Eating while intoxicated: characterizing the molecular mechanism behind V. cholerae toxin MakA-regulated autophagy

Autophagy. 2023 Jun;19(6):1885-1886. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2146893. Epub 2022 Nov 21.

Abstract

Extracellular pathogens utilize secreted virulence factors to regulate host cell function. Recently we characterized the molecular mechanism behind host macroautophagy/autophagy regulation by the Vibrio cholerae toxin MakA. Cholesterol binding at the plasma membrane induces MakA endocytosis and pH-dependent pore assembly. Membrane perforation of late endosomal membranes induces cellular membrane repair pathways and V-ATPase-dependent unconventional LC3 lipidation on damaged membranes.

Keywords: Cholesterol; MakA; Vibrio cholerae; non-canonical autophagy; pore-forming toxin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autophagy*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Phagocytosis
  • Vibrio cholerae* / chemistry
  • Vibrio cholerae* / metabolism
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Virulence Factors
  • Bacterial Proteins

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the HORIZON 2020 European Research Council [ChemBioAP]; Vetenskapsrådet [2018-04585]; Knut och Alice Wallenbergs Stiftelse; Göran Gustafssons Stiftelse för naturvetenskaplig och medicinsk forskning.