Escherichia coli type III secretion system 2: a new kind of T3SS?

Vet Res. 2014 Mar 19;45(1):32. doi: 10.1186/1297-9716-45-32.

Abstract

Type III secretion systems (T3SSs) are employed by Gram-negative bacteria to deliver effector proteins into the cytoplasm of infected host cells. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli use a T3SS to deliver effector proteins that result in the creation of the attaching and effacing lesions. The genome sequence of the Escherichia coli pathotype O157:H7 revealed the existence of a gene cluster encoding components of a second type III secretion system, the E. coli type III secretion system 2 (ETT2). Researchers have revealed that, although ETT2 may not be a functional secretion system in most (or all) strains, it still plays an important role in bacterial virulence. This article summarizes current knowledge regarding the E. coli ETT2, including its genetic characteristics, prevalence, function, association with virulence, and prospects for future work.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Secretion Systems*
  • Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli / pathogenicity
  • Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / epidemiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / pathogenicity
  • Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Bacterial Secretion Systems
  • Escherichia coli Proteins