Genus‐optimized strategy for the identification of chlamydial type III secretion substrates. Issue 3 (14th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hovis, Kelley M.; Mojica, Sergio; McDermott, Jason E.; Pedersen, Laura; Simhi, Chana; Rank, Roger G.; Myers, Garry S.A.; Ravel, Jacques; Hsia, Ru‐ching; Bavoil, Patrik M.
• Is Part Of: Pathogens and disease. Volume 69:Issue 3(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 213
• Page End: 222
• Publication Date: 2013-08-14
• Subjects: Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Pathogenesis -- Periodicals; Host-parasite relationships -- Periodicals; Systems biology -- Periodicals; 616.904105
• DOI: 10.1111/2049-632X.12070
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-632X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="fim12070-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Among chlamydial virulence factors are the type III secretion (T3S) system and its effectors. T3S effectors target host proteins to benefit the infecting chlamydiae. The assortment of effectors, each with a unique function, varies between species. This variation likely contributes to differences in host specificity and disease severity. A dozen effectors of <italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</italic> have been identified; however, estimates suggest that more exist. A T3S prediction algorithm, SVM‐based Identification and Evaluation of Virulence Effectors (SIEVE), along with a <italic>Yersinia</italic> surrogate secretion system helped to identify a new T3S substrate, CT082, which rather than functioning as an effector associates with the chlamydial envelope after secretion. SIEVE was modified to improve/expand effector predictions to include all sequenced genomes. Additional adjustments were made to the existing surrogate system whereby the N terminus of putative effectors was fused to a known effector lacking its own N terminus and was tested for secretion. Expansion of effector predictions by cSIEVE and modification of the surrogate system have also assisted in identifying a new T3S substrate from <italic>C. psittaci</italic>. The expanded predictions along with modifications to improve the surrogate secretion system have enhanced our ability to identify novel species‐specific effectors, which upon characterization should provide insight into the unique pathogenic properties of each species.</p> </abstract>