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Synthesis of Infectious Bacteriophages in an E. coli-based Cell-free Expression System
Published on: August 17, 2017
Endocytosis of Bacteriophages
Paulina Miernikiewicz1, Krystyna Dąbrowska1
1Laboratory of Phage Molecular Biology, Department of Phage Therapy, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, Wrocław, 53-114, Poland.
Abstract:
Endocytosis is used by eukaryotic cells for ingesting external objects. Importantly, endocytosis is a major process that determines phage pharmacokinetics in vivo. Either dissemination of phages throughout the system or phage clearance engages cellular uptake of phage particles. Here we discuss phage uptake by mammalian cells, focusing on mechanisms and pathways involved. Of note, cellular uptake of phage virions was first observed in professional phagocytes, such as macrophages or granulocytes. For this reason, it was historically referred to as 'phagocytosis'. The modern definition of phagocytosis, however, identifies this process as a type of endocytosis within a larger repertoire of endocytic pathways, such as macropinocytosis, clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and caveolar endocytosis, which have all been included in the scope of this review.
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