title: UnZIPping mechanisms of effector-triggered immunity in animals.
abstract: The mechanisms by which epithelial cells distinguish pathogens from commensal microbes have long puzzled us. Now, McEwan et al. (2012) and Dunbar et al. (2012), in this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, demonstrate that in C. elegans, microbial toxin-induced inhibition of host cellular functions, especially blockade of protein translation, activates the effector-triggered immune response dependent on the transcription factor ZIP-2.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
authors.forename: Anni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kleino
authors.forename: Neal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Silverman