Type IV secretion systems are potentially applicable to treatment of human disease by using them to deliver DNA to target cells in human gene therapy.

Question

Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)

Answer 1

True

Clarify Question


    • What is the key concept addressed by the question?
            o The question is asking whether a type IV secretion system could be used to deliver DNA to target cells in human gene therapy.
    • What type of thinking is required?
            o You are being asked to take what you already know about type IV secretion systems and apply them to a situation not addressed in the chapter.


Gather Content


    • What do you already know about Type IV secretion systems? 
            o This really is the crux of the question. A type IV secretion system is used by some Gram-negative bacterial pathogens to deliver toxins or DNA into cells. The book gives examples of several pathogens that use a type IV secretion system to cause disease in humans, as well as a plant pathogen
    • Could a type IV secretion system be used to deliver DNA to target cells to help humans? 
            o The idea behind gene therapy is to insert a foreign gene into a patient's cells to treat a disorder. Does it seem like a type IV secretion system could do that?


Choose Answer


    • Given what you now know, is the statement likely true or false?
            o If a bacteria can use a type IV secretion system to insert a gene to hurt a human (like the book says several species can), does it seem possible that it could also be used to deliver a helpful gene? The answer is yes, the statement is true.


Reflect on Process


    • Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
            o Answering this question correctly depended on your ability to apply what you know about type IV secretion systems to a new situation.
            o If you got the incorrect answer, was it because you focused on the books examples all being pathogens? The type IV secretion system surely didn't evolve to help cure human diseases, but there doesn't seem to be any reason the gene being inserted must be harmful.