Host–pathogen interactions: Proline gives insect pathogens the green light

Reference:

Waterfield, N., 2010. Host–pathogen interactions: Proline gives insect pathogens the green light. Current Biology, 20 (1), R13-R15.

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Official URL:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2009.11.018

Abstract

How does a quiescent symbiont of a nematode worm know when to turn nasty? Metabolic analysis and genetic knockouts confirm that model insect pathogens can sense L-proline in insect blood. This not only serves as a wake-up call, activating secondary metabolite virulence factors, but also provides an energy source for a metabolic shift appropriate for adaptation to the host environment.

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