Abstract 2064 Essential role of the N-terminal beta-hairpin in the structure and function of DcrB, a Salmonella copper resistance protein

Copper ions are essential for living organisms, but high levels of copper ions are toxic to cells, including microbial pathogens. Copper is used as an antimicrobial metal in touched surfaces to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and there is evidence that mammalian immune systems use copper ions as an antimicrobial defense. Nevertheless, pathogenic bacteria can resist being killed by copper ions. The objective of this study is to examine the mechanism of a novel bacterial copper resistance protein, DcrB, in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, a bacterial cause of food-borne illness in humans.