Yersinia pestis LcrV protein (LcrV)

Yersinia pestis LcrV protein (also known as V-antigen) is a multifunctional virulence factor and a critical component of the type III secretion system (T3SS) in Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes plague[1][2][3][7]. It regulates the translocation of cytotoxic effector proteins (Yops) from the bacterium into host cells, facilitating immune evasion and successful infection[1][3][7]. LcrV also modulates the host immune response and serves as a protective antigen, forming the tip complex of the T3SS needle essential for effector delivery[4][7]. The protein shows sequence conservation among epidemic strains but contains polymorphic regions that can influence structural properties and immune recognition[2][5][6]. It is a target for experimental vaccines and immunotherapies, but antigenic variability represents a challenge for broad efficacy[6].

Other names

V-antigenLow calcium response V antigenLcrV antigen

Blocking Yersinia T3SS effector translocation\nNeutralizing virulence by antibody binding