scholarly journals The Francisella Pathogenicity Island Protein PdpD Is Required for Full Virulence and Associates with Homologues of the Type VI Secretion System

2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (13) ◽  
pp. 4584-4595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagjit S. Ludu ◽  
Olle M. de Bruin ◽  
Barry N. Duplantis ◽  
Crystal L. Schmerk ◽  
Alicia Y. Chou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Pathogenicity Island ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Type Vi Secretion System ◽  
Secretion Systems ◽  
Intracellular Growth ◽  
Type Vi Secretion ◽  
Genes Encoding

ABSTRACT Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious, facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen that is the causative agent of tularemia. Nearly a century ago, researchers observed that tularemia was often fatal in North America but almost never fatal in Europe and Asia. The chromosomes of F. tularensis strains carry two identical copies of the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI), and the FPIs of North America-specific biotypes contain two genes, anmK and pdpD, that are not found in biotypes that are distributed over the entire Northern Hemisphere. In this work, we studied the contribution of anmK and pdpD to virulence by using F. novicida, which is very closely related to F. tularensis but which carries only one copy of the FPI. We showed that anmK and pdpD are necessary for full virulence but not for intracellular growth. This is in sharp contrast to most other FPI genes that have been studied to date, which are required for intracellular growth. We also showed that PdpD is localized to the outer membrane. Further, overexpression of PdpD affects the cellular distribution of FPI-encoded proteins IglA, IglB, and IglC. Finally, deletions of FPI genes encoding proteins that are homologues of known components of type VI secretion systems abolished the altered distribution of IglC and the outer membrane localization of PdpD.

scholarly journals Bioinformatic Analysis of the Campylobacter jejuni Type VI Secretion System and Effector Prediction

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Robinson ◽  
Janie Liaw ◽  
Zahra Omole ◽  
Dong Xia ◽  
Arnoud H. M. van Vliet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Campylobacter Jejuni ◽  
Variable Region ◽  
Pathogenicity Island ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Type Vi Secretion System ◽  
Bacterial Antagonism ◽  
Type Vi Secretion

The Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) has important roles relating to bacterial antagonism, subversion of host cells, and niche colonisation. Campylobacter jejuni is one of the leading bacterial causes of human gastroenteritis worldwide and is a commensal coloniser of birds. Although recently discovered, the T6SS biological functions and identities of its effectors are still poorly defined in C. jejuni. Here, we perform a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the C. jejuni T6SS by investigating the prevalence and genetic architecture of the T6SS in 513 publicly available genomes using C. jejuni 488 strain as reference. A unique and conserved T6SS cluster associated with the Campylobacter jejuni Integrated Element 3 (CJIE3) was identified in the genomes of 117 strains. Analyses of the T6SS-positive 488 strain against the T6SS-negative C. jejuni RM1221 strain and the T6SS-positive plasmid pCJDM202 carried by C. jejuni WP2-202 strain defined the “T6SS-containing CJIE3” as a pathogenicity island, thus renamed as Campylobacter jejuni Pathogenicity Island-1 (CJPI-1). Analysis of CJPI-1 revealed two canonical VgrG homologues, CJ488_0978 and CJ488_0998, harbouring distinct C-termini in a genetically variable region downstream of the T6SS operon. CJPI-1 was also found to carry a putative DinJ-YafQ Type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) module, conserved across pCJDM202 and the genomic island CJIE3, as well as several open reading frames functionally predicted to encode for nucleases, lipases, and peptidoglycan hydrolases. This comprehensive in silico study provides a framework for experimental characterisation of T6SS-related effectors and TA modules in C. jejuni.

scholarly journals The Type VI Secretion System Encoded in Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 19 Is Required for Salmonella enterica Serotype Gallinarum Survival within Infected Macrophages

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 1207-1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos J. Blondel ◽  
Juan C. Jiménez ◽  
Lorenzo E. Leiva ◽  
Sergio A. Álvarez ◽  
Bernardo I. Pinto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Pathogenicity Island ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Type Vi Secretion System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Vi Secretion ◽  
Core Components

ABSTRACTSalmonella entericaserotype Gallinarum is the causative agent of fowl typhoid, a disease characterized by high morbidity and mortality that causes major economic losses in poultry production. We have reported thatS. Gallinarum harbors a type VI secretion system (T6SS) encoded inSalmonellapathogenicity island 19 (SPI-19) that is required for efficient colonization of chicks. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the SPI-19 T6SS functionality and to investigate the mechanisms behind the phenotypes previously observedin vivo. Expression analyses revealed that SPI-19 T6SS core components are expressed and produced underin vitrobacterial growth conditions. However, secretion of the structural/secreted components Hcp1, Hcp2, and VgrG to the culture medium could not be determined, suggesting that additional signals are required for T6SS-dependent secretion of these proteins.In vitrobacterial competition assays failed to demonstrate a role for SPI-19 T6SS in interbacterial killing. In contrast, cell culture experiments with murine and avian macrophages (RAW264.7 and HD11, respectively) revealed production of a green fluorescent protein-tagged version of VgrG soon afterSalmonellauptake. Furthermore, infection of RAW264.7 and HD11 macrophages with deletion mutants of SPI-19 or strains with genes encoding specific T6SS core components (clpVandvgrG) revealed that SPI-19 T6SS contributes toS. Gallinarum survival within macrophages at 20 h postuptake. SPI-19 T6SS function was not linked toSalmonella-induced cytotoxicity or cell death of infected macrophages, as has been described for other T6SS. Our data indicate that SPI-19 T6SS corresponds to a novel tool used bySalmonellato survive within host cells.

scholarly journals VipA N-terminal linker and VipB-VipB interaction modulate the contraction of Type VI secretion system sheath

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Brackmann ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Marek Basler
Keyword(s):  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Extended State ◽  
Type Vi Secretion System ◽  
Secretion Systems ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Type Vi Secretion ◽  
Bacterial Type

AbstractSecretion systems are essential for bacteria to survive and manipulate their environment. The bacterial Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) generates the force needed for protein translocation by the contraction of a long polymer called sheath, which is composed of interconnected VipA/VipB subunits forming a six-start helix. The mechanism of T6SS sheath contraction and the structure of its extended state are unknown. Here we show that elongating the N-terminal VipA linker or eliminating charge of a specific VipB residue abolished sheath contraction and delivery of effectors into target cells. The assembly of the non-contractile sheaths was dependent on the baseplate component TssE and mass-spectrometry analysis identified Hcp, VgrG and other components of the T6SS baseplate specifically associated with stable non-contractile sheaths. The ability to lock T6SS in the pre-firing state opens new possibilities for understanding its mode of action.

scholarly journals A family of Type VI secretion system effector proteins that form ion-selective pores

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppina Mariano ◽  
Katharina Trunk ◽  
David J. Williams ◽  
Laura Monlezun ◽  
Henrik Strahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Type Vi Secretion System ◽  
Secretion Systems ◽  
New Family ◽  
Type Vi Secretion ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Outer Membrane Permeability ◽  
Bacterial Effectors

AbstractType VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are nanomachines widely used by bacteria to deliver toxic effector proteins directly into neighbouring cells. However, the modes of action of many effectors remain unknown. Here we report that Ssp6, an anti-bacterial effector delivered by a T6SS of the opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens, is a toxin that forms ion-selective pores. Ssp6 inhibits bacterial growth by causing depolarisation of the inner membrane in intoxicated cells, together with increased outer membrane permeability. Reconstruction of Ssp6 activity in vitro demonstrates that it forms cation-selective pores. A survey of bacterial genomes reveals that genes encoding Ssp6-like effectors are widespread in Enterobacteriaceae and often linked with T6SS genes. We conclude that Ssp6 and similar proteins represent a new family of T6SS-delivered anti-bacterial effectors.

scholarly journals Type VI secretion system killing by commensal Neisseria is influenced by the spatial dynamics of bacteria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Custodio ◽  
Rhian M. Ford ◽  
Cara J. Ellison ◽  
Guangyu Liu ◽  
Gerda Mickute ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Type Vi Secretion System ◽  
Secretion Systems ◽  
Spatial Constraints ◽  
Human Respiratory Tract ◽  
Type Vi Secretion ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Commensal Neisseria

ABSTRACTType VI Secretion Systems (T6SS) are widespread in bacteria and can dictate the development and organisation of polymicrobial ecosystems by mediating contact dependent killing. In Neisseria species, including Neisseria cinerea a commensal of the human respiratory tract, interbacterial contacts are mediated by Type four pili (Tfp) which promote formation of aggregates and govern the spatial dynamics of growing Neisseria microcolonies. Here we show that N. cinerea expresses a plasmid-encoded T6SS that is active and can limit growth of related pathogens. We explored the impact of Tfp expression on N. cinerea T6SS-dependent killing and show that expression of Tfp by prey strains enhances their susceptibility to T6SS, by keeping them in close proximity of T6SS-wielding attacker strains. Our findings have important implications for understanding how spatial constraints during contact-dependent antagonism can shape the evolution of microbial communities.

scholarly journals Host Adaptation Predisposes Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Type VI Secretion System-Mediated Predation by the Burkholderia cepacia Complex

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew I Perault ◽  
Courtney E Chandler ◽  
David A Rasko ◽  
Robert K Ernst ◽  
Matthew C Wolfgang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Burkholderia Cenocepacia ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Type Vi Secretion System ◽  
Secretion Systems ◽  
Type Vi Secretion

SUMMARYPseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) and Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) species are opportunistic lung pathogens of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). While Pa can initiate long-term infections in younger CF patients, Bcc infections only arise in teenagers and adults. Both Pa and Bcc use type VI secretion systems (T6SS) to mediate interbacterial competition. Here, we show that Pa isolates from teenage/adult CF patients, but not those from young CF patients, are outcompeted by the epidemic Bcc isolate Burkholderia cenocepacia strain AU1054 (BcAU1054) in a T6SS-dependent manner. The genomes of susceptible Pa isolates harbor T6SS-abrogating mutations, the repair of which, in some cases, rendered the isolates resistant. Moreover, seven of eight Bcc strains outcompeted Pa strains isolated from the same patients. Our findings suggest that certain mutations that arise as Pa adapts to the CF lung abrogate T6SS activity, making Pa and its human host susceptible to potentially fatal Bcc superinfection.

scholarly journals Beyond dueling: roles of the type VI secretion system in microbiome modulation, pathogenesis and stress resistance

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinshui Lin ◽  
Lei Xu ◽  
Jianshe Yang ◽  
Zhuo Wang ◽  
Xihui Shen
Keyword(s):  
Stress Resistance ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Type Vi Secretion System ◽  
Secretion Systems ◽  
Competitive Fitness ◽  
Type Vi Secretion ◽  
Protein Secretion Systems ◽  
Extracellular Environment

AbstractBacteria inhabit diverse and dynamic environments, where nutrients may be limited and toxic chemicals can be prevalent. To adapt to these stressful conditions, bacteria have evolved specialized protein secretion systems, such as the type VI secretion system (T6SS) to facilitate their survival. As a molecular syringe, the T6SS expels various effectors into neighboring bacterial cells, eukaryotic cells, or the extracellular environment. These effectors improve the competitive fitness and environmental adaption of bacterial cells. Although primarily recognized as antibacterial weapons, recent studies have demonstrated that T6SSs have functions beyond interspecies competition. Here, we summarize recent research on the role of T6SSs in microbiome modulation, pathogenesis, and stress resistance.

scholarly journals Manganese scavenging and oxidative stress response mediated by type VI secretion system in Burkholderia thailandensis

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (11) ◽  
pp. E2233-E2242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meiru Si ◽  
Chao Zhao ◽  
Brianne Burkinshaw ◽  
Bing Zhang ◽  
Dawei Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Cellular Damage ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Type Vi Secretion System ◽  
Burkholderia Thailandensis ◽  
Type Vi Secretion ◽  
Independent Functions ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a versatile protein export machinery widely distributed in Gram-negative bacteria. Known to translocate protein substrates to eukaryotic and prokaryotic target cells to cause cellular damage, the T6SS has been primarily recognized as a contact-dependent bacterial weapon for microbe–host and microbial interspecies competition. Here we report contact-independent functions of the T6SS for metal acquisition, bacteria competition, and resistance to oxidative stress. We demonstrate that the T6SS-4 in Burkholderia thailandensis is critical for survival under oxidative stress and is regulated by OxyR, a conserved oxidative stress regulator. The T6SS-4 is important for intracellular accumulation of manganese (Mn2+) under oxidative stress. Next, we identified a T6SS-4–dependent Mn2+-binding effector TseM, and its interacting partner MnoT, a Mn2+-specific TonB-dependent outer membrane transporter. Similar to the T6SS-4 genes, expression of mnoT is regulated by OxyR and is induced under oxidative stress and low Mn2+ conditions. Both TseM and MnoT are required for efficient uptake of Mn2+ across the outer membrane under Mn2+-limited and -oxidative stress conditions. The TseM–MnoT-mediated active Mn2+ transport system is also involved in contact-independent bacteria–bacteria competition and bacterial virulence. This finding provides a perspective for understanding the mechanisms of metal ion uptake and the roles of T6SS in bacteria–bacteria competition.

scholarly journals Temperature and growth phase influence the outer-membrane proteome and the expression of a type VI secretion system in Yersinia pestis

Microbiology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 155 (2) ◽  
pp. 498-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rembert Pieper ◽  
Shih-Ting Huang ◽  
Jeffrey M. Robinson ◽  
David J. Clark ◽  
Hamid Alami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Yersinia Pestis ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Subcellular Fractionation ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Type Vi Secretion System ◽  
Extracellular Medium ◽  
Type Vi Secretion

Yersinia pestis cells were grown in vitro at 26 and 37 °C, the ambient temperatures of its flea vector and its mammalian hosts, respectively, and subjected to subcellular fractionation. Abundance changes at 26 vs 37 °C were observed for many outer-membrane (OM) proteins. The cell adhesion protein Ail (y1324) and three putative small β-barrel OM proteins (y1795, y2167 and y4083) were strongly increased at 37 °C. The Ail/Lom family protein y1682 (OmpX) was strongly increased at 26 °C. Several porins and TonB-dependent receptors, which control small molecule transport through the OM, were also altered in abundance in a temperature-dependent manner. These marked differences in the composition of the OM proteome are probably important for the adaptation of Y. pestis to its in vivo life stages. Thirteen proteins that appear to be part of an intact type VI secretion system (T6SS) were identified in membrane fractions of stationary-phase cells grown at 26 °C, but not at 37 °C. The corresponding genes are clustered in the Y. pestis KIM gene locus y3658–y3677. The proteins y3674 and y3675 were particularly abundant and co-fractionated in a M r range indicative of participation in a multi-subunit complex. The soluble haemolysin-coregulated protein y3673 was even more abundant. Its release into the extracellular medium was triggered by treatment of Y. pestis cells with trypsin. Proteases and other stress-response-inducing factors may constitute environmental cues resulting in the activation of the T6SS in Y. pestis.

scholarly journals Characterization of a lysozyme-like effector TseP and secretion co-dependence of the type VI secretion system in Aeromonas dhakensis SSU

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoye Liang ◽  
Tong-Tong Pei ◽  
Zeng-Hang Wang ◽  
Weiliang Xiong ◽  
Li-Li Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Protein Delivery ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Type Vi Secretion System ◽  
Secretion Systems ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Type Vi Secretion

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread weapon employed by gram-negative bacteria for interspecies interaction in complex communities. Analogous to a contractile phage tail, the double-tubular T6SS injects toxic effectors into prokaryotic and eukaryotic neighboring cells. Although effectors dictate T6SS functions, their identities remain elusive in many pathogens. Here we report a lysozyme-like effector TseP in Aeromonas dhakensis, a waterborne pathogen that can cause severe gastroenteritis and systemic infection. Using secretion, competition and enzymatic assays, we demonstrate that TseP is a T6SS-dependent effector with cell wall-lysing activities and TsiP is its cognate immunity protein. Triple deletion of tseP and two known effector genes tseI and tseC abolished T6SS-mediated secretion, while complementation with any single effector gene partially restores bacterial killing and Hcp secretion. By contrast to whole-gene deletions, a triple-effector-inactivated mutant 3effc showed abolished antibacterial killing but retained T6SS secretion. We further demonstrate that the 3effc mutation abolished T6SS-mediated toxicity of SSU to Dictyostelium discoideum amoeba, suggesting that the T6SS physical puncture is nontoxic to eukaryotic cells. These data highlight not only the necessity of possessing functionally diverse effectors for survival in multispecies communities but also that effector inactivation would be an efficient strategy to detoxify the T6SS while preserving its delivery efficiency, converting the T6SS to a protein delivery platform to a variety of recipient cells. Importance Delivery of cargo proteins via protein secretion systems has been shown as a promising tool in various applications. However, secretion systems are often used by pathogens to cause disease. Thus, strategies are needed to detoxify secretion systems while preserving their efficiency. The T6SS can translocate proteins through physical puncture of target cells without specific surface receptorsand can target a broad range of recipients. In this study, we identified a cell-wall lysing effector and by inactivating it and the other two known effectors, we have built a detoxified T6SS-active strain that may be used for protein delivery towards prokaryotic and eukaryotic recipient cells.

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