title: Making connections: snapshots of chlamydial type III secretion systems in contact with host membranes.
abstract: Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens with an unusual biphasic lifecycle, which is underpinned by two bacterial forms of distinct structure and function. Bacterial entry and replication require a type III secretion system (T3SS), a widely conserved nanomachine responsible for the translocation of virulence effectors into host cells. Recent cell biology experiments supported by electron and cryo-electron tomography have provided fresh insights into Chlamydia-host interactions. In this review, we highlight some of the recent advances, particularly the in situ analysis of T3SSs in contact with host membranes during chlamydial entry and intracellular replication, and the role of the host rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) at the recently described intracellular 'pathogen synapse'.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London & Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK.
authors.forename: Maud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dumoux
authors.affiliation: Crystallography, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nans
authors.affiliation: Crystallography, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK.
authors.forename: Helen R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Saibil
authors.affiliation: Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London & Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK. Electronic address: richard.hayward@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hayward
mesh_terms: D058947:Bacterial Secretion Systems; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002689:Chlamydia / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004705:Endocytosis; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D058947:Bacterial Secretion Systems; D046911:Macromolecular Substances