The most Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria form on their surface special grasping organelles, by which bacteria target to their object in human body and by which bacteria stick very firmly into this object enabling bacteria to cause an infection. The mechanism of formation of the grasping organelles was recently solved in molecular level. Structural units of the organelles are synthesized inside the inner cell membrane, wherefrom they are transported with a complex machinery onto the outer membrane. Therein the units self-assemble and protrude onto their place on the cell surface. Although the grasping units have multitude of structures they owe certain similar structural features, which can be exploited in the future for developing novel types of microbe drugs and vaccines. Furthermore, it is possible to develop microbe drugs, which prevent development of the grasping organelles resulting in bacteria to become non-infective.

2024

2028