Secretion of virulence determinants by the general secretory pathway in Gram-negative pathogens: An evolving story

Christos Stathopoulos, David R. Hendrixson, David G. Thanassi, Scott J. Hultgren, Joseph W. St. Geme, Roy Curtiss

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

127 Scopus citations

Abstract

Secretion of proteins by the general secretory pathway (GSP) is a two- step process requiring the Sec translocase in the inner membrane and a separate substrate-specific secretion apparatus for translocation across the outer membrane. Gram-negative bacteria with pathogenic potential use the GSP to deliver virulence factors into the extracellular environment for interaction with the host. Well-studied examples of virulence determinants using the GSP for secretion include extracellular toxins, pili, curli, autotransporters, and crystaline S-layers. This article reviews our current understanding of the GSP and discusses examples of terminal branches of the GSP which are utilized by factors implicated in bacterial virulence. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1061-1072
Number of pages12
JournalMicrobes and Infection
Volume2
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Autotransporters
  • Curli
  • Elsevier SAS Gram-negative bacteria
  • General secretory pathway
  • Pili
  • Pullulanase
  • S-layers
  • Sec translocase
  • Toxins

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

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