Exploding kamikaze bacteria: How a few 'soldier' cells confer virulence to a population by sacrificing themselves
Published Date: 1/19/2024
Source: phys.org
You suddenly feel sick—pathogenic bacteria have managed to colonize and spread in your body. The weapons they use for their invasion are harmful toxins that target the host's defense mechanisms and vital cell functions. Before these deadly toxins can attack host cells, bacteria must first export them from their production site—the cytoplasm—using dedicated secretion systems.