<Emphasis Type="Italic">Yersinia enterocolitica</Emphasis> type III secretion: Evidence for the ability to transport proteins that are folded prior to secretion
1.Max von Pettenkofer-Institut,München,Germany;2.Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Genetik,Berlin,Germany;3.Limnos,Ljubljana,Slovenia
Abstract:
Background
Pathogenic Yersinia species (Y. enterocolitica, Y. pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis) share a type three secretion system (TTSS) which allows translocation of effector proteins (called Yops) into host cells. It is believed that proteins are
delivered through a hollow needle with an inner diameter of 2–3 nm. Thus transport seems to require substrates which are essentially
unfolded. Recent work from different groups suggests that the Yersinia TTSS cannot accommodate substrates which are folded prior to secretion. It was suggested that folding is prevented either
by co-translational secretion or by the assistance of specific Yop chaperones (called Sycs).