Legionella Pneumophila

Eukaryotic cells such as macrophages have the ability to go through the process of phagocytosis in order to ingest different harmful bacteria such as Legionella pneumophila. Macrophages ingest these bacteria in order to digest them, however, the Legionella pneumophila containing phagosomes (LCPs) avoid the lysosomes of the cell by replicating and converting the phagosome into an endoplasmic reticulum derived organelle with the aid of Sar1 and ADP-ribosylation (ARF). Sar1 and ARF are GTPases that control the production of the vesicles COPII- and COPI-. From there the bacterium attracts the host vesicles to bind to the membrane of the phagosome and then they also bring in resident ER proteins as well. The Legionella pneumophila increases its chance for survival in the host cell through the Dot secretion system. The Dot system aids in the bacterial cells survival by secreting the bacterial cell proteins into the host where they then interfere with the functions of the host cell to ensure that …show more content…
The researchers presented several different results and data findings which supported their proposed questions. For example, the researchers ultimately came to the conclusion that the LCPs create replicative organelles by intercepting early secretory vesicles in order to prevent eradication from the host cell. I think that there could be additional research performed and an additional experiment conducted based off of information that was found in the initial experiment. In the discussion, the researchers present the idea that it may be possible for the Legionella pneumophila to use a pathway to get to the ER without the use of early secretory vesicles. By conducting an experiment to determine the validity of this possibility the researchers would be further developing the understanding of how the Legionella pneumophila replicated intracellularly and avoids