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Related Concept Videos

Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types –  adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as  epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as  heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...
Colonisation of Pathogens01:25

Colonisation of Pathogens

Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...
Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence01:20

Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence

Pathogenic bacteria employ a variety of strategies to establish infections, including the secretion of extracellular enzymes that act as potent virulence factors. These enzymes facilitate bacterial colonization of host tissues and help evade immune surveillance. By targeting structural components of host tissues and interfering with immune mechanisms, these enzymes play a pivotal role in disease progression.Extracellular Enzymes Facilitating Tissue Invasion: Several bacterial pathogens secrete...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

Tight junctions are molecular seals between cells that prevent the leaking of fluids, ions, and other small solutes across cavities and compartments in multicellular organisms. They are mainly composed of claudin and occludin transmembrane proteins, and other proteins such as tricellulin and JAM (junctional adhesion molecule). All these proteins are 4-pass transmembrane proteins, except JAM, which is a single-pass transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The...
Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy of Membrane Proteins using Single-Antibody Labeling
07:51

Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy of Membrane Proteins using Single-Antibody Labeling

Published on: March 20, 2026

Tetraspanins: gateways for infection.

Peter N Monk1, Lynda J Partridge

  • 1Department of Infection and Immunity, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. p.monk@shef.ac.uk

Infectious Disorders Drug Targets
|November 1, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tetraspanins are key membrane proteins hijacked by pathogens. Targeting these tetraspanin enriched microdomains (TEM) offers potential therapeutic strategies against viral and other intracellular infections.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Tetraspanins are conserved four-span membrane proteins forming tetraspanin enriched microdomains (TEM).
  • TEM are crucial for cellular functions like adhesion, fusion, and trafficking.
  • Intracellular pathogens exploit tetraspanins for cellular entry, movement, and exit.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of tetraspanins in the life cycle of various intracellular pathogens.
  • To explore the mechanisms by which viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites utilize tetraspanins.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting tetraspanins for infection treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on tetraspanins and pathogen interactions.
  • Analysis of studies detailing pathogen uptake, intracellular trafficking, and spread mediated by tetraspanins.
  • Synthesis of evidence regarding the therapeutic targeting of tetraspanins.

Main Results:

  • Tetraspanins are implicated in the entry, intracellular transport, and release of numerous viruses.
  • Evidence suggests tetraspanin involvement in the lifecycle of intracellular bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
  • Pathogen hijacking of tetraspanin-associated molecular machinery is a common theme.

Conclusions:

  • Tetraspanins play a significant role in the pathogenesis of diverse intracellular infections.
  • Targeting tetraspanins presents a promising avenue for developing novel anti-infective therapies.
  • Further research into tetraspanin-pathogen interactions can unlock new treatment strategies.