Synaptopodin is necessary for <i>Shigella flexneri</i> intercellular spread.

ABSTRACT: For many intracellular pathogens, their virulence depends on an ability to spread between cells of an epithelial layer. For intercellular spread to occur, these pathogens deform the plasma membrane into a protrusion structure that is engulfed by the neighboring cell. Although the polymerization of actin is essential for spread, how these pathogens manipulate the actin cytoskeleton in a manner that enables protrusion formation is still incompletely understood. Here, we identify the mammalian actin binding protein synaptopodin as required for efficient intercellular spread. Using a model cytosolic pathogen, Shigella flexneri , we show that synaptopodin contributes to organization of actin around bacteria and increases the length of the actin tail at the posterior pole of the bacteria.

SUBMITTER: Vickery JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10168286 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature