Researchers have found that one of the cell's defense mechanisms against pathogens is to deprive it of magnesium, therefore disrupting the pathogen's growth. It had been previously noted that the NRAMP1 transporter protein had been effective in giving increased resistance to Salmonella (pictured above), but they now understand that the reason for that is that the protein pumps magnesium out of the vesicles of the cells. The scientists believe that drugs that reduce pathogen ability to get magnesium could be used to give host cells the advantage over pathogens.
I think it is amazing what our cells are capable of doing to keep us safe. This observation can lead to some incredible research for the future, including the drugs they were talking about in the article and on some of the other cell defense mechanisms. I would be very interested in reading more on this subject matter.
Article: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191121141347.htm
Related Article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4521020/
