Life of Listeria monocytogenes in the host cells' cytosol

In the past decades impressive knowledge has been accumulated concerning the basic mechanisms of interactions between intracellular bacteria and their host cells. Comparatively little is known on the metabolic requirements necessary for efficient replication of these bacteria within their specific host cell compartments. Recent developments in functional genomics have led to more extensive studies of the metabolic aspects that may be crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of intracellular bacteria. Here we summarize our present knowledge on the physiology of L. monocytogenes with emphasis on those parts that seem to be important for its ability to replicate in the cytosol of mammalian host cells. (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.