Deciphering Bacterial Proteins in Infections
Bacterial pathogens deliver water- and solute-permeable channels to plant cells
Many harmful bacteria that infect animals and plants use a special system to release proteins into their host cells. Understanding how these proteins work in host cells is vital for studying diseases in animals and plants. Researchers have been trying to figure out how a group of these proteins called AvrE-family effectors function for a long time. In this study, they discovered that these effectors have a structure like pores in bacteria. When these proteins are added to certain cells, they create channels that allow the passage of small molecules. The researchers also found a way to block these channels with certain chemicals. This discovery could have significant implications for understanding and controlling bacterial infections.
Nomura, K., Andreazza, F., Cheng, J. et al. Bacterial pathogens deliver water- and solute-permeable channels to plant cells. Nature 621, 586–591 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06531-5
