The latest study from the Moraes lab characterized a novel heme uptake pathway in A. baumannii, which is listed by the WHO and CDC as one of the top priority pathogens for research and development of new therapeutics. In response to being in iron restricted environments such as a human host during infection, A. baumannii produces a heme binding protein (HphA) secreted by an outer membrane protein called Slam. This heme-iron capture system is important for virulence, and contributes to A. baumannii’s ability to spread beyond the lungs and into the vasculature.

The full article can be accessed at the following link: a Slam-dependent hemophore contributes to heme acquisition in the bacterial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii