Question

Which of the following strategies is used by Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that causes meningitis, to avoid being destroyed by a lysosome's fusion with the phagosome in which it was ingested?

1) The bacterium allows fusion with the lysosome, but the acidic pH cannot destroy it.
2) The bacterium inhibits fusion of the phagosome with a lysosome.
3) The bacterium allows fusion with the lysosome, but the lysosomal enzymes cannot destroy it.
4) The bacterium produces proteins that destroy lysosomal membrane integrity so that the bacterium can escape into the cell cytosol.
5) The bacterium neutralizes the enzymes in the lysosome.

Answer 1

The bacterium produces proteins that destroy lysosomal membrane integrity so that the bacterium can escape into the cell cytosol. (option 4)

Step-by-step explanation:

Listeria monocytogenes utilizes a sophisticated strategy to evade lysosomal destruction. This bacterium produces proteins that target and compromise the integrity of the lysosomal membrane. By doing so, Listeria can escape the phagosome and enter the cell cytosol, where it can replicate and avoid the harsh environment of the lysosome. This mechanism allows the bacterium to evade lysosomal degradation and enhances its survival within host cells.

Listeria's ability to disrupt lysosomal membranes highlights its adaptation to the intracellular environment, enabling it to navigate and exploit host cell machinery for its survival and replication. Understanding these evasion strategies is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic approaches to combat Listeria infections.

Listeria monocytogenes' capacity to manipulate lysosomal membranes underscores its sophisticated survival tactics within host cells. Unraveling these evasion mechanisms is vital for advancing our knowledge of bacterial pathogenesis and developing effective strategies to counteract Listeria infections.