CHAPTER 9 – Bacterial toxins and virulence factors targeting the actin cytoskeleton and intercellular junctions

摘要: This chapter focuses on the target of various bacterial toxins and secreted effector molecules, as well eucaryotic actin, which assembles into organized filaments regulated by a variety cytoskeletal proteins. Actin can form dynamic meshwork within cell that extends throughout cytosol (stress fibers) underneath plasma membrane (cortical actin), thus representing main structure responsible for morphology The actin-based cytoskeleton also controls many cellular functions critical life including locomotion, endocytosis, exocytosis, trafficking intracellular organelles, maintenance intercellular connections known tight (TJs) adherens (AJs) junctions. From pathogen's perspective, an ability to manipulate host is desirable obtaining additional nutrients, avoiding immune system, ultimately disseminating new host. Among numerous partners actin regulation, procaryotic virulence factors act at two levels involve monomers Rho-GTPases. Toxins directly molecules rapidly disrupt entire cytoskeleton, concomitant with brutal drastic rupture barrier integrity. In contrast, acting Rho- GTPases modulate specific functions, allowing pathogens alter certain junctions or cross through barriers escape mechanisms defense.