Mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery?
The WxxxE family of bacterial effector proteins is thought to manipulate host signaling pathways by directly mimicking activated cellular GTPases. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Ohlson et al. (2008) reveal that the structure of one such effector, Salmonella SifA, closely resembles that of an activator of endogenous GTPases.
Hume
Peter J
PJ
University of Cambridge, Department of Pathology, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.
Koronakis
Vassilis
V
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; C421862:SifA protein, Salmonella; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins