Bacterial effector proteins are a specialized class of secreted proteins that are translocated directly into the host cytoplasm by bacterial pathogens. Effector proteins have diverse activities and targets, and many mediate post-translational modifications of host proteins. Effector proteins offer potential in novel biotechnological and medical applications as enzymes that may modify human proteins. Here, we discuss the mechanisms used by effectors to subvert the human host through blocking, blunting, or subverting immune mechanisms. This capacity allows bacteria to control host cell function to support pathogen survival, replication and dissemination to other hosts. In addition, we highlight that knowledge of effector protein activity may be used to develop chemical inhibitors as a new approach to treat bacterial infections.

细菌效应蛋白是一类特殊的分泌蛋白，可被细菌病原体直接转移到宿主细胞质中。效应蛋白具有多种活性和靶标，并且许多介导宿主蛋白的翻译后修饰。效应蛋白作为可能修饰人类蛋白质的酶，在新型生物技术和医学应用中具有潜力。在这里，我们讨论了效应子通过阻断，钝化或破坏免疫机制来破坏人类宿主的机制。这种能力使细菌能够控制宿主细胞的功能，以支持病原体的生存，复制以及向其他宿主的传播。此外，我们强调效应蛋白活性的知识可用于开发化学抑制剂，作为治疗细菌感染的新方法。