Mitochondrial respiration restricts Listeria monocytogenes infection by slowing down host cell receptor recycling.

Mutations in mitochondrial genes impairing energy production cause mitochondrial diseases (MDs), and clinical studies have shown that MD patients are prone to bacterial infections. However, the relationship between mitochondrial (dys)function and infection remains largely unexplored, especially in epithelial cells, the first barrier to many pathogens. Here, we generate an epithelial cell model for one of the most common mitochondrial diseases, Leigh syndrome, by deleting surfeit locus protein 1 (SURF1), an assembly factor for respiratory chain complex IV. We use this genetic model and a complementary, nutrient-based approach to modulate mitochondrial respiration rates and show that impaired mitochondrial respiration favors entry of the human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, a well-established bacterial infection model. Reversely, enhanced mitochondrial energy metabolism decreases infection efficiency. We further demonstrate that endocytic recycling is reduced in mitochondrial respiration-dependent cells, dampening L. monocytogenes infection by slowing the recycling of its host cell receptor c-Met, highlighting a previously undescribed role of mitochondrial respiration during infection.

Listeria monocytogenes Exploits Mitochondrial Contact Site and Cristae Organizing System Complex Subunit Mic10 To Promote Mitochondrial Fragmentation and Cellular Infection.

Mitochondrial function adapts to cellular demands and is affected by the ability of the organelle to undergo fusion and fission in response to physiological and nonphysiological cues. We previously showed that infection with the human bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes elicits transient mitochondrial fission and a drop in mitochondrion-dependent energy production through a mechanism requiring the bacterial pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO). Here, we performed quantitative mitochondrial proteomics to search for host factors involved in L. monocytogenes-induced mitochondrial fission. We found that Mic10, a critical component of the mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) complex, is significantly enriched in mitochondria isolated from cells infected with wild-type but not with LLO-deficient L. monocytogenes Increased mitochondrial Mic10 levels did not correlate with upregulated transcription, suggesting a posttranscriptional mechanism. We then showed that Mic10 is necessary for L. monocytogenes-induced mitochondrial network fragmentation and that it contributes to L. monocytogenes cellular infection independently of MICOS proteins Mic13, Mic26, and Mic27. In conclusion, investigation of L. monocytogenes infection allowed us to uncover a role for Mic10 in mitochondrial fission.IMPORTANCE Pathogenic bacteria can target host cell organelles to take control of key cellular processes and promote their intracellular survival, growth, and persistence. Mitochondria are essential, highly dynamic organelles with pivotal roles in a wide variety of cell functions. Mitochondrial dynamics and function are intimately linked. Our previous research showed that Listeria monocytogenes infection impairs mitochondrial function and triggers fission of the mitochondrial network at an early infection stage, in a process that is independent of the presence of the main mitochondrial fission protein Drp1. Here, we analyzed how mitochondrial proteins change in response to L. monocytogenes infection and found that infection raises the levels of Mic10, a mitochondrial inner membrane protein involved in formation of cristae. We show that Mic10 is important for L. monocytogenes-dependent mitochondrial fission and infection of host cells. Our findings thus offer new insight into the mechanisms used by L. monocytogenes to hijack mitochondria to optimize host infection.

Interaction between Intracellular Bacterial Pathogens and Host Cell Mitochondria.

Mitochondria are essential and highly dynamic organelles whose morphology is determined by a steady-state balance between fusion and fission. Mitochondrial morphology and function are tightly connected. Because they are involved in many important cellular processes, including energy production, cell-autonomous immunity, and apoptosis, mitochondria present an attractive target for pathogens. Here, we explore the relationship between host cell mitochondria and intracellular bacteria, with a focus on mitochondrial morphology and function, as well as apoptosis. Modulation of apoptosis can allow bacteria to establish their replicative niche or support bacterial dissemination. Furthermore, bacteria can manipulate mitochondrial morphology and function through secreted effector proteins and can also contribute to the establishment of a successful infection, e.g., by favoring access to nutrients and/or evasion of the immune system.