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Implementation of a Permeable Membrane Insert-based Infection System to Study the Effects of Secreted Bacterial Toxins on Mammalian Host Cells
09:25

Implementation of a Permeable Membrane Insert-based Infection System to Study the Effects of Secreted Bacterial Toxins on Mammalian Host Cells

Published on: August 19, 2016

Pasteurella multocida toxin interaction with host cells: entry and cellular effects

Brenda A Wilson1, Mengfei Ho

  • 1Department of Microbiology and the Host-Microbe Systems Theme of the Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. bawilson@life.illinois.edu

Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|May 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) stimulates cell growth by altering G-protein signaling. This bacterial toxin promotes proliferation while inhibiting differentiation, impacting infection outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Pasteurella multocida is a bacterial pathogen.
  • The mitogenic dermonecrotic toxin (PMT) is a key virulence factor produced by P. multocida.
  • PMT is a large, multipartite A-B family toxin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanism of PMT action.
  • To understand how PMT influences cellular signaling pathways.
  • To correlate PMT activity with disease outcomes in P. multocida infections.

Main Methods:

  • Biochemical assays to determine G-protein deamidation activity.
  • Cell-based assays to assess downstream signaling.
  • Analysis of cellular proliferation and differentiation markers.

Main Results:

  • PMT deamidates α subunits of G(q)-, G(i)-, and G(12/13)-proteins.
  • This activity potently stimulates mitogenic, calcium, and cytoskeletal signaling.
  • PMT induces cellular proliferation and inhibits differentiation.

Conclusions:

  • PMT's G-protein deamidating activity is central to its virulence.
  • PMT disrupts normal cellular functions, leading to pleiotropic effects.
  • Understanding PMT's mechanism is crucial for addressing P. multocida infections.

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