Question

The pathogen listeria monocytogenes produces exotoxins that disrupt membranes. what is the purpose of the membrane disruption caused by listeria monocytogenes?

a. to produce signaling molecules that activate host cell cytokine production
b. to increase the permeability of the host's capillaries in order to increase nutrient availability to the bacteria
c. to allow the bacteria to escape the phagosome and grow in the cytoplasm of the host
d. to kill the host cell

Answer 1

The purpose of membrane disruption by L. monocytogenes is to allow the bacteria to escape the phagosome and grow in the host cell's cytoplasm, moving from cell to cell using the host's actin cytoskeleton.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pathogen Listeria monocytogenes produces exotoxins, such as listeriolysin O (LLO), that disrupt membranes to facilitate its virulence. The purpose of the membrane disruption caused by Listeria monocytogenes is to allow the bacteria to escape the phagosome and grow in the cytoplasm of the host cell. Once inside the cytoplasm, the bacteria can utilize actin assembly-inducing protein (ActA) to move around and spread from cell to cell, thus evading the host's immune defenses and facilitating systemic infection.