Host Signal Transduction and Protein Kinases Implicated in Legionella Infection

Modulation of the phosphorylation status of proteins by both kinases and phosphatases plays an important role in cellular signal transduction. Challenge of host cells by Legionella pneumophila manipulates the phosphorylation state of multiple host factors. These changes play roles in bacterial uptake, vacuole modification, cellular survival, and the immune response. In addition to modification by host cell kinases in response to the bacterium, L. pneumophila translocates bacterial kinases into the host cell that may contribute to further signaling modifications. Proper regulation of host cell signaling by L. pneumophila is necessary for its ability to replicate intracellulary, while avoiding host defenses.