Bacterial cell-surface receptor complexes

Bacterial cell-surface receptor complexes refer to the organized assemblies of proteins on either the bacterial or host cell surface that mediate the initial stages of infection [1, 8]. On the host side, these complexes are often organized within tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs), where tetraspanins like CD9 and CD81 cluster receptors such as integrins, syndecans, and CEACAMs to form adhesion platforms that pathogens co-opt for attachment and entry [2, 6, 11]. On the bacterial side, the term describes multi-protein assemblies such as secretion systems, porin complexes, or adhesin clusters that interact with the host environment [1]. These complexes are critical for signal transduction, nutrient uptake, and pathogenesis, making them significant targets for novel anti-infective therapies [1, 13]. Therapeutic strategies include the use of peptides or antibodies to disrupt host-side receptor clustering or small molecules to inhibit bacterial-side surface proteins, thereby preventing colonization and overcoming traditional antibiotic resistance mechanisms [2, 11].

Other names

Host-cell adhesion platformsTetraspanin-enriched microdomainsBacterial surface receptorsBacterial adhesion complexesHost-pathogen interaction platforms

Disruption of host receptor clustering within tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs) to prevent bacterial adherence, or direct inhibition of bacterial surface proteins to block cell wall synthesis and nutrient uptake.