BACTERIAL SYSTEM FOR PROTEIN TRANSPORT IN EUKARYOTIC CELLS
The aim of the invention is to develop a system for the targeted transport of proteins into eukaryotic cells. The specific transport of proteins into eukaryotic cells is carried out using a type III secretion system, using bacteria strains that are mutated in hpaB or homogenous genes. A non-pathogenic strain is generated from a Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria strain, said non-pathogenic strain being mutated in the hpaB-gen or a homogenous gene which does not mediate any significant translocation of bacterial effector proteins. Over-expressed effector proteins or proteins containing the type 111 secretion signal of a non-effector protein can, however, be translocated into eukaryotic cells using the bacterially inherent TTSS. The inventive bacterial system is used to transport bacterial proteins into eukaryotic cells, in order to influence or modify cellular processes such as gene expression, growth, development and defence/resistance mechanisms.