Activation of Ran GTPase by a Legionella effector promotes microtubule polymerization, pathogen vacuole motility and infection.

The causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, Legionella pneumophila, uses the Icm/Dot type IV secretion system (T4SS) to form in phagocytes a distinct "Legionella-containing vacuole" (LCV), which intercepts endosomal and secretory vesicle trafficking. Proteomics revealed the presence of the small GTPase Ran and its effector RanBP1 on purified LCVs. Here we validate that Ran and RanBP1 localize to LCVs and promote intracellular growth of L.

Probing the cellular effects of bacterial effector proteins with the Yersinia toolbox.

The type 3 secretion system (T3SS) is a powerful bacterial nanomachine that is able to modify the host cellular immune defense in favor of the pathogen by injection of effector proteins. In this regard, cellular Rho GTPases such as Rac1, RhoA or Cdc42 are targeted by a large group of T3SS effectors by mimicking cellular guanine exchange factors or GTPase-activating proteins. However, functional analysis of one type of T3SS effector that is translocated by bacterial pathogens is challenging because the T3SS effector repertoire can comprise a large number of proteins with redundant or interfering functions.

The Yersinia enterocolitica type 3 secretion system (T3SS) as toolbox for studying the cell biological effects of bacterial Rho GTPase modulating T3SS effector proteins.

The bacterial effector proteins IpgB(1) and IpgB(2) of Shigella and Map of Escherichia coli activate the Rho GTPases Rac1, RhoA and Cdc42, respectively, whereas YopE and YopT of Yersinia inhibit these Rho family GTPases. We established a Yersinia toolbox which allows to study the cellular effects of these effectors in different combinations in the context of Yersinia type 3 secretion system (Ysc)-T3SS-mediated injection into HeLa cells. For this purpose hybrid proteins were constructed by fusion of YopE with the effector protein of interest.

Successful treatment of a huge congenital cervical teratoma.

Congenital cervical teratomas are extremely rare tumors with high perinatal mortality and morbidity rates particularly due to compression and distortion of the infant's airway. Hence, these mostly benign malformations require immediate excision, whereas surgery of these tumors is challenging for a multidisciplinary team. We report on a recent case of congenital cervical mature teratoma with total excision and cure.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in children: diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare, chronic inflammatory disease of the kidneys. It is characterized by destruction of renal parenchyma and accumulation of lipid-laden foamy macrophages. Diffuse and focal forms are known.