Microbial pathogenesis and cytoskeletal function

Pathogenic microbes subvert normal host-cell processes to create a specialized niche, which enhances their survival. A common and recurring target of pathogens is the host cell's cytoskeleton, which is utilized by these microbes for purposes that include attachment, entry into cells, movement w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 2003-04, Vol.422 (6933), p.775-781
Main Authors: Finlay, B. Brett, Gruenheid, Samantha
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actins - metabolism
Animals
Biological Transport
Cellular biology
Cytoskeleton - metabolism
Cytoskeleton - microbiology
Host-Parasite Interactions
Humans
Infection - microbiology
Infection - parasitology
Infection - pathology
Infection - virology
Infectious diseases
Listeria
Pathogens
Phagocytes - cytology
Phagocytes - metabolism
Phagocytes - microbiology
Phagocytosis
rho GTP-Binding Proteins - metabolism
Shigella
Tight Junctions - metabolism
Tight Junctions - microbiology
Toxins
Vacuoles - microbiology
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Summary:Pathogenic microbes subvert normal host-cell processes to create a specialized niche, which enhances their survival. A common and recurring target of pathogens is the host cell's cytoskeleton, which is utilized by these microbes for purposes that include attachment, entry into cells, movement within and between cells, vacuole formation and remodelling, and avoidance of phagocytosis. Our increased understanding of these processes in recent years has not only contributed to a greater comprehension of the molecular causes of infectious diseases, but has also revealed fundamental insights into normal functions of the cytoskeleton. From the use of bacterial toxins to investigate Rho family GTPases to in vitro studies of actin polymerization using Listeria and Shigella, the study of pathogenesis has provided important tools to probe cytoskeletal function.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/nature01603