SseC is a secreted protein that forms a complex together with SecB and SecD on the surface of Salmonella. All these proteins are secreted by the type III secretion system [1]. Many mucosal pathogens use type III secretion systems for the injection of effector proteins into target cells. SecB, SseC and SecD are inserted into the target cell membrane. where they form a small pore or translocon [1,2]. In addition to SseC, this family includes the bacterial secreted proteins PopB, PepB, YopB and EspD which are thought to be directly involved in pore formation, and type III secretion system translocon.

1: Characterization of translocation pores inserted into plasma membranes by type III-secreted Esp proteins of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. Ide T, Laarmann S, Greune L, Schillers H, Oberleithner H, Schmidt MA; Cell Microbiol 2001;3:669-679. PMID:11580752

2: Type III Secretion: Building and Operating a Remarkable Nanomachine. Portaliou AG, Tsolis KC, Loos MS, Zorzini V, Economou A; Trends Biochem Sci. 2016;41:175-189. PMID:26520801