While the early innate response to Listeria involving neutrophil granulocytes, NK cells, and macrophages is able to control the infection in the first 3 days42, TUB6 mutants succumb later during the course of infection, when Listeria-specific IFN-γ-producing CD8+ effector T cells are indispensable for bacterial clearance43,44. The gene discussed is IFNG; the disease is infection.