Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41223210›Full record

ArticlePLoS pathogens2025

Functional synergy of heteropentameric B subunits underlies virulence in a Salmonella A2B5 toxin.

Dongdong Wang, Zhe Chen, Chunyu Xu, Xuyao Jiao, Min Yue, Xiang Gao

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS pathogens, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Dongdong WangState Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
Zhe ChenState Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
Chunyu XuState Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
Xuyao JiaoState Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
Min YueKey Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.
Xiang GaoState Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.ORCID 0000-0001-6397-5639

Funding

China Postdoctoral International Exchange ProgramChina Postdoctoral Science FoundationFrontiers and Challenges ProjectIntramural Joint Program Fund of State Key Laboratory of Microbial TechnologyNational Key R&D Program of ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaQingdao Natural Science FoundationShandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

AB5-type toxins are critical virulence factors in bacterial pathogenesis. Despite the identification of various B subunits in AB5 toxins across different pathogens, their assembly mechanisms and biological significance remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified and characterized a typhoid toxin-like A2B5 toxin, designated diarizonae toxin (DiaT), as a key virulence factor in Salmonella diarizonae. The DiaT genomic islet encodes two distinct B subunits, PltBd1 and PltBd2, which exhibit unique functional roles. Through genetic and functional analyses, we demonstrate that the heteropentameric assembly of PltBd1 and PltBd2 is essential for cytotoxicity, with our data suggesting PltBd1 facilitates toxin secretion and PltBd2 mediates host cell targeting. Cryo-EM structural analysis of endogenously expressed DiaT reveals a heteropentameric holotoxin with a 3:2 stoichiometry of PltBd1 to PltBd2, potentially stabilized by the PltA subunit. These findings uncover a novel assembly mechanism and synergistic functionality between distinct B subunits, advancing our understanding of the evolutionary diversity and functional complexity of AB5 toxins. This work provides new insights into bacterial pathogenesis and highlights potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Indexed as

Bacterial ProteinsBacterial ToxinsSalmonellaVirulence FactorsAnimalsCryoelectron MicroscopyHumansMiceProtein SubunitsSalmonella InfectionsVirulenceBacterial ProteinsBacterial ToxinsProtein SubunitsVirulence Factors

Identifiers

PMID41223210
PMCPMC12629460

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.