Protein-Injection Machines in Bacteria

Publication date: 8 March 2018 Source:Cell, Volume 172, Issue 6 Author(s): Jorge E. Galán, Gabriel Waksman Many bacteria have evolved specialized nanomachines with the remarkable ability to inject multiple bacterially encoded effector proteins into eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells. Known as type III, type IV, and type VI secretion systems, these machines play a central role in the pathogenic or symbiotic interactions between multiple bacteria and their eukaryotic hosts, or in the establishment of bacterial communities in a diversity of environments. Here we focus on recent progress elucidating the structure and assembly pathways of these machines. As many of the interactions shaped by these machines are of medical importance, they provide an opportunity to develop novel therapeutic approaches to combat important human diseases. Teaser Bacteria use multicomponent secretion systems to push effectors, DNA or proteins, into adjacent target cells. Recent structural insights into how these machines work offer new avenues for understanding both pathogenesis and microbial communication.

Source: Cell - March 9, 2018 Category: Cytology Source Type: research