Terminal reassortment drives the quantum evolution of type III effectors in bacterial pathogens.

ABSTRACT: Many bacterial pathogens employ a type III secretion system to deliver type III secreted effectors (T3SEs) into host cells, where they interact directly with host substrates to modulate defense pathways and promote disease. This interaction creates intense selective pressures on these secreted effectors, necessitating rapid evolution to overcome host surveillance systems and defenses. Using computational and evolutionary approaches, we have identified numerous mosaic and truncated T3SEs among animal and plant pathogens. We propose that these secreted virulence genes have evolved through a shuffling process we have called "terminal reassortment." In terminal reassortment, existing T3SE termini are mobilized within the genome, creating random genetic fusions that result in chimeric genes. Up

SUBMITTER: Stavrinides J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1599762 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature