LntA is a virulence factor from the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes that stimulates interferon responses during infection by inhibiting BAHD1, a nuclear protein involved in gene silencing by promoting heterochromatin formation. The secreted form of LntA can be subdivided into two domains; the trunk of the protein is formed by a bundle of helices, H1 to H3, while H4 and H5 protrude from one side of the protein. The positioning of the elbow relative to the trunk creates an elongated groove on LntA's surface, lined by charged patches. The K180/K181 dilysine motif on the surface of helix H5 is essential for BAHD1 recognition [].
