铜绿假单胞菌pcr2基因功能的研究

Ⅲ型分泌系统(type Ⅲ secretion system,TTSS)是铜绿假单胞菌的重要致病因子,pcr2基因位于TTSS基因簇中popN操纵子的第三位,有关该基因的具体功能研究还是空白。首先,本研究采用定点诱变方法构建pcr2-突变体,发现TTSS表达和分泌ExoS和ExoT蛋白的能力显著下降,在HeLa细胞感染实验中,ExoS和ExoT蛋白注入细胞的数量明显低于野生型菌株。其次,我们采用细菌双杂交系统研究了Pcr2蛋白与其它蛋白结合的可能性,发现Pcr2蛋白与PscB蛋白一起能够结合PopN蛋白,同时Western blot实验发现Pcr2蛋白能够调控PopN蛋白的分泌。最后,实验发现Pcr2蛋白本身也能够分泌到细胞外,可能与TTSS分泌器的早期形成过程有关。     

铜绿假单胞菌pfm基因对三型分泌系统效应蛋白的影响

[目的]检测铜绿假单胞菌基因pfm对三型分泌系统效应蛋白的影响.[方法]构建pfm基因互补菌株pfmC.提取野生株PAO1、敲除株Δpfm和互补株pfmC的RNA,利用Real-time PCR从转录水平检测效应蛋白ExoS、ExoT和ExoY转录水平的变化.以ExoS为代表,检测细胞内和分泌到细胞外效应蛋白的含量.收集铜绿假单胞菌PAO1、Δpfm和pfmC菌体内和分泌到细胞外的总蛋白,利用ExoS多克隆抗体进行Western杂交,特异检测ExoS的蛋白水平.[结果]与野生型相比,Δpfm中exoS、exoT和exoY转录水平明显降低,而pfmC中这3个蛋白的转录水平得到回补.Δpfm菌体内和分泌到细胞外的ExoS量均明显低于野生株PAO1,pfmC细胞内和细胞外分泌的ExoS蛋白量均得到恢复.[结论]铜绿假单胞菌基因pfm会影响三型分泌系统效应蛋白的水平.     

铜绿假单胞菌popN-突变子Ⅲ型分泌水平及与蛋白酶关系的研究

铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa)Ⅲ型分泌系统(typeⅢsecretion system,TTSS)是重要的细菌致病因子之一,能够将酶蛋白直接注入到宿主细胞内,导致细胞损害的发生。重点研究了TTSS中的popN基因的功能,通过构建popN-突变子,发现该突变子在非诱导条件下,能够分泌酶蛋白,显示popN基因编码的蛋白对TTSS蛋白的分泌具有负调控作用。进一步研究发现,popN-突变子在不同培养基中TTSS的分泌水平存在着显著差异,影响对popN基因的功能的判断。为了解决这一矛盾,从几个方面分析了造成表型差异的可能因素,确定蛋白酶对TTSS分泌蛋白的降解作用,是表型差异存在的主要原因,从而首次系统地阐明popN-突变子在不同培养基中都具有TTSS组成型表达的表型,对于深入研究TTSS的调控机制具有重要意义。     

铜绿假单胞菌popN-突变子Ⅲ型分泌水平及与蛋白酶关系的研究

铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa) Ⅲ型分泌系统(typeⅢ secretion system,TTSS)是重要的细菌致病因子之一,能够将酶蛋白直接注入到宿主细胞内,导致细胞损害的发生。重点研究了TTSS中的popN基因的功能,通过构建popN^-突变子,发现该突变子在非诱导条件下,能够分泌酶蛋白,显示popN基因编码的蛋白对TTSS蛋白的分泌具有负调控作用。进一步研究发现,popN^-突变子在不同培养基中TTSS的分泌水平存在着显著差异,影响对popN基因的功能的判断。为了解决这一矛盾,从几个方面分析了造成表型差异的可能因素,确定蛋白酶对TTSS分泌蛋白的降解作用,是表型差异存在的主要原因,从而首次系统地阐明popN^--突变子在不同培养基中都具有TTSS组成型表达的表型,对于深入研究TTSS的调控机制具有重要意义。     

铜绿假单胞菌popN-突变子Ⅲ型分泌水平及与蛋白酶关系的研究

铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa) Ⅲ型分泌系统(typeⅢ secretion system,TTSS)是重要的细菌致病因子之一,能够将酶蛋白直接注入到宿主细胞内,导致细胞损害的发生。重点研究了TTSS中的popN基因的功能,通过构建popN^-突变子,发现该突变子在非诱导条件下,能够分泌酶蛋白,显示popN基因编码的蛋白对TTSS蛋白的分泌具有负调控作用。进一步研究发现,popN^-突变子在不同培养基中TTSS的分泌水平存在着显著差异,影响对popN基因的功能的判断。为了解决这一矛盾,从几个方面分析了造成表型差异的可能因素,确定蛋白酶对TTSS分泌蛋白的降解作用,是表型差异存在的主要原因,从而首次系统地阐明popN^--突变子在不同培养基中都具有TTSS组成型表达的表型,对于深入研究TTSS的调控机制具有重要意义。     

Ⅲ型分泌系统抑制剂对铜绿假单胞菌PAO1毒性因子的影响

【目的】进一步研究Ⅲ型分泌系统(Type Ⅲ secretion system,TTSS)抑制剂对条件致病菌Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1的TTSS相关蛋白、鞭毛和纤毛等主要毒性因子的影响,评估TTSS抑制剂的防治效果及潜在风险。【方法】构建TTSS效应蛋白合成基因exo Y和exo T转录报告质粒p AT-exo Y、p AT-exo T,并将其转入菌株PAO1中。菌株PAO1(p AT-exo Y)、PAO1(p AT-exo T)与TTSS抑制剂共同培养后,检测exo Y和exo T的表达。通过SDS-PAGE检测TTSS抑制剂对鞭毛结构蛋白Fli C的影响。将PAO1单菌落穿刺接种于含有TTSS抑制剂的1%琼脂糖平板,观察细菌纤毛介导的蹭行运动(Twitching motility)。【结果】转录报告实验结果表明4个TTSS抑制剂可显著抑制exo Y和exo T的转录;化合物TS52、TS53和TS94虽不影响胞内TTSS针状顶端结构蛋白Pcr V的产量,但可抑制Pcr V蛋白的胞外运输。化合物TS53可降低鞭毛结构蛋白Fli C的产生。另外,化合物TS52、TS53和TS88可降低菌株PAO1的蹭行运动能力,但TS94可提高菌株PAO1的这种运动能力。【结论】TTSS抑制剂除通过抑制TTSS表达外,还可能通过影响其它毒性因子如鞭毛的合成、IV型分泌系统介导的蹭行运动等方式影响菌株PAO1致病性。     

小麦TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因的克隆与表达分析

为了探究小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)WRKY基因的功能,采用同源克隆的方法,从小麦品种‘科农199’中克隆得到2个WRKY基因,分别命名为TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2,并对其进行生物信息学分析和不同逆境胁迫下的表达分析。生物信息学分析显示,TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因都含有2个内含子和3个外显子,分别编码206和138个氨基酸,编码蛋白都属于亲水性不稳定非分泌型的核蛋白。系统进化分析表明,TaWRKYⅢ-A37蛋白与其两个同源拷贝的亲缘关系最近,而TaWRKYⅡc-D2蛋白与粗山羊草亲缘关系最近。qRT-PCR结果表明,TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因在小麦根、茎和叶中均有表达,前者在根中表达量最高,后者在叶中表达量最高,二者均在茎中低表达;在苗期TaWRKYⅢ-A37基因受到PEG、H_2O_2和ABA胁迫后表达上调,NaCl处理后4～8 h内表达下调且低于对照表达水平,而且在灌浆期受到PEG、NaCl、H_2O_2和ABA胁迫后表达均上调;苗期TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因在NaCl、H_2O_2和ABA胁迫后表达下调,PEG处理2 h时表达上调且高于对照表达水平,并且在灌浆期经PEG和NaCl胁迫后表达下调,受H_2O_2和ABA胁迫后表达上调。该研究结果为深入探究TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因的抗逆功能奠定了理论基础。     

肉桂酸衍生物对铜绿假单胞菌PAO1 Ⅲ型分泌系统的影响

【目的】铜绿假单胞菌是引起医院获得性感染最常见的条件致病菌,而Ⅲ型分泌系统(Type Ⅲ secretion system,TTSS)是其致病的主要因子之一。本文从合成的21个肉桂酸衍生物中筛选影响TTSS效应子(Effector)产生的化合物,并初步研究其作用机制。【方法】将TTSS效应子合成基因exoS的转录报告质粒pAT-exoS转入菌株PAO1中,获得PAO1(pAT-exoS)。待筛选的化合物与PAO1(pAT-exoS)菌株共培养6 h后,检测exoS基因的表达,从中筛选影响exoS基因表达的化合物。【结果】筛选结果表明:21个化合物中,3个化合物抑制exoS基因表达,2个化合物则促进exoS基因表达。此外,化合物TS128、TS143和TS160对菌株生长有明显的抑制作用。Western blot实验进一步证实筛选得到的化合物TS108、TS128和TS165可抑制ExoS的产生;化合物TS139和TS143则促进ExoS的产生。为进一步研究抑制剂的作用机理,过量表达TTSS主要的调控因子exsA基因可部分消除抑制剂TS108和TS165的抑制效果;而rsmZ rsmY双基因突变体PAO6421中添加抑制剂TS108和TS165并不能显著抑制exoS基因的表达,同样,抑制剂TS108和TS165也不影响受Gac/Rsm信号传导系统调控的群体感应信号分子的产生。【结论】抑制剂TS108和TS165的作用机制可能主要是影响esxA基因,从而影响exoS基因表达及蛋白产量。     

黄花棘豆脱水素OoY_2K_4的鉴定及表达分析

该研究以黄花棘豆cDNA为模板,采用同源克隆法,从黄花棘豆转录组数据库中克隆获得1个响应逆境胁迫的胚胎发育晚期丰富蛋白基因,命名为OoY_2K_4;OoY_2K_4基因ORF为786bp,编码261个氨基酸,含有2个保守的Y片段和4个K片段,为典型的Y_2K_4类脱水蛋白亚家族成员;OoY_2K_4蛋白不具有跨膜结构域,不存在信号肽,亲水性极强,含有1个糖基化位点和17个磷酸化位点;亚细胞定位显示,OoY_2K_4蛋白定位于细胞质中。多序列比对发现,OoY_2K_4蛋白与其他物种第二组LEA蛋白(脱水素)序列高度保守;进化树分析显示,该序列与三叶草、蒺藜苜蓿和紫花苜蓿相似度最高,亲缘关系最近。采用qRT-PCR对OoY_2K_4基因在干旱、高盐、低温以及脱落酸、乙烯、赤霉素处理下的表达分析显示,干旱和高盐胁迫可显著诱导OoY_2K_4基因表达,而低温胁迫下基本无变化;激素处理均可诱导OoY_2K_4基因高效表达,其中脱落酸诱导下OoY_2K_4基因表达最显著。研究推测,OoY_2K_4基因可能通过依赖ABA的信号途径参与黄花棘豆对干旱和高盐逆境胁迫的应答反应。     

里氏木霉VPS13基因缺失对菌丝分支、生孢和纤维素酶产量的影响

【目的】丝状真菌里氏木霉是纤维素酶生产的主要工业真菌。纤维素酶分泌过程中的蛋白运输途径是控制大量纤维素酶成功输出的重要环节,因此,研究蛋白分泌途径的特定靶标基因功能将有助于鉴定纤维素酶运输分泌过程的关键调控因子。本研究借助基因敲除方法将里氏木霉液泡蛋白分选相关基因VPS13缺失,分析了该基因缺失对菌株生长、生孢尤其是纤维素酶分泌的影响。【方法】利用Double-joint PCR技术和同源重组策略构建里氏木霉VPS13基因缺失突变株,通过菌丝培养、显微观察、生孢检测、蛋白与酶活测定,系统比较VPS13基因敲除前后菌株的生长特征、菌丝形态、孢子形成、蛋白分泌以及纤维素酶活等。【结果】成功获得两株VPS13基因缺失株。与出发菌株相比,该基因突变后菌丝蔓延速率明显减慢,但菌体生物量在对数生长期后显著增多。通过显微观察,发现该基因缺失株菌丝更加密集,分支明显增多。此外,该基因缺失也导致菌株生孢延迟。纤维素底物平板分析发现VPS13基因缺失株菌落周围透明圈更加清晰,且透明圈圈径比是出发菌株的4倍,说明降解纤维素的能力有明显提高。进一步的液体发酵实验结果显示,该基因缺失导致蛋白产量及纤维素酶活力分别提高16.4%和21.9%。【结论】里氏木霉VPS13基因在菌丝生长、生孢、蛋白分泌等不同生物学过程中具有功能多样性,且该基因在菌种改良上可以作为提高纤维素酶产量的重要靶点。     

Regulatory role of PopN and its interacting partners in type III secretion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The type III secretion system (T3SS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa plays a significant role in pathogenesis. We have previously identified type III secretion factor (TSF), which is required for effective secretion of the type III effector molecules, in addition to the low calcium signal. TSF includes many low-affinity high-capacity calcium binding proteins, such as serum albumin and casein. A search for the TSF binding targets on the bacterial outer membrane resulted in identification of PopN, a component of the T3SS that is readily detectable on the bacterial cell surface. PopN specifically interacts with Pcr1, and both popN and pcr1 mutants have a constitutive type III secretion phenotype, suggesting that the two proteins form a complex that functions as a T3SS repressor. Further analysis of the popN operon genes resulted in identification of protein-protein interactions between Pcr1 and Pcr4 and between Pcr4 and Pcr3, as well as between PopN and Pcr2 in the presence of PscB. Unlike popN and pcr1 mutants, pcr3 and pcr4 mutants are totally defective in type III secretion, while a pcr2 mutant exhibits reduced type III secretion. Interestingly, PopN, Pcr1, Pcr2, and Pcr4 are all secreted in a type III secretion machinery-dependent manner, while Pcr3 is not. These findings imply that these components have important regulatory roles in controlling type III secretion.     

SpiC is required for secretion of Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 type III secretion system proteins

Replication of Salmonella typhimurium in host cells depends in part on the action of the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 (SPI-2) type III secretion system (TTSS), which translocates bacterial effector proteins across the membrane of the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV). We have shown previously that one activity of the SPI-2 TTSS is the assembly of a coat of F-actin in the vicinity of bacterial microcolonies. To identify proteins involved in SPI-2 dependent actin polymerization, we tested strains carrying mutations in each of several genes whose products are proposed to be secreted through the SPI-2 TTSS, for their ability to assemble F-actin around intracellular bacteria. We found that strains carrying mutations in either sseB, sseC, sseD or spiC were deficient in actin assembly. The phenotypes of the sseB-, sseC- and sseD- mutants can be attributed to their requirement for translocation of SPI-2 effectors. SpiC was investigated further in view of its proposed role as an effector. Transient expression of a myc::SpiC fusion protein in Hela cells did not induce any significant alterations to the host cell cytoskeleton, and failed to restore actin polymerization around intracellular spiC- mutant bacteria. However, the same protein did complement the mutant phenotype when expressed from a plasmid within bacteria. Furthermore, spiC was found to be required for SPI-2 mediated secretion of SseB, SseC and SseD in vitro. An antibody against SpiC detected the protein on immunoblots from total cell lysates of S. typhimurium expressing SpiC from a plasmid, but it was not detected in secreted fractions after exposure of cells to conditions that result in secretion of other SPI-2 effector proteins. Investigation of the trafficking of SCVs containing a spiC- mutant in macrophages revealed only a low level of association with the lysosomal marker cathepsin D, similar to that of wild-type bacteria. Together, these results show that SpiC is involved in the process of SPI-2 secretion and indicate that phenotypes associated with a spiC- mutant are caused by the inability of this strain to translocate effector proteins, thus calling for further investigation into the function(s) of this protein.     

Pseudomonas syringae HrpJ is a type III secreted protein that is required for plant pathogenesis, injection of effectors, and secretion of the HrpZ1 Harpin

The bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae requires a type III protein secretion system (TTSS) to cause disease. The P. syringae TTSS is encoded by the hrp-hrc gene cluster. One of the genes within this cluster, hrpJ, encodes a protein with weak similarity to YopN, a type III secreted protein from the animal pathogenic Yersinia species. Here, we show that HrpJ is secreted in culture and translocated into plant cells by the P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 TTSS. A DC3000 hrpJ mutant, UNL140, was greatly reduced in its ability to cause disease symptoms and multiply in Arabidopsis thaliana. UNL140 exhibited a reduced ability to elicit a hypersensitive response (HR) in nonhost tobacco plants. UNL140 was unable to elicit an AvrRpt2- or AvrB1-dependent HR in A. thaliana but maintained its ability to secrete AvrB1 in culture via the TTSS. Additionally, UNL140 was defective in its ability to translocate the effectors AvrPto1, HopB1, and AvrPtoB. Type III secretion assays showed that UNL140 secreted HrpA1 and AvrPto1 but was unable to secrete HrpZ1, a protein that is normally secreted in culture in relatively large amounts, into culture supernatants. Taken together, our data indicate that HrpJ is a type III secreted protein that is important for pathogenicity and the translocation of effectors into plant cells. Based on the failure of UNL140 to secrete HrpZ1, HrpJ may play a role in controlling type III secretion, and in its absence, specific accessory proteins, like HrpZ1, may not be extracellularly localized, resulting in disabled translocation of effectors into plant cells.     

Pseudomonas syringae type III chaperones ShcO1, ShcS1, and ShcS2 facilitate translocation of their cognate effectors and can substitute for each other in the secretion of HopO1-1

The Pseudomonas syringae type III secretion system (TTSS) translocates effector proteins into plant cells. Several P. syringae effectors require accessory proteins called type III chaperones (TTCs) to be secreted via the TTSS. We characterized the hopO1-1, hopS1, and hopS2 operons in P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000; these operons encode three homologous TTCs, ShcO1, ShcS1, and ShcS2. ShcO1, ShcS1, and ShcS2 facilitated the type III secretion and/or translocation of their cognate effectors HopO1-1, HopS1, and HopS2, respectively. ShcO1 and HopO1-1 interacted with each other in yeast two-hybrid and coimmunoprecipitation assays. Interestingly, ShcS1 and ShcS2 were capable of substituting for ShcO1 in facilitating HopO1-1 secretion and translocation and each TTC was able to bind the other's cognate effectors in yeast two-hybrid assays. Moreover, ShcO1, ShcS1, and ShcS2 all bound to the middle-third region of HopO1-1. The HopS2 effector possessed atypical P. syringae TTSS N-terminal characteristics and was translocated in low amounts. A site-directed HopS2 mutation that introduced a common N-terminal characteristic from other P. syringae type III secreted substrates increased HopS2 translocation, supporting the idea that this characteristic functions as a secretion signal. Additionally, hopO1-2 and hopT1-2 were shown to encode effectors secreted via the DC3000 TTSS. Finally, a DC3000 hopO1-1 operon deletion mutant produced disease symptoms similar to those seen with wild-type DC3000 but was reduced in its ability to multiply in Arabidopsis thaliana. The existence of TTCs that can bind to dissimilar effectors and that can substitute for each other in effector secretion provides insights into the nature of how TTCs function.     

Shigella chromosomal IpaH proteins are secreted via the type III secretion system and act as effectors

Shigella possess 220 kb plasmid, and the major virulence determinants, called effectors, and the type III secretion system (TTSS) are exclusively encoded by the plasmid. The genome sequences of S. flexneri strains indicate that several ipaH family genes are located on both the plasmid and the chromosome, but whether their chromosomal IpaH cognates can be secreted from Shigella remains unknown. Here we report that S. flexneri strain, YSH6000 encodes seven ipaH cognate genes on the chromosome and that the IpaH proteins are secreted via the TTSS. The secretion kinetics of IpaH proteins by bacteria, however, showed delay compared with those of IpaB, IpaC and IpaD. Expression of the each mRNA of ipaH in Shigella was increased after bacterial entry into epithelial cells, and the IpaH proteins were secreted by intracellular bacteria. Although individual chromosomal ipaH deletion mutants showed no appreciable changes in the pathogenesis in a mouse pulmonary infection model, the DeltaipaH-null mutant, whose chromosome lacks all ipaH genes, was attenuated to mice lethality. Indeed, the histological examination for mouse lungs infected with the DeltaipaH-null showed a greater inflammatory response than induced by wild-type Shigella, suggesting that the chromosomal IpaH proteins act synergistically as effectors to modulate the host inflammatory responses.     

SsaM and SpiC interact and regulate secretion of Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 type III secretion system effectors and translocators

The type III secretion system (TTSS) encoded by Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 (SPI-2) is required for systemic infection and intracellular replication of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The SPI-2 TTSS is activated after internalization of bacteria by host cells, and translocates effector proteins into and across the vacuolar membrane, where they interfere with several host cell functions. Here, we investigated the function of SsaM, a small protein encoded within SPI-2. An ssaM deletion mutant had virulence and intracellular replication defects comparable to those of a SPI-2 TTSS null mutant. Although the ssaM mutant was able to secrete the effector protein SseJ in vitro, it failed to translocate SseJ into host cells, and to secrete the translocon proteins SseB, SseC and SseD in vitro. This phenotype is similar to that of a strain carrying a mutation in the SPI-2 gene spiC, whose product is reported to be an effector involved in trafficking of the Salmonella vacuole in macrophages. Both ssaM and spiC mutants were found to oversecrete the SPI-2 effector proteins SseJ and PipB in vitro. Fractionation assays and immunofluorescence microscopy were used to investigate the localization of SsaM and SpiC in macrophages. No evidence for translocation of these proteins was obtained. The similar phenotypes of the ssaM and spiC mutants suggested that they might be involved in the same function. Pull-down and co-immune precipitation experiments showed that SpiC and SsaM interact within the bacterial cell. We propose that a complex involving SsaM and SpiC distinguishes between translocators and effector proteins, and controls their ordered secretion through the SPI-2 TTSS.     

Role of the Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) protein InvB in type III secretion of SopE and SopE2, two Salmonella effector proteins encoded outside of SPI-1

Salmonella enterica subspecies 1 serovar Typhimurium encodes a type III secretion system (TTSS) within Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1). This TTSS injects effector proteins into host cells to trigger invasion and inflammatory responses. Effector proteins are recognized by the TTSS via signals encoded in their N termini. Specific chaperones can be involved in this process. The chaperones InvB, SicA, and SicP are encoded in SPI-1 and are required for transport of SPI-1-encoded effectors. Several key effector proteins, like SopE and SopE2, are located outside of SPI-1 but are secreted in an SPI-1-dependent manner. It has not been clear how these effector proteins are recognized by the SPI-1 TTSS. Using pull-down and coimmunoprecipitation assays, we found that SopE is copurified with InvB, the known chaperone for the SPI-1-encoded effector protein Sip/SspA. We also found that InvB is required for secretion and translocation of SopE and SopE2 and for stabilization of SopE2 in the bacterial cytosol. Our data demonstrate that effector proteins encoded within and outside of SPI-1 use the same chaperone for secretion via the SPI-1 TTSS.     

IcsB,secreted via the type III secretion system,is chaperoned by IpgA and required at the post-invasion stage of Shigella pathogenicity

Shigella deliver a subset of effector proteins such as IpaA, IpaB and IpaC via the type III secretion system (TTSS) into host cells during the infection of colonic epithelial cells. Many bacterial effectors including some from Shigella require specific chaperones for protection from degradation and targeting to the TTSS. In this study, we have investigated the role of the icsB gene located upstream of the ipaBCDA operon in Shigella infection because the role of IcsB as a virulence factor remains unknown. Here, we found that the IcsB protein is secreted via the TTSS of Shigella in vitro and in vivo. We show that IpgA protein encoded by ipgA, the gene immediately downstream of icsB, serves as the chaperone required for the stabilization and secretion of IcsB. We have shown that IcsB binds to IpgA in bacterial cytosol and the binding site is in the middle of the IcsB protein. Intriguingly, although its significance in Shigella pathogenicity is as yet unclear, the icsB gene can be read-through into the ipgA gene to create a translational fusion protein. Furthermore, the contribution of IcsB to the pathogenicity of Shigella was demonstrated by plaque-forming assay and the Sereny test. The ability of the icsB mutant to form plaques was greatly reduced compared with that of the wild type in MDCK cell monolayers. Furthermore, when guinea pig eyes were infected with a non-polar icsB mutant, the bacteria failed to provoke keratoconjunctivitis. These results suggest that IcsB is secreted via the TTSS, chaperoned by IpgA, and required at the post-invasion stage of Shigella pathogenicity