Enteropathogenic E-Coli, Salmonella, and Shigella: Masters of host cell cytoskeletal exploitation

Bacterial pathogens have evolved numerous strategies to exploit their host' s cellular processes so that they can survive and persist. Often, a bacteri um must adhere very tightly to the cells and mediate its effects extracellu larly, or it must find a way to invade the host's cells and survive intrace llularly. In either case, the pathogen hijacks the host's cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton provides a flexible framework for the cell and is involved in mediating numerous cellular functions, from cell shape and structure to pr ogrammed cell death. Altering the host cytoskeleton is crucial for mediatin g pathogen adherence, invasion, and intracellular locomotion, We highlight recent advances in the pathogenesis of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, S almonella Typhimurium, and Shigella flexneri Each illustrates how bacterial pathogens can exert dramatic effects on the host cytoskeleton.