Gene identification in the pre-genomic era was often arduous, and the mouse Nramp1 gene (natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1; formerly the Bcg/Lsh/Ity locus) was no exception. Yet, the three decades of gene search and research which have encompassed Nramp1 can be viewed as a journey that produced not one, but many discoveries. In this review, we provide a brief history of the Nra...

In mice, natural resistance or susceptibility to infection with intracellular parasites is determined by a locus or group of loci on chromosome 1, designated Bcg, Lsh, and Ity, which controls early microbial replication in reticuloendothelial organs. We have identified by positional cloning a candidate gene for Bcg, Nramp1, which codes for a novel macrophage-specific membrane transport protein....

Slc11a1/Nramp1 (solute carrier family 11 member a1/murine natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 gene) encodes a divalent cation transporter that resides within lysosomes/late endosomes of macrophages. Nramp1 modulates the cellular distribution of divalent cations in response to cell activation by intracellular pathogens. Nramp1 expression is repressed and activated by the proto-onc...

Nramp1 is a transporter that pumps divalent cations from the vacuoles of phagocytic cells and is associated with the innate resistance of mice to diverse intracellular pathogens. We demonstrate that sitA and mntH, genes encoding high-affinity metal ion uptake systems in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, are upregulated when Salmonella is internalized by Nramp1-expressing macrophages and ...

BACKGROUND Ample evidence suggests that host genetic factors affect human susceptibility to tuberculosis. The natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1) gene seems to play a role in the pathophysiology of a number of intracellular infections, including mycobacteria. A case-control study was conducted in the Greek population to determine whether NRAMP1 polymorphisms affect the s...

The Nramp (Slc11) protein family is widespread in bacteria and eukaryotes, and mediates transport of divalent metals across cellular membranes. The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum has two Nramp proteins. Nramp1, like its mammalian ortholog (SLC11A1), is recruited to phagosomal and macropinosomal membranes, and confers resistance to pathogenic bacteria. Nramp2 is located exclusively in th...

Mutations in the Nramp1 gene (Slc11a1) cause susceptibility to infection by intracellular pathogens. The Nramp1 protein is expressed at the phagosomal membrane of macrophages and neutrophils and is a paralog of the Nramp2 (Slc11a2) iron transporter. The Nramp1 transport mechanism at the phagosomal membrane has remained controversial. An Nramp1 protein modified by insertion of a hemagglutinin ep...

Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 and 2 encoding genes (Nramp1 and Nramp2) are related to many diseases. We cloned the cDNA of chicken Nramp1 and Nramp2 genes, characterized their expression and polymorphisms, and investigated the association of some SNPs with resistance to salmonellosis. The Nramp1 cDNA was 1746 bp long and the Nramp2 cDNA was 1938 bp long. These cDNAs are sim...

In mice, the gene encoding Nramp1 (natural resistance-associated protein 1) exists in two allelic forms, differing for a point mutation. According to Nramp1 genotype, extensive literature documents a clear-cut distinction of inbred strains in two non-overlapping groups that phenotypically express resistance (Nramp1r) and susceptibility (Nramp1s) to systemic infections. Here, we provide evidence...

The Nramp1 (Natural resistances macrophage protein1) gene or recently renamed Slc11a1 (solute carrier family 11 member1) is a member of a large family of genes coding for metal ion-transporting proteins. Nramp1 gene plays a critical role in innate immunity favoring bacterial killing by macrophages in addition to its influence on adaptative immunity. The aim of the present investigation was to i...