Cortactin: A universal host cytoskeletal target of Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacterial pathogens. Issue 6 (4th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharafutdinov, Irshad; Knorr, Jakob; Rottner, Klemens; Backert, Steffen; Tegtmeyer, Nicole
• Is Part Of: Molecular microbiology. Volume 118:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 623
• Page End: 636
• Publication Date: 2022-12-04
• Subjects: Cortactin -- Cytoskeleton -- Pathogenesis -- Signaling -- Virulence; Molecular microbiology -- Periodicals; 572.829
• DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-382X

Abstract

Abstract: Pathogenic bacteria possess a great potential of causing infectious diseases and represent a serious threat to human and animal health. Understanding the molecular basis of infection development can provide new valuable strategies for disease prevention and better control. In host‐pathogen interactions, actin‐cytoskeletal dynamics play a crucial role in the successful adherence, invasion, and intracellular motility of many intruding microbial pathogens. Cortactin, a major cellular factor that promotes actin polymerization and other functions, appears as a central regulator of host‐pathogen interactions and different human diseases including cancer development. Various important microbes have been reported to hijack cortactin signaling during infection. The primary regulation of cortactin appears to proceed via serine and/or tyrosine phosphorylation events by upstream kinases, acetylation, and interaction with various other host proteins, including the Arp2/3 complex, filamentous actin, the actin nucleation promoting factor N‐WASP, focal adhesion kinase FAK, the large GTPase dynamin‐2, the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav2, and the actin‐stabilizing protein CD2AP. Given that many signaling factors can affect cortactin activities, several microbes target certain unique pathways, while also sharing some common features. Here we review our current knowledge of the hallmarks of cortactin as a major target for eminent Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacterial pathogens in humans. Abstract : In host‐pathogen interactions, actin‐cytoskeletal dynamics play a crucial role in successful adherence, invasion, and intracellular motility by many intruding microbes. To achieve this goal, bacterial pathogens target major host regulators, one of which is the key actin‐binding protein and class‐II actin nucleation‐promoting factor cortactin. Here, we review our current knowledge of the hallmarks and signaling pathways of cortactin hijacked by eminent Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacterial pathogens of humans.