title: Plasma membrane reorganization: A glycolipid gateway for microbes.
abstract: Ligand-receptor interactions, which represent the core for cell signaling and internalization processes are largely affected by the spatial configuration of host cell receptors. There is a growing piece of evidence that receptors are not homogeneously distributed within the plasma membrane, but are rather pre-clustered in nanodomains, or clusters are formed upon ligand binding. Pathogens have evolved many strategies to evade the host immune system and to ensure their survival by hijacking plasma membrane receptors that are most often associated with lipid rafts. In this review, we discuss the early stage molecular and physiological events that occur following ligand binding to host cell glycolipids. The ability of various biological ligands (e.g. toxins, lectins, viruses or bacteria) that bind to glycolipids to induce their own uptake into mammalian cells by creating negative membrane curvature and membrane invaginations is explored. We highlight recent trends in understanding nanoscale plasma membrane (re-)organization and present the benefits of using synthetic membrane systems. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Nanoscale membrane organisation and signalling.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraβe 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Molecular and Cellular Biology (IMPRS-MCB), Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108 Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: aigal@ie-freiburg.mpg.de.
authors.forename: Sahaja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aigal
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraβe 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Claudinon
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestraβe 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: winfried.roemer@bioss.uni-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Winfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Römer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D004705:Endocytosis; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands
chemical_list: D006017:Glycolipids; D006023:Glycoproteins; D008024:Ligands
keywords: Bacterium; Lipid rafts; Membrane invagination; Receptor clustering; Toxin; Virus