Inhibition of ROCK activity allows InlF-mediated invasion and increased virulence of Listeria monocytogenes.

ABSTRACT: Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes life-threatening disease. The mechanisms used by L. monocytogenes to invade non-professional phagocytic cells are not fully understood. In addition to the requirement of bacterial determinants, host cell conditions profoundly influence infection. Here, we have shown that inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK pathway by pharmacological inhibitors or RNA interference results in increased L. monocytogenes invasion of murine fibroblasts and hepatocytes. InlF, a member of the internalin multigene family with no known function, was identified as a L. monocytogenes-specific factor mediating increased host cell binding and entry. Conversely, activation of RhoA/ROCK activity resulted in decreased L. monocytogenes adhesion and invasion.

SUBMITTER: Kirchner M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2575752 | biostudies-literature | 2008 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature