Dynamic Growth and Shrinkage of the Salmonella-Containing Vacuole Determines the Intracellular Pathogen Niche

Summary Salmonella is a human and animal pathogen that causes gastro-enteric diseases. The key to Salmonella infection is its entry into intestinal epithelial cells, where the bacterium resides within a Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV). Salmonella entry also induces the formation of empty macropinosomes, distinct from the SCV, in the vicinity of the entering bacteria. A few minutes after its formation, the SCV increases in size through fusions with the surrounding macropinosomes. Salmonella also induces membrane tubules that emanate from the SCV and lead to SCV shrinkage. Here, we show that these antipodal events are utilized by Salmonella to either establish a vacuolar niche or to be released into the cytosol by SCV rupture. We identify the molecular machinery underlying dynamic SCV growth and shrinkage. In particular, the SNARE proteins SNAP25 and STX4 participate in SCV inflation by fusion with macropinosomes. Thus, host compartment size control emerges as a pathogen strategy for intracellular niche regulation.
Graphical Abstract
Highlights • The early SCV simultaneously grows and shrinks through fusion and tubule formation • SCV shrinkage promotes vacuolar rupture and cytosolic release • IAMs are enriched in the host SNAREs SNAP25 and STX4, enabling IAM-SCV fusion • Promoting SNX1-mediated tubule formation, SopB fosters SCV ruptures
When infecting epithelial cells, Salmonella can reside and replicate within vacuolar or cytosolic niches. These co-existing lifestyles provide alternative survival strategies for the bacteria. Stévenin et al. show that the balance between dynamic growth and shrinkage of the Salmonella-containing vacuole determines vacuolar maintenance or rupture and controls the pathogen niche.