Many bacterial pathogens subvert mammalian type IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in order to induce their internalization into host cells. How PI3K promotes internalization is not well understood. Also unclear is whether type IA PI3K affects different pathogens through similar or distinct mechanisms. Here, we performed an RNA interference (RNAi)-based screen to identify components of the type IA PI3K pathway involved in invasin-mediated entry of Yersinia enterocolitica, an enteropathogen that causes enteritis and lymphadenitis. The 69 genes targeted encode known upstream regulators or downstream effectors of PI3K. A similar RNAi screen was previously performed with the food-borne bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The results of the screen with Y. enterocolitica indicate that at least nine members of the PI3K pathway are needed for invasin-mediated entry. Several of these proteins, including centaurin-␣1, Dock180, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Grp1, LL5␣, LL5, and PLD2 (phospholipase D2), were recruited to sites of entry. In addition, centaurin-␣1, FAK, PLD2, and mTOR were required for remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton during entry. Six of the human proteins affecting invasin-dependent internalization also promote InlBmediated entry of L. monocytogenes. Our results identify several host proteins that mediate invasin-induced effects on the actin cytoskeleton and indicate that a subset of PI3K pathway components promote internalization of both Y. enterocolitica and L. monocytogenes.
Many microbial pathogens exploit host signal transduction pathways in order to cause disease (1-4). One key pathway subverted by bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens involves a mammalian lipid kinase called type IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) (3). Type IA PI3K plays a critical role in internalization of several pathogens into host cells. These microbes include bacteria that cause anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) (5), respiratory infections (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Chlamydia pneumoniae) (6, 7), and food-borne disease (Campylobacter jejuni and Listeria monocytogenes) (3,4,8). Type IA PI3K also promotes entry of Ebola virus (9), influenza A virus (10), and parasites causing Chagas' disease (Trypanosoma cruzi) (11) or toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) (12). Overall, the mechanism by which this mammalian lipid kinase controls infection by these diverse pathogens is not well understood.Mammalian type IA PI3K is an heterodimeric enzyme composed of a 110-kDa catalytic subunit and a 85-kDa regulatory subunit (13). This PI3K is coupled to growth factor, cytokine, or cell adhesion receptors and controls a variety of processes, including cell growth, survival, and motility (13,14). Type IA PI3K promotes its biological effects through at least two mechanisms, the best understood of which involves lipid kinase activity. This PI3K produces phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PI(3,4,5)P 3 ], a lipid second messenger. PI(3,4,5)P 3 is converted by phosphatases to phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate [PI(3,4)P 2 ]. Together, PI(3,4,5...