Structure and function of the Type III secretion system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

M Galle, I Carpentier, R Beyaert - Current protein and peptide …, 2012 - ingentaconnect.com
M Galle, I Carpentier, R Beyaert
Current protein and peptide science, 2012ingentaconnect.com
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a dangerous pathogen particularly because it harbors multiple
virulence factors. It causes several types of infection, including dermatitis, endocarditis, and
infections of the urinary tract, eye, ear, bone, joints and, of particular interest, the respiratory
tract. Patients with cystic fibrosis, who are extremely susceptible to Pseudomonas infections,
have a bad prognosis and high mortality. An important virulence factor of P. aeruginosa,
shared with many other gram-negative bacteria, is the type III secretion system, a hollow …
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a dangerous pathogen particularly because it harbors multiple virulence factors. It causes several types of infection, including dermatitis, endocarditis, and infections of the urinary tract, eye, ear, bone, joints and, of particular interest, the respiratory tract. Patients with cystic fibrosis, who are extremely susceptible to Pseudomonas infections, have a bad prognosis and high mortality. An important virulence factor of P. aeruginosa, shared with many other gram-negative bacteria, is the type III secretion system, a hollow molecular needle that transfers effector toxins directly from the bacterium into the host cell cytosol. This complex macromolecular machine works in a highly regulated manner and can manipulate the host cell in many different ways. Here we review the current knowledge of the structure of the P. aeruginosa T3SS, as well as its function and recognition by the immune system. Furthermore, we describe recent progress in the development and use of therapeutic agents targeting the T3SS.
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