Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026

12:52
Use of Shigella flexneri to Study Autophagy-Cytoskeleton Interactions
Published on: September 9, 2014
16.5K
[ENTRY OF FACULTATIVE PATHOGEN SERRATIA GRIMESII INTO HELA CELLS. ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS]
Tsitologiia
|February 12, 2016
Summary
Serratia grimesii invasion efficiency in HeLa cells was enhanced using N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Two invasion mechanisms, the "zipper" and "trigger" mechanisms, were observed, suggesting complex bacterial entry processes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Facultative pathogens like Serratia grimesii can invade eukaryotic cells, but invasion efficiency is low and initial mechanisms remain unclear.
- S. grimesii has been observed within host cell vacuoles and cytoplasm, indicating intracellular survival capabilities.
Purpose:
- To investigate and enhance the invasion efficiency of Serratia grimesii into HeLa cells.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying S. grimesii entry into host cells.
Summary:
- Pre-incubation of HeLa cells with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly increased S. grimesii invasion efficiency.
- Two distinct invasion mechanisms were identified: the 'zipper mechanism' involving specific bacterial-host receptor interactions and the 'trigger mechanism' involving membrane ruffling induced by bacterial proteins.
- The study suggests that either two mechanisms operate concurrently or one predominates during S. grimesii invasion.
Impact:
- This research provides novel insights into bacterial invasion strategies and host-pathogen interactions.
- Understanding these mechanisms can inform the development of strategies to control S. grimesii infections.
- The findings contribute to the broader field of cellular microbiology and host-pathogen dynamics.

