XopA: a novel type III secretion system effector in <i>Xenorhabdus</i> that modulates host cell responses through apoptosis, autophagy, and immune evasion

This study reports the groundbreaking discovery of XopA as the first type III secretion system effectors (T3SE) identified in <i>Xenorhabdus</i> bacteria. By demonstrating its unique ability to concurrently induce host cell apoptosis and autophagy, execute lysine acetyltransferase activity to suppress inflammatory signaling, and disrupt cytoskeletal dynamics to inhibit extracellular vesicle secretion, this work reveals a sophisticated multifunctional virulence mechanism. These findings significantly advance our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis, providing crucial insights into how T3SEs manipulate host cell processes and evade immune responses, thereby establishing a new frontier in host-pathogen interaction research.