Is it true that bacteria sticks to glycoproteins and make their way into the cell?

Answer 1

Yes. It is the sugars that are attached to the cell membrane (glycoprotein = sugar + protein) that control many membrane functions including the attachment of bacteria, viruses, lectins, hormones, enzymes, and many toxins.

Answer 2

Hi:

This is true of some bacteria that invade the host cells. True, glycoproteins can act as receptors but they are not the only type. LPS components and even proteins by themselves can act as receptors for the invasion.

When bacteria like Staphylococcus want to invade epithelial cells, they do use glycoproteins, but in cases like Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), LPS components are used.
I have tried to be as short and simple as possible in explaining.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!

Answer 3

Bacteria ending up inside of host cells requires 2 things: contact and invasion.

Some bacteria can bind to glycoproteins, which brings them into contact with host cells. Others use things such as type 4 pili, or all sorts of different fimbriae to adhere to host cells.

Bacteria have evolved a number of mechanisms to invade cells.

They can use type 3 secretion needles to induce membrane ruffles and actin polymerization which results in their invasion.

Some bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Burkholderia mallei/pseudomallei) are capable of directing host actin to polymerize and force themselves into adjacent host cells.

Some bacteria also gain access to host cells by being phagocytosed (Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus anthracis spores), and escaping the phagosome (C. perfringens) in order to avoid destruction.