The type III secretion system (T3SS) of pathogenic bacteria is composed of a series of rings in the inner and outer bacterial membranes. Crystallographic studies of EscJ and PrgH, proteins that comprise the two inner membrane rings of the T3SS, suggest that a conserved structural motif serves as a platform for ring assembly. Additional docking and modeling studies reveal details of the T3SS architecture and assembly.
- Thomas Spreter
- Calvin K Yip
- Natalie C J Strynadka