The C-terminus of the ESAT6-like secretion system virulence factor EsxC mediates divalent cation-dependent homodimerization.

The human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus encodes the ESAT6-like Secretion System (ESS). The ESS pathway secretes pathogenic substrates such as EsxA, EsxB, EsxC, EsxD and EssD that mediate staphylococcal establishment in persistent abscess lesions. The biochemical behavior of these substrates is not fully understood.