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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Layers of Symbiosis - Visualizing the Termite Hindgut Microbial Community
Published on: May 28, 2007
Microbiology. Unlocking the secrets of the grim reaper
Abstract:
On page 1594, researchers unveil the workings of YopJ, one of a group of nefarious proteins that Yersinia bacteria--including Y. pestis, the bacterium that is infamous for causing the bubonic plague--deploy. Early in the disease, Yersinia bacteria inject YopJ into macrophage cells of the immune system, where, the researchers have now found, YopJ acts like scissors, cleaving the macrophage proteins that would normally send an SOS to other immune cells for help. Leaving the macrophage stranded clears the way for other Yersinia proteins to destroy the cell.
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