{
  "id": 13613958,
  "title": "Macrophage DYRK1A is broadly required for bacterial phagocytosis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/macrophage-dyrk1a-is-broadly-required-for-bacterial-phagocytosis",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-10T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.09.758040v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can lead to the severe illness listeriosis. Macrophages play a crucial role in the outcome of L. monocytogenes infection, but the specific host factors involved in bacterial uptake have not been fully understood. In a prior genome-wide screen, researchers identified the macrophage kinase DYRK1A as a potential factor influencing L. monocytogenes infection.\n\nThrough various approaches, the current study reveals that DYRK1A is essential for efficient internalization of L. monocytogenes by macrophages. It appears to act early in the infection process, primarily by promoting bacterial attachment to the macrophage surface. Genomic analysis of DYRK1A-deficient macrophages shows a reduction in the abundance of genes encoding membrane-associated proteins and components of innate immune and phagocytic pathways, suggesting a transcriptional basis for the observed attachment defect.\n\nThe role of DYRK1A extends beyond L. monocytogenes uptake to include the Fc receptor pathway and additional bacterial species across multiple genera, indicating a broad role in macrophage phagocytosis. Together, these findings highlight a previously unrecognized function of the host factor DYRK1A in macrophage phagocytosis, expanding its role beyond its established associations with neurodevelopment and cancer to innate immune defense.",
  "summary": "Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular foodborne pathogen that causes the serious illness listeriosis. Macrophages are central to the outcome of L. monocytogenes infection, yet the host requirements that facilitate bacterial uptake remain incompletely understood. In a previous genome-wide screen for macrophage factors that influence L. monocytogenes infection, we identified the macrophage…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}