A 'Secreted Army' for the Invasion and Survival of Legionella pneumophila Within Host Cells
Elisabeth Kay, Virginie Lelogeais, Sophie Jarraud and Christophe Gilbert and Patricia Doublet
from: Legionellosis Diagnosis and Control in the Genomic Era (Edited by: Jacob Moran-Gilad and Rachel E. Gibbs). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2020) Pages: 77-138.
Abstract
Intracellular multiplication within protozoans is an essential step in the emergence of pathogenic Legionella pneumophila strains. Key features of intracellular survival and multiplication are secretion systems propelling virulence factors and other important substances into their surroundings. These systems are highly diverse and likely contribute to the versatility of Legionella species which replicate in a wide spectrum of hosts. This chapter discusses secretion systems with emphasis on the highly conserved Dot/Icm T4BSS and its regulators. First, the unique features of each type of secretion system employed by Legionella is described. Then, a review of the current knowledge about the Dot/ICM T4BSS highlighting the cohort of secreted proteins which determine the intracellular fate of Legionella is presented. In addition, regulators coordinating responses to environmental cues and determining virulence will be discussed. This shows how Legionella is an excellent model for the study of intracellular pathogens, as they survive inside a wide variety of hosts and even manipulate the intracellular environment to increase virulence read more ...
