Signaling During Pathogen Infection

Sylvia Münter¹, Michael Way^2*, and Freddy Frischknecht^1*

¹Department of Parasitology, Hygiene Institute, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
²Cell Motility Laboratory, Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PX, UK.

Abstract: Over the millennia, pathogens have coevolved with their hosts and acquired the ability to intercept, disrupt, mimic, and usurp numerous signaling pathways of those hosts. The study of host/pathogen interactions thus not only teaches us about the intricate biology of these parasitic invaders but also provides interesting insights into basic cellular processes both at the level of the individual cell and more globally throughout the organism. Host/pathogen relationships also provide insights into the evolutionary forces that shape biological diversity. Here we review a few recent examples of how viruses, bacteria, and parasites manipulate tyrosine kinase–mediated and Rho guanosine triphosphatase–mediated signaling pathways of their hosts to achieve efficient entry, replication, and exit during their infectious cycles.

*Corresponding authors. Telephone, 49-6221-566537; fax, 49-6221-564643; e-mail, freddy.frischknecht{at}med.uni-heidelberg.de (F.F.); telephone, 44-207-269 3733; fax, 44-207-269 3581; e-mail, Michael.Way{at}cancer.org.uk (M.W.)

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