identifier: METPO:1004002
label: animal pathogen
definition: A pathogen that infects organisms in the kingdom Metazoa.
definition_source: DOI:10.1146/annurev.micro.62.081307.162938
trait_category: ECOLOGY
term_kind: CLASS
mapping_status: REVIEWED
parent_traits:
- METPO:1004000
evidence:
- reference: DOI:10.1146/annurev.micro.62.081307.162938
  snippet: virulence factors
  notes: Virulence-factor review supports adaptation of bacterial virulence programs
    to animal hosts.
- reference: DOI:10.1038/nrmicro1592
  snippet: secretion systems
  notes: Secretion-systems review supports T3SS/T6SS effector delivery as a major
    mechanism by which bacteria infect animal hosts.
canonical_examples:
- taxon_id: NCBITaxon:28901
  taxon_label: Salmonella enterica
  note: "animal/zoonotic pathogen"
  reference: PMID:31190705
- taxon_id: NCBITaxon:747
  taxon_label: Pasteurella multocida
  note: "animal pathogen"
  reference: PMID:31484691
causal_graphs:
- graph_id: animal_pathogen_metazoan_adaptation
  title: Animal-pathogen metazoan host adaptation
  description: DOI-backed graph linking metazoan-adapted virulence factors, immune-evasion
    strategies, and animal-tissue colonization to the animal-pathogen phenotype.
  nodes:
  - node_id: animal_pathogen_trait
    label: animal pathogen
    node_type: TRAIT
    grounding: METPO:1004002
    description: Pathogen of metazoan hosts.
  - node_id: metazoan_virulence_factors
    label: metazoan-adapted virulence factors
    node_type: GENE_OR_PROTEIN
    description: Virulence factors tuned to animal-cell receptors and tissues.
  - node_id: immune_evasion
    label: immune evasion
    node_type: BIOLOGICAL_PROCESS
    description: Strategies evading innate and adaptive immunity of metazoans.
  - node_id: animal_tissue_colonization
    label: animal tissue colonization
    node_type: BIOLOGICAL_PROCESS
    description: Establishment of microbial growth in metazoan tissues.
  - node_id: animal_disease
    label: animal disease
    node_type: BIOLOGICAL_PROCESS
    description: Pathology produced in an animal host.
  - node_id: bacterial_adhesins
    label: bacterial adhesins
    node_type: GENE_OR_PROTEIN
    description: Bacterial surface molecules mediating adherence to host tissues.
  - node_id: host_cell_attachment
    label: attachment to host cells and mucosa
    node_type: BIOLOGICAL_PROCESS
    description: Adhesion of bacteria to host cells, extracellular matrix, or mucosa.
  - node_id: complement_regulator_binding_proteins
    label: complement-regulator-binding surface proteins
    node_type: GENE_OR_PROTEIN
    description: Bacterial surface proteins that bind host complement regulators factor
      H and C4BP.
  - node_id: complement_evasion
    label: complement evasion
    node_type: BIOLOGICAL_PROCESS
    description: Evasion of host complement-mediated humoral immunity.
  - node_id: type_iii_secretion_system
    label: type III secretion system
    node_type: GENE_OR_PROTEIN
    description: Injectisome multiprotein complex forming syringe-like structures
      on bacteria.
  - node_id: t3ss_effector_delivery
    label: effector delivery into host-cell cytoplasm
    node_type: BIOLOGICAL_PROCESS
    description: Delivery of effector proteins directly into the host-cell cytoplasm.
  - node_id: type_iv_secretion_system
    label: type IV secretion system
    node_type: GENE_OR_PROTEIN
    description: Versatile nanomachine translocating effector proteins or toxins into
      target cells.
  - node_id: effector_translocation_t4ss
    label: effector/toxin translocation into target cells
    node_type: BIOLOGICAL_PROCESS
    description: T4SS-mediated translocation of protein effectors or toxins into target
      cells.
  - node_id: low_iron_environment
    label: low-iron host environment
    node_type: ENVIRONMENTAL_FACTOR
    description: Iron-restricted conditions encountered within animal hosts.
  - node_id: siderophore_biosynthesis
    label: siderophore biosynthesis gene expression
    node_type: BIOLOGICAL_PROCESS
    description: Expression of siderophore biosynthesis genes for iron scavenging.
  - node_id: tonb_dependent_transporters
    label: TonB-dependent transporters
    node_type: GENE_OR_PROTEIN
    description: Outer-membrane transporters importing siderophore-Fe3+ complexes.
  - node_id: siderophore_iron_import
    label: siderophore-Fe3+ complex import
    node_type: BIOLOGICAL_PROCESS
    description: Import of siderophore-ferric iron complexes into the periplasm.
  edges:
  - subject: metazoan_virulence_factors
    predicate: enables
    object: animal_tissue_colonization
    description: Metazoan-adapted virulence factors enable adhesion and invasion of
      animal tissues.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1146/annurev.micro.62.081307.162938
      snippet: virulence factors
      notes: Supports virulence factors as enablers of animal tissue colonization.
    predicate_id: RO:0002327
  - subject: immune_evasion
    predicate: enables
    object: animal_tissue_colonization
    description: Immune evasion supports sustained colonization despite host defenses.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1038/nrmicro1592
      snippet: secretion systems
      notes: Supports effector-delivery-based immune evasion in animal pathogens.
    predicate_id: RO:0002327
  - subject: animal_tissue_colonization
    predicate: causes
    object: animal_disease
    description: Established colonization in animal tissues causes disease.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1146/annurev.micro.62.081307.162938
      snippet: virulence factors
      notes: Supports colonization-to-disease progression in animal hosts.
    predicate_id: biolink:causes
  - subject: animal_disease
    predicate: manifests as
    object: animal_pathogen_trait
    description: Animal disease manifests the animal-pathogen trait.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1146/annurev.micro.62.081307.162938
      snippet: virulence factors
      notes: Supports the trait endpoint.
    predicate_id: METPO:2007400
  - subject: bacterial_adhesins
    predicate: enables
    object: host_cell_attachment
    description: Bacterial adhesins enable attachment to host cells, extracellular
      matrix, and mucosa.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1093/femsre/fuae019
      notes: Expression of bacterial surface adhesins is critical for adherence to
        host tissues; common colonization mechanism across body sites.
    predicate_id: RO:0002327
  - subject: host_cell_attachment
    predicate: enables
    object: animal_tissue_colonization
    description: Attachment to host surfaces initiates colonization of metazoan barrier
      sites.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1093/femsre/fuae019
      notes: Colonization of metazoan barrier sites commonly begins with adhesion
        to host surfaces.
    predicate_id: RO:0002327
  - subject: complement_regulator_binding_proteins
    predicate: mediates
    object: complement_evasion
    description: Surface proteins binding host complement regulators (factor H, C4BP)
      mediate complement evasion.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1093/femsre/fuae019
      notes: Surface proteins in diverse bacterial pathogens bind fH and C4BP to mediate
        evasion of complement proteins.
  - subject: complement_evasion
    predicate: enables
    object: immune_evasion
    description: Complement evasion contributes to overall evasion of host immunity.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1093/femsre/fuae019
      notes: Complement evasion is a major determinant shaping immune resistance in
        animal pathogens.
    predicate_id: RO:0002327
  - subject: type_iii_secretion_system
    predicate: enables
    object: t3ss_effector_delivery
    description: T3SS injectisomes deliver effector proteins directly into the host-cell
      cytoplasm.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1128/spectrum.02224-23
      notes: T3SSs form syringe-like structures allowing effector proteins to be delivered
        from bacteria into the host-cell cytoplasm.
    predicate_id: RO:0002327
  - subject: t3ss_effector_delivery
    predicate: enables
    object: immune_evasion
    description: T3SS effector delivery modulates host cells and supports immune evasion.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1128/spectrum.02224-23
      notes: Effector delivery into host cytoplasm is a canonical virulence mechanism
        subverting host defenses.
    predicate_id: RO:0002327
  - subject: type_iv_secretion_system
    predicate: enables
    object: effector_translocation_t4ss
    description: T4SS nanomachines translocate protein effectors or toxins into target
      cells.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1038/s41579-023-00974-3
      notes: Many T4SSs have acquired functionalities relating to translocation of
        effector proteins or toxins, supporting host-pathogen interactions.
    predicate_id: RO:0002327
  - subject: effector_translocation_t4ss
    predicate: enables
    object: animal_tissue_colonization
    description: T4SS effector/toxin translocation supports host-pathogen interactions
      and colonization.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1038/s41579-023-00974-3
      notes: T4SSs are versatile nanomachines central to host-pathogen interactions.
    predicate_id: RO:0002327
  - subject: low_iron_environment
    predicate: enables
    object: siderophore_biosynthesis
    description: Low iron derepresses Fur, enabling siderophore biosynthesis gene
      expression.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1039/d4cb00175c
      notes: When iron decreases, Fur releases Fe2+ allowing siderophore biosynthesis
        gene expression.
    predicate_id: RO:0002327
  - subject: tonb_dependent_transporters
    predicate: enables
    object: siderophore_iron_import
    description: TonB-dependent transporters import siderophore-Fe3+ complexes into
      the periplasm.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1039/d4cb00175c
      notes: Siderophore-Fe3+ complexes are imported via TonB-dependent transporters
        into the periplasm.
    predicate_id: RO:0002327
  - subject: siderophore_iron_import
    predicate: enables
    object: animal_tissue_colonization
    description: Iron acquisition via siderophore uptake supports growth in iron-restricted
      host tissues.
    evidence:
    - reference: DOI:10.1039/d4cb00175c
      notes: Iron scavenging uptake is central to nutrient acquisition in host environments.
    predicate_id: RO:0002327
curation_history:
- timestamp: '2026-05-05T01:35:46.948723+00:00'
  curator: seed_from_metpo
  action: SEEDED_FROM_METPO
  changes: imported from data/raw/metpo.owl (CLASS)
  llm_assisted: false
- timestamp: '2026-05-11T23:15:00-07:00'
  curator: claude
  action: CURATED_CAUSAL_GRAPH
  changes: Added DOI-backed causal graph linking metazoan-adapted virulence factors,
    immune evasion, animal tissue colonization, and disease to the animal-pathogen
    trait.
  llm_assisted: true
- timestamp: '2026-05-20T03:35:29Z'
  curator: claude
  action: GROUND_CAUSAL_PREDICATES
  changes: Grounded 1 causal-edge predicate_id field(s) via mappings/predicate_grounding.tsv
    (RO:0002327×1).
  llm_assisted: true
- timestamp: '2026-05-20T05:49:23Z'
  curator: claude
  action: GROUND_CAUSAL_PREDICATES
  changes: Grounded 1 causal-edge predicate_id field(s) via mappings/predicate_grounding.tsv
    (biolink:causes×1).
  llm_assisted: true
- timestamp: '2026-05-23T21:30:05Z'
  curator: claude
  action: GROUND_CAUSAL_PREDICATES
  changes: Grounded 1 causal-edge predicate_id field(s) via mappings/predicate_grounding.tsv
    (METPO:2007400×1).
  llm_assisted: true
- timestamp: '2026-05-24T04:13:18Z'
  curator: claude
  action: RENAME_PREDICATE_LABELS
  changes: 'Renamed 1 causal-edge predicate label(s) to align with existing groundings:
    supports → enables ×1.'
  llm_assisted: true
- timestamp: '2026-05-24T04:13:20Z'
  curator: claude
  action: GROUND_CAUSAL_PREDICATES
  changes: Grounded 1 causal-edge predicate_id field(s) via mappings/predicate_grounding.tsv
    (RO:0002327×1).
  llm_assisted: true
- timestamp: '2026-06-17T04:09:43Z'
  curator: claude
  action: REMOVE_REDUNDANT_SYNONYM
  changes: Removed 1 synonym(s) whose text duplicated the label (seeder redundancy;
    no information lost).
  llm_assisted: true
- timestamp: '2026-06-23T00:00:00Z'
  curator: claude
  action: ENRICH_CAUSAL_GRAPH
  changes: Added 11 evidence-backed generic edges (12 new nodes) from the deep-research
    report.
  llm_assisted: true
- timestamp: '2026-06-24T17:21:09Z'
  curator: claude
  action: GROUND_CAUSAL_PREDICATES
  changes: Grounded 10 causal-edge predicate_id field(s) via mappings/predicate_grounding.tsv
    (RO:0002327×10).
  llm_assisted: true
discussions:
- discussion_id: kgscan-30bcdf4a32b0
  prompt: 'Knowledge gap for animal pathogen: Prokaryotes in such plastispheres are
    unknown to date.'
  kind: KNOWLEDGE_GAP
  status: OPEN
  rationale: 'Surfaced by the Europe PMC literature gap-signal scan (categories: controversy_conflict,
    explicit_gap, limitations_barriers, unclear_unknown). Curator review required:
    set attaches_to, refine the prompt, and weigh the cited evidence.'
  attaches_to: []
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:40891913
    supports: NO_EVIDENCE
    evidence_source: abstract
    snippet: Prokaryotes in such plastispheres are unknown to date.
    explanation: Gap-signal sentence (unclear_unknown) from the cited abstract.
  - reference: PMID:42279816
    supports: NO_EVIDENCE
    evidence_source: abstract
    snippet: However, in South America, their use is still limited because of complicated
      regulations and inconsistent evidence requirements.
    explanation: Gap-signal sentence (controversy_conflict) from the cited abstract.
  - reference: PMID:41639266
    supports: NO_EVIDENCE
    evidence_source: abstract
    snippet: However, the interacting effects of climate factors and seasonal variations
      in nutritional components on PMCs remain poorly understood.
    explanation: Gap-signal sentence (unclear_unknown) from the cited abstract.
  - reference: PMID:42197358
    supports: NO_EVIDENCE
    evidence_source: abstract
    snippet: While plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are known to alleviate heavy
      metal toxicity, their role under MP-HM co-contamination and the differential
      responses of rhizosphere microbial communities remain unclear.
    explanation: Gap-signal sentence (unclear_unknown) from the cited abstract.
  posed_by: kg-microbe-kgscan