Open AccessSurface organelles assembled by secretion systems of G ram‐negative bacteria: diversity in structure and function
Author(s) -
Thanassi David G.,
Bliska James B.,
Christie Peter J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems microbiology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.91
H-Index - 212
eISSN - 1574-6976
pISSN - 0168-6445
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2012.00342.x
Subject(s) - secretion , pilus , organelle , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , effector , gram negative bacteria , chaperone (clinical) , type three secretion system , escherichia coli , biochemistry , virulence , genetics , medicine , pathology , gene
G ram‐negative bacteria express a wide variety of organelles on their cell surface. These surface structures may be the end products of secretion systems, such as the hair‐like fibers assembled by the chaperone/usher ( CU ) and type IV pilus pathways, which generally function in adhesion to surfaces and bacterial–bacterial and bacterial–host interactions. Alternatively, the surface organelles may be integral components of the secretion machinery itself, such as the needle complex and pilus extensions formed by the type III and type IV secretion systems, which function in the delivery of bacterial effectors inside host cells. Bacterial surface structures perform functions critical for pathogenesis and have evolved to withstand forces exerted by the external environment and cope with defenses mounted by the host immune system. Given their essential roles in pathogenesis and exposed nature, bacterial surface structures also make attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. This review will describe the structure and function of surface organelles assembled by four different G ram‐negative bacterial secretion systems: the CU pathway, the type IV pilus pathway, and the type III and type IV secretion systems.