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The general secretory pathway: a general misnomer?
Mickaël Desvaux1, Nicholas J Parham, Anthony Scott-Tucker
1Institute for Biomedical Research, The University of Birmingham-The Medical School, Division of Immunity and Infection, Bacterial Pathogenesis and Genomics Unit, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK B15 2TT. m.desvaux@bham.ac.uk
Trends in Microbiology
|June 30, 2004
Summary
The general secretory pathway (GSP) term is misused. This study clarifies bacterial protein secretion pathways, including GEP and MTB, to correct misunderstandings and prevent future errors.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The term general secretory pathway (GSP) has been inconsistently applied in scientific literature.
- Existing definitions for related pathways like general export pathway (GEP) and main terminal branch (MTB) have contributed to confusion.
- Specific secretion systems (Type II, IV, V) have also been implicated in the terminological ambiguity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a historical perspective on the general secretory pathway (GSP).
- To clarify the definitions and relationships between bacterial protein secretion pathways.
- To correct the misuse of terminology in the field of bacterial protein secretion.
Main Methods:
- Historical literature review of bacterial protein secretion pathways.
- Analysis of existing definitions for GSP, GEP, MTB, and secretion systems (Type II, IV, V).
- Integration of novel findings in bacterial protein secretion.
Main Results:
- The term GSP has been frequently misused, leading to significant confusion.
- The definitions of GEP, MTB, and specific secretion pathways have fueled this ambiguity.
- Novel findings highlight the need for precise terminology.
Conclusions:
- Correcting the misuse of the general secretory pathway (GSP) terminology is crucial for scientific clarity.
- A unified nomenclature for bacterial protein secretion pathways is needed.
- Accurate terminology will prevent the promulgation of incorrect scientific information.