Immune System Protein Starves ‘Staph’ Bacteria, Could Lead To New Treatments

ScienceDaily (Feb. 19, 2008) — One of the ways we defend ourselves against bacterial foes is to “hide” their food, particularly the metals they crave. A multi-disciplinary team led by Vanderbilt University investigators has now discovered that a protein inside certain immune system cells blocks the growth of “staph” bacteria by sopping up manganese and zinc.