Invading bacteria take over your cells by flipping their molecular master switches
Pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli hijack human cells by injecting specialized proteins that manipulate molecular master switches, effectively rewriting the host cell’s internal instructions to facilitate infection.
Invasive bacteria use needle-like structures to inject effector proteins directly into human cells. These proteins act as counterfeit keys that flip molecular switches called Rho GTPases, which normally control the cell’s structural framework. By seizing control, the bacteria force the cell membrane to ruffle and swallow the invaders whole.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraph · plus a 4-question quiz