A novel CD39-like ecto-NTPDase of Legionella pneumophila

军团病是社区获得性肺炎的一个严重病因。我们正在研究军团菌在环境中持续存在并导致疾病的方式。我们发现军团菌产生一种特殊的蛋白质，它模仿人类蛋白质的作用。该提案旨在研究细菌如何利用这种蛋白质感染人类肺部并逃避免疫细胞的杀伤。这项研究的结果将有助于确定这种蛋白质是否可以用作开发新的抗感染药物的靶点。

Legionnaire's disease is a serious cause of community acquired pneumonia. We are studying the way the Legionella bacteria persist in the environment and cause disease. We have found that Legionella produces a specific protein that mimics the action of a human protein. This proposal aims to work out how the bacteria use this protein to infect the human lung and escape killing by immune cells. The results from this study will help to determine if this protein may be used as a target for the development of new anti-infective drugs.