Work

Perspectives on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III Secretion System Effector ExoU and Its Subversion of the Host Innate Immune Response to Infection

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic, Gram-negative pathogen and an important cause of hospital acquired infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Highly virulent P. aeruginosa strains use a type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject exoenzyme effectors directly into the cytoplasm of a target host cell. P. aeruginosa strains that express the T3SS effector, ExoU, associate with adverse outcomes in critically ill patients with pneumonia, owing to the ability of ExoU to rapidly damage host cell membranes and subvert the innate immune response to infection. Herein, we review the structure, function, regulation, and virulence characteristics of the T3SS effector ExoU, a highly cytotoxic phospholipase A2 enzyme.

Source: Toxins

DOI: 10.3390/toxins13120880

Authors: Kierra S. Hardy, Maxx H. Tessmer, Dara W. Frank, Jonathon P. Audia

Institutions: Harvard University, University of South Alabama, University of Washington, Medical College of Wisconsin

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,592