Bacteria use molecular machines or weapons to colonize, invade or fight other bacteria and eukaryotic cells. In addition to these various
secretion systems, two different systems that release bacterial compounds have also been described. The first one corresponds to membrane
vesicle formation and to long distance delivery of membrane or soluble components. The second system is dependent of the expression of the
colicin lysis genes known for releasing cytoplasmic colicins as well as other soluble proteins. Both systems will be described thereafter.
2013 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.