Abstract
The type III secretion system (T3SS) is employed by a number of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens to inject toxins into eukaryotic cells. The biogenesis of this complex machinery requires the regulated interaction between over 20 cytosolic, periplasmic, and membrane-imbedded proteins, many of which undergo processes such as polymerization, partner recognition, and partial unfolding. Elements of this intricate macromolecular system have been characterized through electron microscopy, crystallography, and NMR techniques, allowing for an initial understanding of the spatiotemporal regulation of T3SS-related events. Here, we report recent advances in the structural characterization of T3SS proteins from a number of bacteria, and provide an overview of recently identified small molecule T3SS inhibitors that could potentially be explored for novel antibacterial development.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
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Bacterial Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
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Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
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Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
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Bacterial Toxins / metabolism*
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Crystallography, X-Ray
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Eukaryotic Cells / microbiology
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / chemistry*
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / metabolism*
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / pathogenicity
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Humans
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Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
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Membrane Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
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Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism
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Microscopy, Electron
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Models, Molecular
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Multiprotein Complexes / antagonists & inhibitors
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Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry*
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Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
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Plants / microbiology
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Polymerization / drug effects
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Bacterial Proteins
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Bacterial Toxins
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Membrane Proteins
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Multiprotein Complexes