I was fortunate to work with an incredible team of scientists on this research, uncovering the critical role of Pcyox1l in neutrophil-mediated bacterial defense. Using cutting-edge systems immunology, we revealed how microbiome- and infection-driven changes shape neutrophil function. Strikingly, the highly conserved Pcyox1l protein directly impacts the mevalonate pathway, influencing autophagy, cellular viability, and bactericidal activity. Loss of Pcyox1l results in impaired neutrophil function, rendering knockout mice highly susceptible to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection—marked by excessive neutrophil infiltration, hemorrhaging, and weakened bacterial clearance. Our findings establish Pcyox1l as a key regulator of the prenylation pathway, bridging metabolism and immune defense.
This work was published in Nature Communications 2023. Follow the link below to access the manuscript.