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How pathogens use linear motifs to perturb host cell networks

Allegra Via1, Bora Uyar2, Christine Brun3

  • 1Department of Physics, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy.

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|December 6, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Pathogens use molecular mimicry, where viral protein short linear motifs (SLiMs) imitate host SLiMs, to invade cells. This widespread strategy is also used by parasites, offering new therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Pathogens utilize molecular mimicry to colonize hosts and exploit cellular functions for replication.
  • Viruses specifically use protein short linear motifs (SLiMs) to mimic host SLiMs, aiding internalization and cellular network manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present evidence for motif mimicry as a widespread hijacking strategy in parasites.
  • To highlight the importance of understanding host motif mimicry for anti-infective strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and evidence synthesis.

Main Results:

  • Convincing evidence supports motif mimicry as an effective and widespread strategy in prokaryotic and eukaryotic parasites.
  • Viral SLiMs mimicking host SLiMs facilitate pathogen entry and manipulation of host cell networks.

Conclusions:

  • Motif mimicry is a crucial mechanism for pathogen invasion and host cell manipulation.
  • Further research into host motif mimicry can elucidate invasion mechanisms and inform anti-infective therapeutic development.
Keywords:
SLiMshost–pathogen interactionsmolecular mimicryshort linear motifsvirulence

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