When HeLa cells were infected with S. Typhimurium ΔsptP delivering augmented levels of plasmid-encoded SptP (pSPTP) (Figure 5B), dephosphorylation of VCP was enhanced substantially over that of cells infected with the wild-type S. Typhimurium, and this was also true following HeLa cell infection with S. Typhimurium ΔsptP delivering SptPR209A (pR209A). Here, VCP is linked to infection.