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Salmonella interactions with host cells: type III secretion at work.
1Section of Microbial Pathogenesis, Boyer Center for Molecular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06536, USA. jorge.galan@yale.edu
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
|November 1, 2001
Summary
Salmonella enterica uses specialized type III secretion systems to inject proteins into host cells, mimicking host functions for survival. This interaction offers insights into bacterial pathogenesis and host cell biology.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Salmonella enterica possesses sophisticated host-pathogen interactions.
- Type III secretion systems (T3SS) are key organelles for bacterial virulence.
- T3SS translocate bacterial proteins into host cells, modulating cellular functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional interface between Salmonella and vertebrate hosts.
- To understand the role of type III secretion systems in bacterial pathogenesis.
- To explore how bacterial proteins mimic host functions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Salmonella enterica's type III secretion systems.
- Investigating the translocation of bacterial effector proteins.
- Studying the modulation of host cell functions (e.g., actin cytoskeleton, nuclear responses, endocytic trafficking).
Main Results:
- Salmonella utilizes two T3SS to deliver effector proteins.
- These effectors mimic host proteins, indicating convergent evolution.
- Bacterial proteins manipulate host cell dynamics for pathogen survival.
Conclusions:
- Coordinated T3SS effectors ensure Salmonella replication and survival.
- This pathogen provides insights into microbial pathogenesis.
- Studying Salmonella enhances understanding of host cell biology.