mSphere of Influence: Intermetal Competition during Manganese Toxicity

Julia E. Martin works in the field of metals in biology, with a focus on manganese (Mn) homeostasis in Streptococcus pneumoniae . In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the paper entitled “Role of the manganese efflux system mntE for signalling and pathogenesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae ” (J. W. Rosch, G. Gao, G. Ridout, Y.-D. Wang, and E. I. ABSTRACT Julia E. Martin works in the field of metals in biology, with a focus on manganese (Mn) homeostasis in Streptococcus pneumoniae . In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the paper entitled “Role of the manganese efflux system mntE for signalling and pathogenesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae ” (J. W. Rosch, G. Gao, G. Ridout, Y.-D. Wang, and E. I. Tuomanen, Mol Microbiol 72:12–25, 2009, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06638.x ) has impacted her thinking and research direction toward investigating the molecular underpinnings of why and how bacteria maintain optimal intracellular Mn levels.