The bacterial lectin LecA from P. aeruginosa alters membrane organization by dispersing ordered domains

Abstract The dynamic reorganization of plasma membrane nanodomains (lipid rafts) plays a key role in host cell infection by human pathogens. Bacteria can induce the lipid rafts as result interactions between bacterial lectins and raft glycosphingolipids (GSLs). However, it is still unclear how such trigger initial stage mechanism. Here, we study GSL globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), receptor involved cellular uptake Gram-negative bacterium P. aeruginosa . surface lectin LecA targets Gb3 promotes invasion via zipper We mimic using supported bilayers (SLBs), containing liquid-ordered liquid-disordered domains. observe that domains SLBs disperse upon interaction with LecA, accompanied deformation surface. Our results link triggered infections cells.