How a Bacterial Protein Helps Pathogens Enter Human Cells
Author Information
Author(s): Kajiya Mikihito, Komatsuzawa Hitoshi, Papantonakis Annatoula, Seki Makoto, Makihira Seicho, Ouhara Kazuhisa, Kusumoto Yutaka, Murakami Shinya, Taubman Martin A., Kawai Toshihisa
Primary Institution: Forsyth Institute
Hypothesis
Omp29 is associated with the entry of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans into gingival epithelial cells.
Conclusion
The study found that Omp29 facilitates the entry of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans into human gingival epithelial cells by promoting F-actin rearrangement.
Supporting Evidence
- Omp29 expression vector was incorporated in an OmpA-deficient mutant of E. coli.
- Omp29+/OmpA− E. coli demonstrated 22-fold higher entry into human gingival epithelial cells than Omp29−/OmpA− E. coli.
- Stimulation of OBA9 cells with purified Omp29 increased the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK).
- Omp29 increased the formation of F-actin in OBA9 cells.
Takeaway
A protein from a bacteria helps it get inside human cells by changing the cell's structure, like rearranging building blocks.
Methodology
The study used bacterial strains, cell cultures, and various assays to analyze the entry of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans into gingival epithelial cells.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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