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The Yersinia Ysc-Yop virulence apparatus
1Microbial Pathogenesis Unit, Christian de Duve Institute of Cellular Pathology (ICP) and Faculté de Médecine, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. guy.cornelis@unibas.ch
International Journal of Medical Microbiology : IJMM
|March 14, 2002
Summary
The Yersinia Yop virulon injects bacterial toxins into host cells using a type III secretion system. These Yop proteins disrupt host cell functions, including cytoskeleton and inflammatory pathways.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The Yop virulon is a complex system used by Yersinia bacteria for host cell invasion.
- It comprises the Ysc injectisome and secreted Yop proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the structure and function of the Yop virulon.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which Yersinia effectors manipulate host cell processes.
Main Methods:
- Structural analysis of the Ysc injectisome.
- Biochemical assays to determine Yop protein functions.
- Cellular assays to observe host cell responses to Yop injection.
Main Results:
- The Ysc injectisome is a multi-protein structure facilitating effector translocation.
- YopB, YopD, and LcrV mediate pore formation in the host cell membrane.
- Specific Yops (YopE, YopT, YpkA, YopH) target Rho GTPases, disrupting cytoskeleton dynamics.
- YopP inhibits inflammatory pathways (NF-kappaB, MAPK) and acts as a SUMO protease.
- YopM translocates to the host cell nucleus.
Conclusions:
- The Yop virulon is a sophisticated virulence system enabling Yersinia to subvert host cell functions.
- Yersinia employs diverse Yop effectors to modulate host cell cytoskeleton, immunity, and nuclear processes.