Nanofibres induce remodelling of cell membranes

Dutcher, John R.

doi:10.1038/d41586-018-07261-9

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05 November 2018

Nanofibres induce remodelling of cell membranes

A nanometre-scale mechanism has been proposed to explain how bacteria improve their grip on human cells. The findings have implications for drug discovery, and might inspire biomimetic applications such as adhesives.

John R. Dutcher ⁰

John R. Dutcher
1. John R. Dutcher is in the Department of Physics and the Biophysics Interdepartmental Group, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
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Biological membranes serve as the barrier between cells and their surrounding environment, and regulate the transfer of ions and small molecules into and out of cells. Because of their central role in proper cellular operation, membranes are a target for many disease-causing microorganisms¹. Writing in Nature Communications, Charles-Orszag et al.² propose a previously unknown mechanism by which one such pathogenic bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcus), rearranges the outer plasma membrane of host cells to improve its adhesion to the cells. Achieving improved cell adhesion is a key step in host infection, which in humans can lead to septic shock and meningitis³.

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Nature 563, 481-482 (2018)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-018-07261-9

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