Dr Mark Shepherd comments on a recent article featuring his group’s work that was selected as cover image in the scientific journal “Antioxidants and Redox Signalling”.
“Many bacterial pathogens overcome the biocidal action of copper during infection. We demonstrate that the ScsC protein of Salmonella contributes to survival during conditions of copper stress, and report the crystal structure and biochemical properties of this soluble, periplasmically-located thioredoxin-like protein. Our findings have implications on the mechanism by which Salmonella circumvents the toxic effects of redox-active copper (II) ions. ScsC is encoded by several species of pathogenic bacteria, highlighting the significance of this newly characterised protective mechanism.”
Dr. Shepherd teaches metabolism to student in the second year, and is the Programme Director of our new MSc in Infectious Diseases.
Shepherd, M., Heras, B., Achard, M., King, G. J., Argente, M. P., Kurth, F., Taylor, S. L., Howard, M. J., King, N. P., Schembri, M. A. and McEwan, A. G. (2013). “Structural and functional characterisation of ScsC, a periplasmic thioredoxin-like protein from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.” Antiox. Redox Sign. 19(13): 1494-1506.