Eric Cambronne

Pathogenic bacteria have evolved specialized secretion systems dedicated to the injection of proteins directly into target eukaryotic host cells. Once in the host cell cytoplasm, these ‘effector’ proteins manipulate cellular processes to create a favorable environment for survival and replication of the bacterium. The type IV secretion pathway is employed by numerous important Gram-negative bacterial pathogens and thus represents a primary virulence determinant in many human diseases. While this secretion pathway has emerged as a conserved virulence strategy, the mechanisms governing effector protein recognition and transport remain poorly defined. L.pneumophila is a facultative intracellular pathogen that can cause a severe pneumonia in humans called Legionnaires disease. This bacterium employs the Dot/Icm transporter to deliver at least 150 effector proteins of diverse molecular character into eukaryotic host cells. Our objectives intend to expand our understanding of this translocation pathway using genetic, molecular and biochemical techniques in order to elucidate the type IV secretion mechanisms that promote effector protein translocation.

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