title: Structure and function of the Type III secretion system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marlies
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galle
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Carpentier
authors.forename: Rudi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beyaert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D058947:Bacterial Secretion Systems / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D058947:Bacterial Secretion Systems