Bacteria manipulate host cells with channel-forming effectors

Abstract

Bacterial pathogens deliver effectors into host cells mostly to manipulate signaling and metabolic molecules, thereby subverting host immunity. A recent study by Nomura et al. demonstrates that certain effectors create membrane channels in host cells, enabling bacteria to access water and solutes for multiplication.

Keywords: Erwinia amylovora; Pseudomonas syringae; channel-forming proteins; effectors; type III secretion system.