title: The versatile bacterial type IV secretion systems.
abstract: Bacteria use type IV secretion systems for two fundamental objectives related to pathogenesis--genetic exchange and the delivery of effector molecules to eukaryotic target cells. Whereas gene acquisition is an important adaptive mechanism that enables pathogens to cope with a changing environment during invasion of the host, interactions between effector and host molecules can suppress defence mechanisms, facilitate intracellular growth and even induce the synthesis of nutrients that are beneficial to bacterial colonization. Rapid progress has been made towards defining the structures and functions of type IV secretion machines, identifying the effector molecules, and elucidating the mechanisms by which the translocated effectors subvert eukaryotic cellular processes during infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cascales
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Christie
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001692:Biological Transport; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins