Multiple facets and functions of the toxin mycolactone produced by Mycobacterium ulcerans

The presentation in this chapter aims at providing a global view on the present knowledge on mycolactone, the main virulence factor of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent of Buruli ulcer. The focus of the presentation is about the multiple facets and functions of the pleiotropic toxin, with notably immunomodulatory and analgesic properties. In this spirit, the presentation of the known biological mechanisms underlying such diverse functions is paralleled with the presentation of the structural information concerning the toxin, and its synthesis, which has become available these last years. Letting aside the more technical descriptions, the parallel presentation of the biological and structural aspects rather highlights the partial information available at present for relating molecular details of the toxin with its various functional capabilities. Pinpointing the missing links in such structure/function relationships can then help pave the way for future research to reach a more complete picture. Such detailed structure/function information could then be put to advantage in the rational development of drugs inspired by the toxin, notably for analgesia.