Actin-based motility of intracellular pathogens

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Cell Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Pathogenic bacteria and viruses invade host cells, with some species exhibiting intracellular motility.
• Actin-based motility is a key mechanism for the spread of certain intracellular pathogens.
• The Arp2/3 complex is implicated in actin polymerization driving cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms of actin cytoskeleton exploitation by invasive pathogens.
• To highlight the role of the Arp2/3 complex in bacterial and viral actin-based motility.
• To update the list of pathogens utilizing actin-based motility.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on bacterial and viral invasion and motility.
• Analysis of molecular mechanisms involving the actin cytoskeleton and the Arp2/3 complex.
• Comparative study of motility strategies across different pathogens.

Main Results:

• Several invasive bacteria, including Listeria, Shigella, Rickettsia, Mycobacterium marinum, and Burkholderia pseudomallei, utilize host actin for intracellular movement.
• The Arp2/3 complex is a conserved central component in the actin-based motility of these diverse pathogens.
• Vaccinia virus also employs Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization for intercellular spread.

Conclusions:

• The Arp2/3 complex is a universal mediator of actin-based motility for a growing range of intracellular bacterial and viral pathogens.
• Understanding these mechanisms offers insights into host-pathogen interactions and potential therapeutic targets.
• Actin cytoskeleton manipulation is a convergent strategy for pathogen dissemination.