell survival. Over 35 000 isoprenoid molecules have been identified to date in the three domains of life (bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes), and these molecules are involved in a wide variety of vital biological functions. Isoprenoids may be synthesized via one of two independent nonhomologous pathways, the classical mevalonate pathway or the alternative 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway. Given that isoprenoids are indispensable, enzymes involved in their production have been investigated as potential drug targets. It has also been observed that the MEP pathway intermediate 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl 4-diphosphate (HMB-PP) can activate human Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells. Herein we review isoprenoid biosynthesis in bacterial pathogens. The role of isoprenoid biosynthesis pathways in host-pathogen interactions (virulence potential and immune stimulation) is examined. Finally, the design of antimicrobial drugs that target isoprenoid biosynthesis pathways is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sinéad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heuston
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Máire
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Begley
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.|Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.|Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Cormac G M
authors.initials: CGM
authors.lastname: Gahan
authors.affiliation: Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.|Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D013729:Terpenes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D013729:Terpenes