Abstract
Bacterial protein toxins are important virulence factors. A particular class of toxins, the pore-form toxins (PFTs), shares the toxigenic mechanism of forming pores in the membrane of target cells. The relationship between autophagy and bacterial PFTs has been described for several toxin-secreting pathogens and in this review we have recapitulated the more recent findings on this issue. A common outcome is that the target cell, by a yet non-completely defined mechanism, senses the toxin attack and builds up complex responses as a protective mechanism for host survival. However, in some cases, this cellular response is beneficial to the microorganism by supplying an intracellular niche or by promoting host-cell death, which facilitates pathogen spreading.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Autophagy / genetics*
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Bacterial Toxins / metabolism
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Bacterial Toxins / toxicity*
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Cell Membrane / chemistry
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Cell Membrane / drug effects
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Cell Membrane / metabolism
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Cell Survival / genetics
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / metabolism*
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / pathogenicity
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Gram-Positive Bacteria / metabolism*
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Gram-Positive Bacteria / pathogenicity
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HeLa Cells
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Host-Pathogen Interactions
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Humans
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Phagosomes / drug effects
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Phagosomes / metabolism
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Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins / metabolism
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Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins / toxicity*
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Signal Transduction / drug effects
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Virulence Factors / metabolism
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Virulence Factors / toxicity*
Substances
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Bacterial Toxins
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Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins
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Virulence Factors