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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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Spatio-Temporal Manipulation of Small GTPase Activity at Subcellular Level and on Timescale of Seconds in Living Cells
Published on: March 9, 2012
Manipulation of rab GTPase function by intracellular bacterial pathogens
John H Brumell1, Marci A Scidmore
1Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.
Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR
|December 8, 2007
Summary
Bacterial pathogens manipulate host cell pathways by controlling Rab GTPases on their vacuoles. This allows them to survive and replicate inside host cells, evading immune detection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Intracellular bacterial pathogens require specialized mechanisms to survive within eukaryotic hosts.
- Pathogens must avoid host cell degradation, acquire nutrients, and evade immune detection.
- Survival often involves manipulating the host's endocytic pathway to create a replicative niche.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how bacterial pathogens regulate host trafficking pathways.
- To understand the role of Rab GTPases in pathogen vacuole identity.
- To elucidate pathogen strategies for establishing intracellular survival niches.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes current research on bacterial pathogen interactions with host trafficking pathways.
- Focuses on the manipulation of Rab GTPases on pathogen-containing vacuoles.
- Examines how pathogens modify organelle identity to favor intracellular survival.
Main Results:
- Selected bacterial pathogens actively control Rab GTPase composition on their vacuoles.
- Inhibition of phagosome maturation and modulation of endocytic trafficking are key strategies.
- Pathogens exploit host cell pathways to establish a niche conducive to replication.
Conclusions:
- Rab GTPases are critical regulators of organelle identity and are targeted by intracellular pathogens.
- Pathogen manipulation of Rab GTPases is essential for creating a favorable intracellular niche.
- Understanding these interactions provides insights into host-pathogen dynamics and potential therapeutic targets.
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