The force awakens: the dark side of mechanosensing in bacterial pathogens

Mordue, J., O'Boyle, N., Gadegaard, N. and Roe, A. J. (2021) The force awakens: the dark side of mechanosensing in bacterial pathogens. Cellular Signalling, 78, 109867. (doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109867) (PMID:33279672)

Abstract

For many bacteria, the ability to sense physical stimuli such as contact with a surface or a potential host cell is vital for survival and proliferation. This ability, and subsequent attachment, confers a wide range of benefits to bacteria and many species have evolved to take advantage of this. Despite the impressive diversity of bacterial pathogens and their virulence factors, mechanosensory mechanisms are often conserved. These include sensing impedance of flagellar rotation and resistance to type IV pili retraction. There are additional mechanisms that rely on the use of specific membrane-bound adhesins to sense either surface proximity or shear forces. This review aims to examine these mechanosensors, and how they are used by pathogenic bacteria to sense physical features in their environment. We will explore how these sensors generate and transmit signals which can trigger modulation of virulence-associated gene expression in some of the most common bacterial pathogens: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli and Vibrio species.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Roe, Professor Andrew and Mordue, Mr James and O Boyle, Dr Nicky and Gadegaard, Professor Nikolaj
• Authors: Mordue, J., O'Boyle, N., Gadegaard, N., and Roe, A. J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Journal Name: Cellular Signalling
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0898-6568
• ISSN (Online): 1873-3913
• Published Online: 03 December 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc.
• First Published: First published in Cellular Signalling 78: 109867
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
172865		EPSRC DTP 16/17 and 17/18	Tania Galabova	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/N509668/1	Research and Innovation Services