Cdc42 - A tryst between host cholesterol metabolism and infection.

Dmitri Sviridov; Nigora Mukhamedova
Abstract
Emerging evidence points to an important connection between pathogenesis of intracellular infections and host cholesterol metabolism. In our study we demonstrated that human cytomegalovirus exploits host small GTPase Cdc42 to hijack cellular cholesterol efflux pathway. It appears that the virus uses host machinery to stimulate cholesterol efflux by modifying lipid rafts and altering properties of plasma membrane, but the altered pathway is controlled by the viral protein US28 instead of the host ATP binding cassette transporter A1. We speculate that virus-controlled remodeling of plasma membrane facilitates immune evasion, exocytosis of viral proteins and cell-to-cell transmission of human cytomegalovirus. These mechanisms may be not unique for the cytomegalovirus and subverting reverse cholesterol transport pathway may be a generic mechanism used by pathogens to alter properties of host plasma membrane adapting it for their purposes-to hide and disseminate.
Journal SMALL GTPASES
ISSN 2154-1256
Published 04 May 2018
Volume 9
Issue 3
Pages 237-241
DOI 10.1080/21541248.2016.1223533
Type Journal Article | Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't | Review
Sponsorship