1
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George M, Narayanan S, Tejada-Arranz A, Plack A, Basler M. Initiation of H1-T6SS dueling between Pseudomonas aeruginosa. mBio 2024; 15:e0035524. [PMID: 38990002 PMCID: PMC11323562 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00355-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a multicomponent apparatus, present in many Gram-negative bacteria, which can inhibit bacterial prey in various ecological niches. Pseudomonas aeruginosa assembles one of its three T6SS (H1-T6SS) to respond to attacks from adjacent competing bacteria. Surprisingly, repeated assemblies of the H1-T6SS, termed dueling, were described in a monoculture in the absence of an attacker strain; however, the underlying mechanism was unknown. Here, we explored the role of H2-T6SS of P. aeruginosa in triggering H1-T6SS assembly. We show that H2-T6SS inactivation in P. aeruginosa causes a significant reduction in H1-T6SS dueling and that H2-T6SS activity directly triggers retaliation by the H1-T6SS. Intraspecific competition experiments revealed that elimination of H2-T6SS in non-immune prey cells conferred protection from H1-T6SS. Moreover, we show that the H1-T6SS response is triggered independently of the characterized lipase effectors of the H2-T6SS, as well as those of Acinetobacter baylyi and Vibrio cholerae. Our results suggest that H1-T6SS response to H2-T6SS in P. aeruginosa can impact intraspecific competition, particularly when the H1-T6SS effector-immunity pairs differ between strains, and could determine the outcome of multistrain colonization.IMPORTANCEThe opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa harbors three different Type VI secretion systems (H1, H2, and H3-T6SS), which can translocate toxins that can inhibit bacterial competitors or inflict damage to eukaryotic host cells. Unlike the unregulated T6SS assembly in other Gram-negative bacteria, the H1-T6SS in P. aeruginosa is precisely assembled as a response to various cell damaging attacks from neighboring bacterial cells. Surprisingly, it was observed that neighboring P. aeruginosa cells repeatedly assemble their H1-T6SS toward each other. Mechanisms triggering this "dueling" behavior between sister cells were unknown. In this report, we used a combination of microscopy, genetic and intraspecific competition experiments to show that H2-T6SS initiates H1-T6SS dueling. Our study highlights the interplay between different T6SS clusters in P. aeruginosa, which may influence the outcomes of multistrain competition in various ecological settings such as biofilm formation and colonization of cystic fibrosis lungs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. George
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - S. Narayanan
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - A. Plack
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - M. Basler
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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2
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Ramamoorthy S, Pena M, Ghosh P, Liao YY, Paret M, Jones JB, Potnis N. Transcriptome profiling of type VI secretion system core gene tssM mutant of Xanthomonas perforans highlights regulators controlling diverse functions ranging from virulence to metabolism. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0285223. [PMID: 38018859 PMCID: PMC10782981 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02852-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE T6SS has received attention due to its significance in mediating interorganismal competition through contact-dependent release of effector molecules into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Reverse-genetic studies have indicated the role of T6SS in virulence in a variety of plant pathogenic bacteria, including the one studied here, Xanthomonas. However, it is not clear whether such effect on virulence is merely due to a shift in the microbiome-mediated protection or if T6SS is involved in a complex virulence regulatory network. In this study, we conducted in vitro transcriptome profiling in minimal medium to decipher the signaling pathways regulated by tssM-i3* in X. perforans AL65. We show that TssM-i3* regulates the expression of a suite of genes associated with virulence and metabolism either directly or indirectly by altering the transcription of several regulators. These findings further expand our knowledge on the intricate molecular circuits regulated by T6SS in phytopathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivakumar Ramamoorthy
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Michelle Pena
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Palash Ghosh
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Ying-Yu Liao
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mathews Paret
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Jeffrey B. Jones
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Neha Potnis
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
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3
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Hespanhol JT, Nóbrega-Silva L, Bayer-Santos E. Regulation of type VI secretion systems at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional and posttranslational level. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001376. [PMID: 37552221 PMCID: PMC10482370 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria live in complex polymicrobial communities and are constantly competing for resources. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread antagonistic mechanism used by Gram-negative bacteria to gain an advantage over competitors. T6SSs translocate toxic effector proteins inside target prokaryotic cells in a contact-dependent manner. In addition, some T6SS effectors can be secreted extracellularly and contribute to the scavenging scarce metal ions. Bacteria deploy their T6SSs in different situations, categorizing these systems into offensive, defensive and exploitative. The great variety of bacterial species and environments occupied by such species reflect the complexity of regulatory signals and networks that control the expression and activation of the T6SSs. Such regulation is tightly controlled at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional and posttranslational level by abiotic (e.g. pH, iron) or biotic (e.g. quorum-sensing) cues. In this review, we provide an update on the current knowledge about the regulatory networks that modulate the expression and activity of T6SSs across several species, focusing on systems used for interbacterial competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Takuno Hespanhol
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Luize Nóbrega-Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Ethel Bayer-Santos
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
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4
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Allsopp LP, Bernal P. Killing in the name of: T6SS structure and effector diversity. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001367. [PMID: 37490402 PMCID: PMC10433429 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The life of bacteria is challenging, to endure bacteria employ a range of mechanisms to optimize their environment, including deploying the type VI secretion system (T6SS). Acting as a bacterial crossbow, this system delivers effectors responsible for subverting host cells, killing competitors and facilitating general secretion to access common goods. Due to its importance, this lethal machine has been evolutionarily maintained, disseminated and specialized to fulfil these vital functions. In fact, T6SS structural clusters are present in over 25 % of Gram-negative bacteria, varying in number from one to six different genetic clusters per organism. Since its discovery in 2006, research on the T6SS has rapidly progressed, yielding remarkable breakthroughs. The identification and characterization of novel components of the T6SS, combined with biochemical and structural studies, have revealed fascinating mechanisms governing its assembly, loading, firing and disassembly processes. Recent findings have also demonstrated the efficacy of this system against fungal and Gram-positive cells, expanding its scope. Ongoing research continues to uncover an extensive and expanding repertoire of T6SS effectors, the genuine mediators of T6SS function. These studies are shedding light on new aspects of the biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the T6SS, highlighting recent discoveries of its structure and the diversity of its effectors. Additionally, it injects a personal perspective on avenues for future research, aiming to deepen our understanding of this combative system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke P. Allsopp
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Patricia Bernal
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla 41012, Spain
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5
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Wu LL, Yan S, Pei TT, Tang MX, Li H, Liang X, Sun S, Dong T. A Dueling-Competent Signal-Sensing Module Guides Precise Delivery of Cargo Proteins into Target Cells by Engineered Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:360-368. [PMID: 36662232 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
To recognize and manipulate a specific microbe of a crowded community is a highly challenging task in synthetic biology. Here we introduce a highly selective protein delivery platform, termed DUEC, which responds to direct contact of attacking cells by engineering the tit-for-tat/dueling response of H1-T6SS (type VI secretion system) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using a Cre-recombinase-dependent reporter, we screened H1-T6SS-secreted substrates and developed Tse6N as the most effective secretion tag for Cre delivery. DUEC cells can discriminately deliver the Tse6N-Cre cargo into the cytosol of T6SS+ but not T6SS- Vibrio cholerae cells. DUEC could also deliver a nuclease cargo, Tse6N-NucSe1, to selectively kill provoking cells in a mixed community. These data demonstrate that the DUEC cell not only is a prototypical physical-contact sensor and delivery platform but also may be coupled with recombination-based circuits with the potential for complex tasks in mixed microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Shuangquan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Tong-Tong Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ming-Xuan Tang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaoye Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Shuyang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Tao Dong
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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6
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Bernal P, Civantos C, Pacheco-Sánchez D, Quesada JM, Filloux A, Llamas MA. Transcriptional organization and regulation of the Pseudomonas putida K1 type VI secretion system gene cluster. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001295. [PMID: 36748579 PMCID: PMC9993120 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is an antimicrobial molecular weapon that is widespread in Proteobacteria and offers competitive advantages to T6SS-positive micro-organisms. Three T6SSs have recently been described in Pseudomonas putida KT2440 and it has been shown that one, K1-T6SS, is used to outcompete a wide range of phytopathogens, protecting plants from pathogen infections. Given the relevance of this system as a powerful and innovative mechanism of biological control, it is critical to understand the processes that govern its expression. Here, we experimentally defined two transcriptional units in the K1-T6SS cluster. One encodes the structural components of the system and is transcribed from two adjacent promoters. The other encodes two hypothetical proteins, the tip of the system and the associated adapters, and effectors and cognate immunity proteins, and it is also transcribed from two adjacent promoters. The four identified promoters contain the typical features of σ70-dependent promoters. We have studied the expression of the system under different conditions and in a number of mutants lacking global regulators. P. putida K1-T6SS expression is induced in the stationary phase, but its transcription does not depend on the stationary σ factor RpoS. In fact, the expression of the system is indirectly repressed by RpoS. Furthermore, it is also repressed by RpoN and the transcriptional regulator FleQ, an enhancer-binding protein typically acting in conjunction with RpoN. Importantly, expression of the K1-T6SS gene cluster is positively regulated by the GacS-GacA two-component regulatory system (TCS) and repressed by the RetS sensor kinase, which inhibits this TCS. Our findings identified a complex regulatory network that governs T6SS expression in general and P. putida K1-T6SS in particular, with implications for controlling and manipulating a bacterial agent that is highly relevant in biological control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Bernal
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín (CSIC), Granada, Spain.,MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Cristina Civantos
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Daniel Pacheco-Sánchez
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - José M Quesada
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Alain Filloux
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - María A Llamas
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín (CSIC), Granada, Spain
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7
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An Important Role of the Type VI Secretion System of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Regulated by Dnr in Response to Anaerobic Environments. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0153322. [PMID: 36301114 PMCID: PMC9769707 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01533-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is capable of secreting a variety of metal-binding proteins involved in metal ion uptake, and it mediates an active metal ion transport system that contributes to competition between bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa H2-T6SS can increase molybdenum ion acquisition and enhance bacterial survival advantage by promoting the secretion of the molybdate-binding protein ModA, in which the expression of H2-T6SS core genes hcp2, hsiA2, and clpV2 is activated by anaerobic conditions and are all regulated by the global regulator Anr. Here, we report the regulation of T6SS by Dnr, a dedicated dissimilatory nitrate respiration regulator in P. aeruginosa. Of the three distinct T6SS loci carried by P. aeruginosa, only the anaerobic expression of H2-T6SS was activated by Dnr; H1-T6SS or H3-T6SS did not respond to anaerobically induced activation. We also demonstrated that Dnr promotes the anaerobic secretion of ModA, which acts as a potential substrate for H2-T6SS, providing an advantage not only for the anaerobic growth of bacteria but also for functional competition. Overall, this study elucidates the important role played by Dnr in mediating the anaerobic expression of T6SS in P. aeruginosa, indicating that the functional advantage of H2-T6SS in response to anaerobic induction may be a conditional environmental adaptation. It also extends our understanding of the function of Dnr as a specific regulator of dissimilatory nitrate respiration. IMPORTANCE The type VI secretion system (T6SS) plays an important role in bacterial competition by mediating the transport of active metal ions. Pseudomonas aeruginosa carries three distinct T6SS loci (H1-, H2-, and H3-T6SS). The H2-T6SS promotes the secretion of the molybdate-binding protein ModA for the acquisition of molybdenum ions to adapt to anaerobic survival. Here, we report that the specialized dissimilatory nitrate respiration regulator Dnr in P. aeruginosa controls the anaerobic expression of H2-T6SS and that this regulation is essential for ModA protein secretion, anaerobic growth, and bacterial competition. This study elucidates the regulatory mechanism of Dnr on H2-T6SS in P. aeruginosa, revealing an important role played by H2-T6SS in adapting to an anaerobic environment.
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8
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González-Magaña A, Altuna J, Queralt-Martín M, Largo E, Velázquez C, Montánchez I, Bernal P, Alcaraz A, Albesa-Jové D. The P. aeruginosa effector Tse5 forms membrane pores disrupting the membrane potential of intoxicated bacteria. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1189. [PMID: 36335275 PMCID: PMC9637101 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04140-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa injects effector proteins into neighbouring competitors and host cells, providing a fitness advantage that allows this opportunistic nosocomial pathogen to persist and prevail during the onset of infections. However, despite the high clinical relevance of P. aeruginosa, the identity and mode of action of most P. aeruginosa T6SS-dependent effectors remain to be discovered. Here, we report the molecular mechanism of Tse5-CT, the toxic auto-proteolytic product of the P. aeruginosa T6SS exported effector Tse5. Our results demonstrate that Tse5-CT is a pore-forming toxin that can transport ions across the membrane, causing membrane depolarisation and bacterial death. The membrane potential regulates a wide range of essential cellular functions; therefore, membrane depolarisation is an efficient strategy to compete with other microorganisms in polymicrobial environments. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type 6 secretion effector Tse5 forms pores in the cytoplasmic membrane when ectopically produced and hence has a bacteriolytic effect by depolarising the inner membrane potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaia González-Magaña
- Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia/Biofisika Bizkaia Fundazioa (FBB) and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - Jon Altuna
- Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia/Biofisika Bizkaia Fundazioa (FBB) and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - María Queralt-Martín
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, University Jaume I, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - Eneko Largo
- Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia/Biofisika Bizkaia Fundazioa (FBB) and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Spain.,Departamento de Inmunología, Microbiología y Parasitología, University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - Carmen Velázquez
- Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia/Biofisika Bizkaia Fundazioa (FBB) and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - Itxaso Montánchez
- Departamento de Inmunología, Microbiología y Parasitología, University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - Patricia Bernal
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Antonio Alcaraz
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, University Jaume I, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - David Albesa-Jové
- Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia/Biofisika Bizkaia Fundazioa (FBB) and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Spain. .,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013, Bilbao, Spain.
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9
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Rajput A, Tsunemoto H, Sastry AV, Szubin R, Rychel K, Chauhan SM, Pogliano J, Palsson BO. Advanced transcriptomic analysis reveals the role of efflux pumps and media composition in antibiotic responses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:9675-9688. [PMID: 36095122 PMCID: PMC9508857 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and major cause of hospital-acquired infections. The virulence of P. aeruginosa is largely determined by its transcriptional regulatory network (TRN). We used 411 transcription profiles of P. aeruginosa from diverse growth conditions to construct a quantitative TRN by identifying independently modulated sets of genes (called iModulons) and their condition-specific activity levels. The current study focused on the use of iModulons to analyze the biofilm production and antibiotic resistance of P. aeruginosa. Our analysis revealed: (i) 116 iModulons, 81 of which show strong association with known regulators; (ii) novel roles of regulators in modulating antibiotics efflux pumps; (iii) substrate-efflux pump associations; (iv) differential iModulon activity in response to beta-lactam antibiotics in bacteriological and physiological media; (v) differential activation of 'Cell Division' iModulon resulting from exposure to different beta-lactam antibiotics and (vi) a role of the PprB iModulon in the stress-induced transition from planktonic to biofilm lifestyle. In light of these results, the construction of an iModulon-based TRN provides a transcriptional regulatory basis for key aspects of P. aeruginosa infection, such as antibiotic stress responses and biofilm formation. Taken together, our results offer a novel mechanistic understanding of P. aeruginosa virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Rajput
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hannah Tsunemoto
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Anand V Sastry
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Richard Szubin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Rychel
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Siddharth M Chauhan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Joe Pogliano
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Bernhard O Palsson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 220, 2800 Kongens, Lyngby, Denmark
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10
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Lin L, Capozzoli R, Ferrand A, Plum M, Vettiger A, Basler M. Subcellular localization of Type VI secretion system assembly in response to cell–cell contact. EMBO J 2022; 41:e108595. [PMID: 35634969 PMCID: PMC9251886 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria require a number of systems, including the type VI secretion system (T6SS), for interbacterial competition and pathogenesis. The T6SS is a large nanomachine that can deliver toxins directly across membranes of proximal target cells. Since major reassembly of T6SS is necessary after each secretion event, accurate timing and localization of T6SS assembly can lower the cost of protein translocation. Although critically important, mechanisms underlying spatiotemporal regulation of T6SS assembly remain poorly understood. Here, we used super‐resolution live‐cell imaging to show that while Acinetobacter and Burkholderia thailandensis can assemble T6SS at any site, a significant subset of T6SS assemblies localizes precisely to the site of contact between neighboring bacteria. We identified a class of diverse, previously uncharacterized, periplasmic proteins required for this dynamic localization of T6SS to cell–cell contact (TslA). This precise localization is also dependent on the outer membrane porin OmpA. Our analysis links transmembrane communication to accurate timing and localization of T6SS assembly as well as uncovers a pathway allowing bacterial cells to respond to cell–cell contact during interbacterial competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Lin
- Biozentrum University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | | | - Alexia Ferrand
- Biozentrum Imaging Core Facility University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Miro Plum
- Biozentrum University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | | | - Marek Basler
- Biozentrum University of Basel Basel Switzerland
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11
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Wang G, Fan C, Wang H, Jia C, Li X, Yang J, Zhang T, Gao S, Min X, Huang J. Type VI secretion system-associated FHA domain protein TagH regulates the hemolytic activity and virulence of Vibrio cholerae. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2055440. [PMID: 35383540 PMCID: PMC8993066 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2055440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) and hemolysin HlyA are important virulence factors in Vibrio cholerae. The forkhead-associated (FHA) domain is a conserved phosphopeptide binding domain that exists in many regulatory modules. The FHA domain protein-encoding gene is conserved in the T6SS gene cluster and regulates the assembly and secretion of the T6SS. This study shows for the first time that the FHA domain protein TagH plays a role in controlling the hemolytic activity of V. cholerae, in addition to regulating the T6SS. TagH negatively regulates HlyA expression at the transcriptional and post-translational levels. The phosphopeptide binding sites of the FHA domain of TagH play a key role in the regulation of hemolytic activity. The deletion of tagH enhances the intestinal pathogenicity and extraintestinal invasion ability of V. cholerae, which mainly depend on the expression of HlyA. This study provides evidence that helps unravel the novel regulatory role of TagH in HlyA and provides critical insights which will aid in the development of strategies to manage HlyA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangli Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Chan Fan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China,School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China,School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Chengyi Jia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China,School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiaoting Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China,School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jianru Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China,School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China,School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Song Gao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China,School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Xun Min
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China,School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China,CONTACT Xun Min Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China,School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China,Jian Huang School of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi,Guizhou, China
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12
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Cell Envelope Stress Response in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1386:147-184. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08491-1_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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13
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Dadashi M, Chen L, Nasimian A, Ghavami S, Duan K. Putative RNA Ligase RtcB Affects the Switch between T6SS and T3SS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12561. [PMID: 34830443 PMCID: PMC8619066 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant cause of infection in immunocompromised individuals, cystic fibrosis patients, and burn victims. To benefit its survival, the bacterium adapt to either a motile or sessile lifestyle when infecting the host. The motile bacterium has an often activated type III secretion system (T3SS), which is virulent to the host, whereas the sessile bacterium harbors an active T6SS and lives in biofilms. Regulatory pathways involving Gac-Rsm or secondary messengers such as c-di-GMP determine which lifestyle is favorable for P. aeruginosa. Here, we introduce the RNA binding protein RtcB as a modulator of the switch between motile and sessile bacterial lifestyles. Using the wild-type P. aeruginosa PAO1, and a retS mutant PAO1(∆retS) in which T3SS is repressed and T6SS active, we show that deleting rtcB led to simultaneous expression of T3SS and T6SS in both PAO1(∆rtcB) and PAO1(∆rtcB∆retS). The deletion of rtcB also increased biofilm formation in PAO1(∆rtcB) and restored the motility of PAO1(∆rtcB∆retS). RNA-sequencing data suggested RtcB as a global modulator affecting multiple virulence factors, including bacterial secretion systems. Competitive killing and infection assays showed that the three T6SS systems (H1, H2, and H3) in PAO1(∆rtcB) were activated into a functional syringe, and could compete with Escherichia coli and effectively infect lettuce. Western blotting and RT-PCR results showed that RtcB probably exerted its function through RsmA in PAO1(∆rtcB∆retS). Quantification of c-di-GMP showed an elevated intracellular levels in PAO1(∆rtcB), which likely drove the switch between T6SS and T3SS, and contributed to the altered phenotypes and characteristics observed. Our data demonstrate a pivotal role of RtcB in the virulence of P. aeruginosa by controlling multiple virulence determinants, such as biofilm formation, motility, pyocyanin production, T3SS, and T6SS secretion systems towards eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. These findings suggest RtcB as a potential target for controlling P. aeruginosa colonization, establishment, and pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Dadashi
- Department of Oral Biology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada;
| | - Lin Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China;
| | - Ahmad Nasimian
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada; (A.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada; (A.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Kangmin Duan
- Department of Oral Biology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada;
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada
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14
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The two-component system FleS/FleR represses H1-T6SS via c-di-GMP signaling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 88:e0165521. [PMID: 34731046 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01655-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is an important translocation apparatus that is widely employed by Gram-negative bacteria to deliver toxic effectors into eukaryotic and prokaryotic target cells, causing host damage and providing competitive advantages in polymicrobial environments. The genome of P. aeruginosa harbors three T6SS clusters (H1-T6SS, H2-T6SS, H3-T6SS). Activities of these systems are tightly regulated by a complicated signaling network which remains largely elusive. In this study, we focused on a previously characterized two-component system FleS/FleR and performed comparative transcriptome analysis between the PAO1 wild-type strain and its isogenic ΔfleR mutant, which revealed the important role of FleS/FleR in regulating multiple physiological pathways including T6SS. Gene expression and bacterial killing assays showed that the expression and activity of H1-T6SS are repressed in the wild-type strain owing to the high intracellular c-di-GMP content. Further explorations demonstrated that c-di-GMP relies on the transcription factor FleQ to repress H1-T6SS and its synthesis is controlled by a global regulator AmrZ which is induced by the active FleS/FleR. Interestingly, FleS/FleR regulates H1-T6SS in PAO1 is independent of RetS which is known to regulate H1-T6SS by controlling the central post-transcriptional factor RsmA. Together, our results identified a novel regulator of H1-T6SS and provided detailed mechanisms of this signaling pathway in PAO1. IMPORTANCE P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen distributed widely in the environment. The genome of this pathogen contains three T6SS clusters which contribute significantly to its virulence. Understanding the complex regulatory network that controls the activity of T6SS is essential for the development of effective therapeutic treatments for P. aeruginosa infections. In this study, transcriptome analysis led to the identification of a novel regulator FleS/FleR which inversely regulates H1-T6SS and H2-T6SS in P. aeruginosa PAO1. We further revealed a detailed FleS/FleR-mediated regulatory pathway of H1-T6SS in PAO1 which involves two additional transcriptional regulators AmrZ and FleQ and the second messenger c-di-GMP, providing important implications to develop novel anti-infective strategies and antimicrobial drugs.
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15
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Durán D, Bernal P, Vazquez-Arias D, Blanco-Romero E, Garrido-Sanz D, Redondo-Nieto M, Rivilla R, Martín M. Pseudomonas fluorescens F113 type VI secretion systems mediate bacterial killing and adaption to the rhizosphere microbiome. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5772. [PMID: 33707614 PMCID: PMC7970981 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85218-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The genome of Pseudomonas fluorescens F113, a model rhizobacterium and a plant growth-promoting agent, encodes three putative type VI secretion systems (T6SSs); F1-, F2- and F3-T6SS. Bioinformatic analysis of the F113 T6SSs has revealed that they belong to group 3, group 1.1, and group 4a, respectively, similar to those previously described in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, in silico analyses allowed us to identify genes encoding a total of five orphan VgrG proteins and eight putative effectors (Tfe), some with their cognate immunity protein (Tfi) pairs. Genes encoding Tfe and Tfi are found in the proximity of P. fluorescens F113 vgrG, hcp, eagR and tap genes. RNA-Seq analyses in liquid culture and rhizosphere have revealed that F1- and F3-T6SS are expressed under all conditions, indicating that they are active systems, while F2-T6SS did not show any relevant expression under the tested conditions. The analysis of structural mutants in the three T6SSs has shown that the active F1- and F3-T6SSs are involved in interbacterial killing while F2 is not active in these conditions and its role is still unknown.. A rhizosphere colonization analysis of the double mutant affected in the F1- and F3-T6SS clusters showed that the double mutant was severely impaired in persistence in the rhizosphere microbiome, revealing the importance of these two systems for rhizosphere adaption.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Durán
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Darwin, 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Bernal
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Darwin, 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida de la Reina Mercedes, 6, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - David Vazquez-Arias
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Darwin, 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Blanco-Romero
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Darwin, 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Garrido-Sanz
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Darwin, 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Redondo-Nieto
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Darwin, 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Rivilla
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Darwin, 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Martín
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Darwin, 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
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16
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T6SS Mediated Stress Responses for Bacterial Environmental Survival and Host Adaptation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020478. [PMID: 33418898 PMCID: PMC7825059 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a protein secretion apparatus widely distributed in Gram-negative bacterial species. Many bacterial pathogens employ T6SS to compete with the host and to coordinate the invasion process. The T6SS apparatus consists of a membrane complex and an inner tail tube-like structure that is surrounded by a contractile sheath and capped with a spike complex. A series of antibacterial or antieukaryotic effectors is delivered by the puncturing device consisting of a Hcp tube decorated by the VgrG/PAAR complex into the target following the contraction of the TssB/C sheath, which often leads to damage and death of the competitor and/or host cells. As a tool for protein secretion and interspecies interactions, T6SS can be triggered by many different mechanisms to respond to various physiological conditions. This review summarizes our current knowledge of T6SS in coordinating bacterial stress responses against the unfavorable environmental and host conditions.
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17
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Stolle AS, Meader BT, Toska J, Mekalanos JJ. Endogenous membrane stress induces T6SS activity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2018365118. [PMID: 33443205 PMCID: PMC7817224 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2018365118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The type 6 secretion system (T6SS) is a dynamic organelle encoded by many gram-negative bacteria that can be used to kill competing bacterial prey species in densely occupied niches. Some predatory species, such as Vibrio cholerae, use their T6SS in an untargeted fashion while in contrast, Pseudomonas aeruginosa assembles and fires its T6SS apparatus only after detecting initial attacks by other bacterial prey cells; this targeted attack strategy has been termed the T6SS tit-for-tat response. Molecules that interact with the P. aeruginosa outer membrane such as polymyxin B can also trigger assembly of T6SS organelles via a signal transduction pathway that involves protein phosphorylation. Recent work suggests that a phospholipase T6SS effector (TseL) of V. cholerae can induce T6SS dynamic activity in P. aeruginosa when delivered to or expressed in the periplasmic space of this organism. Here, we report that inhibiting expression of essential genes involved in outer membrane biogenesis can also trigger T6SS activation in P. aeruginosa Specifically, we developed a CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system to knock down expression of bamA, tolB, and lptD and found that these knockdowns activated T6SS activity. This increase in T6SS activity was dependent on the same signal transduction pathway that was previously shown to be required for the tit-for-tat response. We conclude that outer membrane perturbation can be sensed by P. aeruginosa to activate the T6SS even when the disruption is generated by aberrant cell envelope biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sophie Stolle
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Institute of Infectiology, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | | | - Jonida Toska
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - John J Mekalanos
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115;
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18
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Smith WPJ, Brodmann M, Unterweger D, Davit Y, Comstock LE, Basler M, Foster KR. The evolution of tit-for-tat in bacteria via the type VI secretion system. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5395. [PMID: 33106492 PMCID: PMC7589516 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19017-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tit-for-tat is a familiar principle from animal behavior: individuals respond in kind to being helped or harmed by others. Remarkably some bacteria appear to display tit-for-tat behavior, but how this evolved is not understood. Here we combine evolutionary game theory with agent-based modelling of bacterial tit-for-tat, whereby cells stab rivals with poisoned needles (the type VI secretion system) after being stabbed themselves. Our modelling shows tit-for-tat retaliation is a surprisingly poor evolutionary strategy, because tit-for-tat cells lack the first-strike advantage of preemptive attackers. However, if cells retaliate strongly and fire back multiple times, we find that reciprocation is highly effective. We test our predictions by competing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a tit-for-tat species) with Vibrio cholerae (random-firing), revealing that P. aeruginosa does indeed fire multiple times per incoming attack. Our work suggests bacterial competition has led to a particular form of reciprocation, where the principle is that of strong retaliation, or 'tits-for-tat'.
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Affiliation(s)
- William P J Smith
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
| | - Maj Brodmann
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Unterweger
- Institute for Experimental Medicine, Kiel University, 24105, Kiel, Germany
- Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306, Plön, Germany
| | - Yohan Davit
- Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse, CNRS and Université de Toulouse, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Laurie E Comstock
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Marek Basler
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kevin R Foster
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
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19
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Perault AI, Chandler CE, Rasko DA, Ernst RK, Wolfgang MC, Cotter PA. Host Adaptation Predisposes Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Type VI Secretion System-Mediated Predation by the Burkholderia cepacia Complex. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 28:534-547.e3. [PMID: 32755549 PMCID: PMC7554260 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) species are opportunistic lung pathogens of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. While P. aeruginosa can initiate long-term infections in younger CF patients, Bcc infections only arise in teenagers and adults. Both P. aeruginosa and Bcc use type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) to mediate interbacterial competition. Here, we show P. aeruginosa isolates from teenage and adult CF patients, but not those from young CF patients, are outcompeted by the epidemic Bcc isolate Burkholderia cenocepacia strain AU1054 in a T6SS-dependent manner. The genomes of susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates harbor T6SS-abrogating mutations, the repair of which, in some cases, rendered the isolates resistant. Moreover, seven of eight Bcc strains outcompeted P. aeruginosa strains isolated from the same patients. Our findings suggest certain mutations that arise as P. aeruginosa adapts to the CF lung abrogate T6SS activity, making P. aeruginosa and its human host susceptible to potentially fatal Bcc superinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew I Perault
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Courtney E Chandler
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - David A Rasko
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Matthew C Wolfgang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Marsio Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Peggy A Cotter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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20
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Rajagopalan K, Dworkin J. Escherichia coli YegI is a novel Ser/Thr kinase lacking conserved motifs that localizes to the inner membrane. FEBS Lett 2020; 594:3530-3541. [PMID: 32888201 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In bacteria, signaling phosphorylation is thought to occur primarily on His and Asp residues. However, phosphoproteomic surveys in phylogenetically diverse bacteria over the past decade have identified numerous proteins that are phosphorylated on Ser and/or Thr residues. Consistently, genes encoding Ser/Thr kinases are present in many bacterial genomes such as in the Escherichia coli genome, which encodes at least three Ser/Thr kinases. Here, we identify a previously uncharacterized ORF, yegI, and demonstrate that it encodes a novel Ser/Thr kinase. YegI lacks several conserved motifs including residues important for Mg2+ binding seen in other bacterial Ser/Thr kinases, suggesting that the consensus may be too stringent. We further find that YegI is a two-pass membrane protein with both N- and C termini located intracellularly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krithika Rajagopalan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Dworkin
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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21
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Sauvage S, Hardouin J. Exoproteomics for Better Understanding Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:E571. [PMID: 32899849 PMCID: PMC7551764 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12090571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common human opportunistic pathogen associated with nosocomial diseases. In 2017, the World Health Organization has classified P. aeruginosa as a critical agent threatening human health, and for which the development of new treatments is urgently necessary. One interesting avenue is to target virulence factors to understand P. aeruginosa pathogenicity. Thus, characterising exoproteins of P. aeruginosa is a hot research topic and proteomics is a powerful approach that provides important information to gain insights on bacterial virulence. The aim of this review is to focus on the contribution of proteomics to the studies of P. aeruginosa exoproteins, highlighting its relevance in the discovery of virulence factors, post-translational modifications on exoproteins and host-pathogen relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salomé Sauvage
- Polymers, Biopolymers, Surface Laboratory, UMR 6270 CNRS, University of Rouen, CEDEX, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France;
- PISSARO Proteomics Facility, IRIB, F-76820 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Julie Hardouin
- Polymers, Biopolymers, Surface Laboratory, UMR 6270 CNRS, University of Rouen, CEDEX, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France;
- PISSARO Proteomics Facility, IRIB, F-76820 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
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22
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Wang J, Brodmann M, Basler M. Assembly and Subcellular Localization of Bacterial Type VI Secretion Systems. Annu Rev Microbiol 2019; 73:621-638. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-020518-115420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria need to deliver large molecules out of the cytosol to the extracellular space or even across membranes of neighboring cells to influence their environment, prevent predation, defeat competitors, or communicate. A variety of protein-secretion systems have evolved to make this process highly regulated and efficient. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is one of the largest dynamic assemblies in gram-negative bacteria and allows for delivery of toxins into both bacterial and eukaryotic cells. The recent progress in structural biology and live-cell imaging shows the T6SS as a long contractile sheath assembled around a rigid tube with associated toxins anchored to a cell envelope by a baseplate and membrane complex. Rapid sheath contraction releases a large amount of energy used to push the tube and toxins through the membranes of neighboring target cells. Because reach of the T6SS is limited, some bacteria dynamically regulate its subcellular localization to precisely aim at their targets and thus increase efficiency of toxin translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, CH 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maj Brodmann
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, CH 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marek Basler
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, CH 4056 Basel, Switzerland
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23
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Liebl D, Robert-Genthon M, Job V, Cogoni V, Attrée I. Baseplate Component TssK and Spatio-Temporal Assembly of T6SS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1615. [PMID: 31379775 PMCID: PMC6657622 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacteria use the contractile multi-molecular structure, called the Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) to inject toxic products into eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. In this study, we use fluorescent protein fusions and time-lapse microscopy imaging to study the assembly dynamics of the baseplate protein TssK in Pseudomonas aeruginosa T6SS. TssK formed transient higher-order structures that correlated with dynamics of sheath component TssB. Assembly of peri-membrane TssK structures occurred de novo upon contact with competing bacteria. We show that this assembly required presence of TagQ-TagR envelope sensors, activity of PpkA kinase and anchoring to the inner membrane via TssM. Disassembly and repositioning of TssK component was dependent on PppA phosphatase and indispensable for repositioning and deployment of the entire contractile apparatus toward a new target cell. We also show that TssE is necessary for correct elongation and stability of TssB-sheath, but not for TssK assembly. Therefore, in P. aeruginosa, assembly of the TssK-containing structure relays on the post-translational regulatory envelope module and acts as spatio-temporal marker for further recruitment and subsequent assembly of the contractile apparatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Liebl
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses, ERL 5261, INSERM, UMR-S 1036, CEA, Grenoble, France
| | - Mylène Robert-Genthon
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses, ERL 5261, INSERM, UMR-S 1036, CEA, Grenoble, France
| | - Viviana Job
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses, ERL 5261, INSERM, UMR-S 1036, CEA, Grenoble, France.,Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), Grenoble, France
| | - Valentina Cogoni
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses, ERL 5261, INSERM, UMR-S 1036, CEA, Grenoble, France
| | - Ina Attrée
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses, ERL 5261, INSERM, UMR-S 1036, CEA, Grenoble, France
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24
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Abundance of bacterial Type VI secretion system components measured by targeted proteomics. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2584. [PMID: 31197144 PMCID: PMC6565705 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10466-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is important for bacterial competition as well as virulence in many Gram-negative bacteria and its dynamics and regulation varies significantly between species. To gain insights into the mechanisms regulating T6SS assembly, we apply targeted proteomics to determine the abundance of the key T6SS components in Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baylyi. We show that while there are species specific exceptions, the abundance of most components is similar in all three bacteria and ranges from less than hundred to tens of thousands of copies per cell. The comparison of T6SS dynamics and protein abundance in V. cholerae grown under various conditions suggests that the critical component TssE and the secreted protein VasX are unstable and this diminishes T6SS assembly when protein synthesis is limited. Our quantitative analysis opens possibilities to build realistic models of T6SS assembly and to identify principles of T6SS regulation in various species. Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) are important for bacterial interaction, competition and virulence, but the abundance and assembly of their components is still not well understood. Here, the authors apply targeted proteomics to measure the abundance of T6SS components across different species and conditions.
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Jiang X, Beust A, Sappa PK, Völker U, Dinse T, Herglotz J, Reinhold-Hurek B. Two Functionally Deviating Type 6 Secretion Systems Occur in the Nitrogen-Fixing Endophyte Azoarcus olearius BH72. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:459. [PMID: 30915056 PMCID: PMC6423157 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Type VI protein secretion systems (T6SSs) have been identified in many plant-associated bacteria. However, despite the fact that effector proteins may modulate host responses or interbacterial competition, only a few have been functionally dissected in detail. We dissected the T6SS in Azoarcus olearius strain BH72, a nitrogen-fixing model endophyte of grasses. The genome harbors two gene clusters encoding putative T6SSs, tss-1 and tss-2, of which only T6SS-2 shared genetic organization and functional homology with the H1-T6SS of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. While tss-2 genes were constitutively expressed, tss-1 genes were strongly up-regulated under conditions of nitrogen fixation. A comparative analysis of the wild type and mutants lacking either functional tss-1 or tss-2 allowed to differentiate the functions of both secretion systems. Abundance of Hcp in the culture supernatant as an indication for T6SS activity revealed that only T6SS-2 was active, either under aerobic or nitrogen-fixing conditions. Our data show that T6SS-2 but not T6SS-1 is post-translationally regulated by phosphorylation mediated by TagE/TagG (PpkA/PppA), and by the phosphorylation-independent inhibitory protein TagF, similar to published work in Pseudomonas. Therefore, T6SS-1 appears to be post-translationally regulated by yet unknown mechanisms. Thus, both T6SS systems appear to perform different functions in Azoarcus, one of them specifically adapted to the nitrogen-fixing lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Jiang
- Department of Microbe-Plant Interactions, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, Center for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Andreas Beust
- Department of Microbe-Plant Interactions, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, Center for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Praveen K. Sappa
- Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Uwe Völker
- Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Theresa Dinse
- Department of Microbe-Plant Interactions, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, Center for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Julia Herglotz
- Department of Microbe-Plant Interactions, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, Center for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Barbara Reinhold-Hurek
- Department of Microbe-Plant Interactions, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, Center for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Ok CK, Chang JH. Crystal Structure of the Type VI Secretion System Accessory Protein TagF from Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Protein Pept Lett 2019; 26:204-214. [PMID: 30659530 DOI: 10.2174/0929866526666190119121859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) has been found in approximately onequarter of the gram-negative bacterial species, and its structural characteristics appear to slightly differ from species to species. The genes encoding T6SS are designated as type six secretion A-M (tssA-M). The expression of the tss gene cluster is regulated by various accessory genes, designated as type VI-associated genes A-P (tagA-P). Tag family proteins have been commonly found in bacteria expressing T6SS but not in all bacterial species. For instance, the tag gene cluster is well-conserved in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa). The PaTagF protein has large homology with ImpM in Rhizobium leguminosarum and SciT in Salmonella enterica. The overexpression of PaTagF represses T6SS complex accumulation and suppresses T6SS antibacterial activity. Thus, the functions of TagF are mediated through direct interactions with the forkhead-associated protein Fha, as evident from the results of the yeast-two hybrid assays. Fha is involved in recruiting a membrane-associated complex either in threonine phosphorylation pathway-dependent or - independent manner. However, functional reports of the tag gene cluster are still limited. OBJECTIVE In this article, our motivation is to understand the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of expression of the type VI secretion system complex. METHODS In this article, we start with obtaining the gene encoding PaTagF protein by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Subsequently, the cloned gene is applied to overexpress of PaTagF protein in Escherichia coli, then purify the recombinant PaTagF protein. Thereafter, the protein is crystallized in a condition of 2.5 M NaCl, 0.1 M imidazole (pH 8.0), 3.2 M NaCl, 0.1 M BIS-TRIS propane (pH 7.0) and diffraction datasets of the PaTagF crystals are collected at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL). The molecular structure of PaTagF protein is determined by molecular replacement using the uncharacterized protein PA0076 (PDB code:2QNU) as an initial search model by PHENIX crystallographic software package. Model building of PaTagF structure is performed using Coot program. Finally, the structural model is validated using phenix.refine program. RESULTS PaTagF exists as a tetramer in the asymmetric unit, and the overall fold of each monomer is composed of continuous beta-sheets wrapped by alpha-helices. Each monomer has variable conformations and lengths of both the N- and C-termini. Twelve residues, including the His6 tag from the N-terminus of a symmetry-related molecule, have been found in two of the tetrameric PaTagF structures. A structural homology search revealed that PaTagF was similar to the α-β-α sandwichlike structure of the longin domain on the differentially expressed in normal and neoplastic (DENN) superfamily, which is commonly found in proteins related to trafficking. CONCLUSION The tetrameric structure of PaTagF comprises varied N- and C-terminal regions in each subunit and may be stabilized by a symmetry-related molecule. This feature was also shown in the TssL structure from V. cholerae. Furthermore, our study showed that the overall fold of PaTagF is homologous to the longin domain of the DENN family. Therefore, further studies are warranted to elucidate the structure-based evolutionary relationship between protein transport systems from the bacteria and eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Kyu Ok
- Department of Biology Education, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, South Korea
| | - Jeong Ho Chang
- Department of Biology Education, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, South Korea
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Lennings J, West TE, Schwarz S. The Burkholderia Type VI Secretion System 5: Composition, Regulation and Role in Virulence. Front Microbiol 2019; 9:3339. [PMID: 30687298 PMCID: PMC6335564 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The soil saprophyte and Tier I select agent Burkholderia pseudomallei can cause rapidly fatal infections in humans and animals. The capability of switching to an intracellular life cycle during infection appears to be a decisive trait of B. pseudomallei for causing disease. B. pseudomallei harbors multiple type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) orthologs of which are present in the surrogate organism Burkholderia thailandensis. Upon host cell entry and vacuolar escape into the cytoplasm, B. pseudomallei and B. thailandensis manipulate host cells by utilizing the T6SS-5 (also termed T6SS1) to form multinucleated giant cells for intercellular spread. Disruption of the T6SS-5 in B. thailandensis causes a drastic attenuation of virulence in wildtype but not in mice lacking the central innate immune adapter protein MyD88. This result suggests that the T6SS-5 is deployed by the bacteria to overcome innate immune responses. However, important questions in this field remain unsolved including the mechanism underlying T6SS-5 activity and its physiological role during infection. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the components and regulation of the T6SS-5 as well as its role in virulence in mammalian hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Lennings
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - T Eoin West
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Sandra Schwarz
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Romero M, Silistre H, Lovelock L, Wright VJ, Chan KG, Hong KW, Williams P, Cámara M, Heeb S. Genome-wide mapping of the RNA targets of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa riboregulatory protein RsmN. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:6823-6840. [PMID: 29718466 PMCID: PMC6061880 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonads typically carry multiple non-identical alleles of the post-transcriptional regulator rsmA. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, RsmN is notable in that its structural rearrangement confers distinct and overlapping functions with RsmA. However, little is known about the specificities of RsmN for its target RNAs and overall impact on the biology of this pathogen. We purified and mapped 503 transcripts directly bound by RsmN in P. aeruginosa. About 200 of the mRNAs identified encode proteins of demonstrated function including some determining acute and chronic virulence traits. For example, RsmN reduces biofilm development both directly and indirectly via multiple pathways, involving control of Pel exopolysaccharide biosynthesis and c-di-GMP levels. The RsmN targets identified are also shared with RsmA, although deletion of rsmN generally results in less pronounced phenotypes than those observed for ΔrsmA or ΔrsmArsmNind mutants, probably as a consequence of different binding affinities. Targets newly identified for the Rsm system include the small non-coding RNA CrcZ involved in carbon catabolite repression, for which differential binding of RsmN and RsmA to specific CrcZ regions is demonstrated. The results presented here provide new insights into the intricacy of riboregulatory networks involving multiple but distinct RsmA homologues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Romero
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Hazel Silistre
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Laura Lovelock
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Victoria J Wright
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Kok-Gan Chan
- International Genome Centre, Jiangsu University,Zhenjiang, China
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kar-Wai Hong
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Paul Williams
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Miguel Cámara
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Stephan Heeb
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
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Crystal structures of the kinase domain of PpkA, a key regulatory component of T6SS, reveal a general inhibitory mechanism. Biochem J 2018; 475:2209-2224. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a versatile and widespread export system found in many Gram-negative bacteria that delivers effector proteins into target cells. The functions of T6SSs are tightly regulated by diverse mechanisms at multiple levels, including post-translational modification through threonine phosphorylation via the Ser/Thr protein kinase (STPK) PpkA. Here, we identified that PpkA is essential for T6SS secretion in Serratia marcescens since its deletion eliminated the secretion of haemolysin co-regulated protein, while the periplasmic and transmembrane portion of PpkA was found to be disposable for T6SS secretion. We further determined the crystal structure of the kinase domain of PpkA (PpkA-294). The structure of PpkA-294 was determined in its apo form to a 1.6 Å resolution as well as in complex with ATP to a 1.41 Å resolution and with an ATP analogue AMP-PCP to a 1.45 Å resolution. The residues in the activation loop of PpkA-294 were fully determined, and the N-terminus of the loop was folded into an unprecedented inhibitory helix, revealing that the PpkA kinase domain was in an auto-inhibitory state. The ternary MgATP–PpkA-294 complex was also inactive with nucleotide ribose and phosphates in unexpected and unproductive conformations. The αC-helix in the inactive PpkA-294 adopted a conformation towards the active site but with the conserved glutamate in the helix rotated away, which we suggest to be a general conformation for all STPK kinases in the inactive form. Structural comparison of PpkA with its eukaryotic homologues reinforced the universal regulation mechanism of protein kinases.
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Ostrowski A, Cianfanelli FR, Porter M, Mariano G, Peltier J, Wong JJ, Swedlow JR, Trost M, Coulthurst SJ. Killing with proficiency: Integrated post-translational regulation of an offensive Type VI secretion system. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007230. [PMID: 30052683 PMCID: PMC6082577 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is widely used by bacterial pathogens as an effective weapon against bacterial competitors and is also deployed against host eukaryotic cells in some cases. It is a contractile nanomachine which delivers toxic effector proteins directly into target cells by dynamic cycles of assembly and firing. Bacterial cells adopt distinct post-translational regulatory strategies for deployment of the T6SS. 'Defensive' T6SSs assemble and fire in response to incoming attacks from aggressive neighbouring cells, and can utilise the Threonine Protein Phosphorylation (TPP) regulatory pathway to achieve this control. However, many T6SSs are 'offensive', firing at all-comers without the need for incoming attack or other cell contact-dependent signal. Post-translational control of the offensive mode has been less well defined but can utilise components of the same TPP pathway. Here, we used the anti-bacterial T6SS of Serratia marcescens to elucidate post-translational regulation of offensive T6SS deployment, using single-cell microscopy and genetic analyses. We show that the integration of the TPP pathway with the negative regulator TagF to control core T6SS machine assembly is conserved between offensive and defensive T6SSs. Signal-dependent PpkA-mediated phosphorylation of Fha is required to overcome inhibition of membrane complex assembly by TagF, whilst PppA-mediated dephosphorylation promotes spatial reorientation and efficient killing. In contrast, the upstream input of the TPP pathway defines regulatory strategy, with a new periplasmic regulator, RtkS, shown to interact with the PpkA kinase in S. marcescens. We propose a model whereby the opposing actions of the TPP pathway and TagF impose a delay on T6SS re-assembly after firing, providing an opportunity for spatial re-orientation of the T6SS in order to maximise the efficiency of competitor cell targeting. Our findings provide a better understanding of how bacterial cells deploy competitive weapons effectively, with implications for the structure and dynamics of varied polymicrobial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Ostrowski
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca R. Cianfanelli
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Porter
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppina Mariano
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Julien Peltier
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Jun Jie Wong
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Jason R. Swedlow
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Trost
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J. Coulthurst
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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Type VI Secretion System Dynamics Reveals a Novel Secretion Mechanism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Bacteriol 2018; 200:JB.00744-17. [PMID: 29555704 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00744-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) inhibits the growth of neighboring bacterial cells through a contact-mediated mechanism. Here, we describe a detailed characterization of the protein localization dynamics in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa T6SS. It has been proposed that the type VI secretion process is driven by a conformational-change-induced contraction of the T6SS sheath. However, although the contraction of an optically resolvable TssBC sheath and the subsequent localization of ClpV are observed in Vibrio cholerae, coordinated assembly and disassembly of TssB and ClpV are observed without TssB contraction in P. aeruginosa These dynamics are inconsistent with the proposed contraction sheath model. Motivated by the phenomenon of dynamic instability, we propose a new model in which ATP hydrolysis, rather than conformational change, generates the force for secretion.IMPORTANCE The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is widely conserved among Gram-negative bacteria and is a central determinant of bacterial fitness in polymicrobial communities. The secretion system targets bacteria and secretes effectors that inhibit the growth of neighboring cells, using a contact-mediated-delivery system. Despite significant homology to the previously characterized Vibrio cholerae T6SS, our analysis reveals that effector secretion is driven by a distinct force generation mechanism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa The presence of two distinct force generation mechanisms in T6SS represents an example of the evolutionary diversification of force generation mechanisms.
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Lin JS, Pissaridou P, Wu HH, Tsai MD, Filloux A, Lai EM. TagF-mediated repression of bacterial type VI secretion systems involves a direct interaction with the cytoplasmic protein Fha. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:8829-8842. [PMID: 29599293 PMCID: PMC5995506 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.001618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial type VI secretion system (T6SS) delivers effectors into eukaryotic host cells or toxins into bacterial competitor for survival and fitness. The T6SS is positively regulated by the threonine phosphorylation pathway (TPP) and negatively by the T6SS-accessory protein TagF. Here, we studied the mechanisms underlying TagF-mediated T6SS repression in two distinct bacterial pathogens, Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We found that in A. tumefaciens, T6SS toxin secretion and T6SS-dependent antibacterial activity are suppressed by a two-domain chimeric protein consisting of TagF and PppA, a putative phosphatase. Remarkably, this TagF domain is sufficient to post-translationally repress the T6SS, and this inhibition is independent of TPP. This repression requires interaction with a cytoplasmic protein, Fha, critical for activating T6SS assembly. In P. aeruginosa, PppA and TagF are two distinct proteins that repress T6SS in TPP-dependent and -independent pathways, respectively. P. aeruginosa TagF interacts with Fha1, suggesting that formation of this complex represents a conserved TagF-mediated regulatory mechanism. Using TagF variants with substitutions of conserved amino acid residues at predicted protein–protein interaction interfaces, we uncovered evidence that the TagF–Fha interaction is critical for TagF-mediated T6SS repression in both bacteria. TagF inhibits T6SS without affecting T6SS protein abundance in A. tumefaciens, but TagF overexpression reduces the protein levels of all analyzed T6SS components in P. aeruginosa. Our results indicate that TagF interacts with Fha, which in turn could impact different stages of T6SS assembly in different bacteria, possibly reflecting an evolutionary divergence in T6SS control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jer-Sheng Lin
- From the Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology and
| | - Panayiota Pissaridou
- the Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Hsin-Hui Wu
- the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan and
| | - Ming-Daw Tsai
- the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan and
| | - Alain Filloux
- the Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Erh-Min Lai
- From the Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology and
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33
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Tryptophan-mediated Dimerization of the TssL Transmembrane Anchor Is Required for Type VI Secretion System Activity. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:987-1003. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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34
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Yang Z, Zhou X, Ma Y, Zhou M, Waldor MK, Zhang Y, Wang Q. Serine/threonine kinase PpkA coordinates the interplay between T6SS2 activation and quorum sensing in the marine pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus. Environ Microbiol 2018; 20:903-919. [PMID: 29314504 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 12/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) are multiprotein secretion machines that can mediate killing of bacterial cells and thereby modify the composition of bacterial communities. The mechanisms that control the production of and secretion of these killing machines are incompletely understood, although quorum sensing (QS) and the PpkA kinase modulate T6SS activity in some organisms. Here we investigated control the T6S in the marine organism Vibrio alginolyticus EPGS, which encodes two T6SS systems (T6SS1 and T6SS2). We found that the organism principally relies on T6SS2 for interbacterial competition. We further carried out a phosphoproteomic screen to identify substrates of the T6SS2-linked PpkA2 kinase. Substrates of PpkA2 encoded within the T6SS2 cluster as well proteins that are apparently not linked to T6SS-related processes were identified. Similar to other organisms, PpkA2 autophosphorylation was critical for T6SS2 function. Notably, phosphorylation of a polypeptide encoded outside of the T6SS2 cluster, VtsR, was critical for T6SS2 expression and function because it augments the expression of luxR, a key regulator of QS that also promotes T6SS2 gene expression. Thus, PpkA2 controls a phosphorylation cascade that mediates a positive regulatory loop entwining T6SS and QS, thereby coordinating these pathways to enhance the competitive fitness of V. alginolyticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhou
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis/Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yue Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Maricultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai, China
| | - Mian Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Maricultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai, China
| | - Matthew K Waldor
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuanxing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Maricultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiyao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.,Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Maricultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai, China
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35
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Wu CF, Smith DA, Lai EM, Chang JH. The Agrobacterium Type VI Secretion System: A Contractile Nanomachine for Interbacterial Competition. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2018; 418:215-231. [PMID: 29992360 DOI: 10.1007/82_2018_99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a contractile nanomachine dedicated to delivering molecules out of bacterial cells. T6SS-encoding loci are in the genome sequences of many Gram-negative bacteria, and T6SS has been implicated in a plethora of roles. In the majority of cases, the T6SSs deliver effector proteins in a contact-dependent manner to antagonize other bacteria. Current models suggest that the effectors are deployed to influence social interactions in microbial communities. In this chapter, we describe the structure, function, and regulation of the T6SS and its effectors. We provide focus on the T6SS of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, the causative agent of crown gall disease, and relate the role of the T6SS to the ecology of A. tumefaciens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Feng Wu
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Delaney A Smith
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Erh-Min Lai
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Jeff H Chang
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
- Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
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Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a multiprotein complex widespread in Proteobacteria and dedicated to the delivery of toxins into both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. It thus participates in interbacterial competition as well as pathogenesis. The T6SS is a contractile weapon, related to the injection apparatus of contractile tailed bacteriophages. Basically, it assembles an inner tube wrapped by a sheath-like structure and anchored to the cell envelope via a membrane complex. The energy released by the contraction of the sheath propels the inner tube through the membrane channel and toward the target cell. Although the assembly and the mechanism of action are conserved across species, the repertoire of secreted toxins and the diversity of the regulatory mechanisms and of target cells make the T6SS a highly versatile secretion system. The T6SS is particularly represented in Escherichia coli pathotypes and Salmonella serotypes. In this review we summarize the current knowledge regarding the prevalence, the assembly, the regulation, and the roles of the T6SS in E. coli, Salmonella, and related species.
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Pan J, Zha Z, Zhang P, Chen R, Ye C, Ye T. Serine/threonine protein kinase PpkA contributes to the adaptation and virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microb Pathog 2017; 113:5-10. [PMID: 29038052 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of nosocomial infections worldwide and has become a serious public health threat, which is attributed to a large extent to its extraordinary environmental adaptability and diverse virulence factors that result in infection and progression of pathogenesis. The eukaryote-type serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) protein kinases, known for playing major regulatory roles in eukaryotes, have been demonstrated to play a central role in regulating various bacterial cellular processes via catalyzing protein phosphorylation. Although PpkA, a Ser/Thr protein kinase first identified in P. aeruginosa, has been implicated in association with bacterial virulence, little is known about the protein. Therefore, in this study, to assess the potential role of PpkA in the regulation of P. aeruginosa environmental adaptation and virulence, variations of biofilm formation, pyocyanin production, tolerance to stress, cell invasion and plant virulence were determined in wild type PAO1, ppkA gene-deleted and complemented mutant strains. Our results indicate that the mutant strain lacking ppkA exhibited a significant decrease of biofilm formation and pyocyanin production, less tolerance to oxidative and osmotic stresses, inefficient invasion of host cells and a reduction of bacterial virulence. These findings provide new insight into the regulation of various cellular processes by PpkA; this is an important mechanism for adaptation and virulence in P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyi Pan
- School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
| | - Zhenzhong Zha
- School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Ran Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Chen Ye
- School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Ting Ye
- School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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Wang Y, Li Y, Wang J, Wang X. FleQ regulates both the type VI secretion system and flagella inPseudomonas putida. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2017; 65:419-427. [DOI: 10.1002/bab.1611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhou Wang
- School of BiotechnologyJiangnan University Wuxi People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Li
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and TechnologyJiangnan University Wuxi People's Republic of China
| | - Jianli Wang
- School of BiotechnologyJiangnan University Wuxi People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and TechnologyJiangnan University Wuxi People's Republic of China
- School of BiotechnologyJiangnan University Wuxi People's Republic of China
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A Transcriptional Regulatory Mechanism Finely Tunes the Firing of Type VI Secretion System in Response to Bacterial Enemies. mBio 2017; 8:mBio.00559-17. [PMID: 28830939 PMCID: PMC5565961 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00559-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to detect and measure danger from an environmental signal is paramount for bacteria to respond accordingly, deploying strategies that halt or counteract potential cellular injury and maximize survival chances. Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are complex bacterial contractile nanomachines able to target toxic effectors into neighboring bacteria competing for the same colonization niche. Previous studies support the concept that either T6SSs are constitutively active or they fire effectors in response to various stimuli, such as high bacterial density, cell-cell contact, nutrient depletion, or components from dead sibling cells. For Serratia marcescens, it has been proposed that its T6SS is stochastically expressed, with no distinction between harmless or aggressive competitors. In contrast, we demonstrate that the Rcs regulatory system is responsible for finely tuning Serratia T6SS expression levels, behaving as a transcriptional rheostat. When confronted with harmless bacteria, basal T6SS expression levels suffice for Serratia to eliminate the competitor. A moderate T6SS upregulation is triggered when, according to the aggressor-prey ratio, an unbalanced interplay between homologous and heterologous effectors and immunity proteins takes place. Higher T6SS expression levels are achieved when Serratia is challenged by a contender like Acinetobacter, which indiscriminately fires heterologous effectors able to exert lethal cellular harm, threatening the survival of the Serratia population. We also demonstrate that Serratia’s RcsB-dependent T6SS regulatory mechanism responds not to general stress signals but to the action of specific effectors from competitors, displaying an exquisite strategy to weigh risks and keep the balance between energy expenditure and fitness costs. Serratia marcescens is among the health-threatening pathogens categorized by the WHO as research priorities to develop alternative antimicrobial strategies, and it was also recently identified as one major component of the gut microbiome in familial Crohn disease dysbiosis. Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) stand among the array of survival strategies that Serratia displays. They are contractile multiprotein complexes able to deliver toxic effectors directed to kill bacterial species sharing the same niche and, thus, competing for vital resources. Here, we show that Serratia is able to detect and measure the extent of damage generated through T6SS-delivered toxins from neighboring bacteria and responds by transcriptionally adjusting the expression level of its own T6SS machinery to counterattack the rival. This strategy allows Serratia to finely tune the production of costly T6SS devices to maximize the chances of successfully fighting against enemies and minimize energy investment. The knowledge of this novel mechanism provides insight to better understand bacterial interactions and design alternative treatments for polymicrobial infections.
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Gallique M, Bouteiller M, Merieau A. The Type VI Secretion System: A Dynamic System for Bacterial Communication? Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1454. [PMID: 28804481 PMCID: PMC5532429 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies in Gram-negative bacteria have focused on the Type VISecretion Systems (T6SSs), Quorum Sensing (QS), and social behavior, such as in biofilms. These interconnected mechanisms are important for bacterial survival; T6SSs allow bacteria to battle other cells, QS is devoted to the perception of bacterial cell density, and biofilm formation is essentially controlled by QS. Here, we review data concerning T6SS dynamics and T6SS–QS cross-talk that suggest the existence of inter-bacterial communication via T6SSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Gallique
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Signaux et Microenvironnement EA 4312, l'Institut Universitaire de Technologie d'Evreux (IUT), Université de Rouen, Normandy UniversityEvreux, France
| | - Mathilde Bouteiller
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Signaux et Microenvironnement EA 4312, l'Institut Universitaire de Technologie d'Evreux (IUT), Université de Rouen, Normandy UniversityEvreux, France
| | - Annabelle Merieau
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Signaux et Microenvironnement EA 4312, l'Institut Universitaire de Technologie d'Evreux (IUT), Université de Rouen, Normandy UniversityEvreux, France
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Abstract
Bacterial type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) function as contractile nanomachines to puncture target cells and deliver lethal effectors. In the 10 years since the discovery of the T6SS, much has been learned about the structure and function of this versatile protein secretion apparatus. Most of the conserved protein components that comprise the T6SS apparatus itself have been identified and ascribed specific functions. In addition, numerous effector proteins that are translocated by the T6SS have been identified and characterized. These protein effectors usually represent toxic cargoes that are delivered by the attacker cell to a target cell. Researchers in the field are beginning to better understand the lifestyle or physiology that dictates when bacteria normally express their T6SS. In this article, we consider what is known about the structure and regulation of the T6SS, the numerous classes of antibacterial effector T6SS substrates, and how the action of the T6SS relates to a given lifestyle or behavior in certain bacteria.
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Tian Y, Zhao Y, Shi L, Cui Z, Hu B, Zhao Y. Type VI Secretion Systems of Erwinia amylovora Contribute to Bacterial Competition, Virulence, and Exopolysaccharide Production. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2017; 107:654-661. [PMID: 28421913 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-11-16-0393-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) plays a major role in mediating interbacterial competition and might contribute to virulence in plant pathogenic bacteria. However, the role of T6SS in Erwinia amylovora remains unknown. In this study, 33 deletion mutants within three T6SS clusters were generated in E. amylovora strain NCPPB1665. Our results showed that all 33 mutants displayed reduced antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli as compared with that of the wild-type (WT) strain, indicating that Erwinia amylovora T6SS are functional. Of the 33 mutants, 19 exhibited reduced virulence on immature pear fruit as compared with that of the WT strain. Among them, 6, 1, and 12 genes belonged to T6SS-1, T6SS-2, and T6SS-3 clusters, respectively. Interestingly, these 19 mutants also produced less amylovoran or levan or both. These findings suggest that E. amylovora T6SS play a role in bacterial competition and virulence possibly by influencing exopolysaccharide production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Tian
- First, third, and fifth authors: College of Plant Protection and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; second author: Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing 210014, China; fourth author: College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; and sixth author: Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana
| | - Yuqiang Zhao
- First, third, and fifth authors: College of Plant Protection and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; second author: Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing 210014, China; fourth author: College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; and sixth author: Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana
| | - Linye Shi
- First, third, and fifth authors: College of Plant Protection and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; second author: Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing 210014, China; fourth author: College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; and sixth author: Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana
| | - Zhongli Cui
- First, third, and fifth authors: College of Plant Protection and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; second author: Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing 210014, China; fourth author: College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; and sixth author: Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana
| | - Baishi Hu
- First, third, and fifth authors: College of Plant Protection and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; second author: Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing 210014, China; fourth author: College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; and sixth author: Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana
| | - Youfu Zhao
- First, third, and fifth authors: College of Plant Protection and Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; second author: Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing 210014, China; fourth author: College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; and sixth author: Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana
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Basler M. Type VI secretion system: secretion by a contractile nanomachine. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 370:rstb.2015.0021. [PMID: 26370934 PMCID: PMC4632598 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion systems (T6SS) are present in about a quarter of all Gram-negative bacteria. Several key components of T6SS are evolutionarily related to components of contractile nanomachines such as phages and R-type pyocins. The T6SS assembly is initiated by formation of a membrane complex that binds a phage-like baseplate with a sharp spike, and this is followed by polymerization of a long rigid inner tube and an outer contractile sheath. Effectors are preloaded onto the spike or into the tube during the assembly by various mechanisms. Contraction of the sheath releases an unprecedented amount of energy, which is used to thrust the spike and tube with the associated effectors out of the effector cell and across membranes of both bacterial and eukaryotic target cells. Subunits of the contracted sheath are recycled by T6SS-specific unfoldase to allow for a new round of assembly. Live-cell imaging has shown that the assembly is highly dynamic and its subcellular localization is in certain bacteria regulated with a remarkable precision. Through the action of effectors, T6SS has mainly been shown to contribute to pathogenicity and competition between bacteria. This review summarizes the knowledge that has contributed to our current understanding of T6SS mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Basler
- Focal Area Infection Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Linares D, Jean N, Van Overtvelt P, Ouidir T, Hardouin J, Blache Y, Molmeret M. The marine bacteria Shewanella frigidimarina NCIMB400 upregulates the type VI secretion system during early biofilm formation. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2016; 8:110-121. [PMID: 26617163 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Shewanella sp. are facultative anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria, extensively studied for their electron transfer ability. Shewanella frigidimarina has been detected and isolated from marine environments, and in particular, from biofilms. However, its ability to adhere to surfaces and form a biofilm is poorly understood. In this study, we show that the ability to adhere and to form a biofilm of S. frigidimarina NCIMB400 is significantly higher than that of Shewanella oneidensis in our conditions. We also show that this strain forms a biofilm in artificial seawater, whereas in Luria-Bertani, this capacity is reduced. To identify proteins involved in early biofilm formation, a proteomic analysis of sessile versus planktonic membrane-enriched fractions allowed the identification of several components of the same type VI secretion system gene cluster: putative Hcp1 and ImpB proteins as well as a forkhead-associated domain-containing protein. The upregulation of Hcp1 a marker of active translocation has been confirmed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Our data demonstrated the presence of a single and complete type VI secretion system in S. frigidimarina NCIMB400 genome, upregulated in sessile compared with planktonic conditions. The fact that three proteins including the secreted protein Hcp1 have been identified may suggest that this type VI secretion system is functional.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Linares
- Université de Toulon, MAPIEM, EA4323, 83957, La Garde, France
| | | | | | - Tassadit Ouidir
- UMR 6270 CNRS, Laboratoire Polymères, Biopolymères, Surfaces, Université de Rouen, Mont-Saint-Aignan, F-76820, France
| | - Julie Hardouin
- UMR 6270 CNRS, Laboratoire Polymères, Biopolymères, Surfaces, Université de Rouen, Mont-Saint-Aignan, F-76820, France
| | - Yves Blache
- Université de Toulon, MAPIEM, EA4323, 83957, La Garde, France
| | - Maëlle Molmeret
- Université de Toulon, MAPIEM, EA4323, 83957, La Garde, France
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Aim, Load, Fire: The Type VI Secretion System, a Bacterial Nanoweapon. Trends Microbiol 2016; 24:51-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 267] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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46
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H-NS Silencing of the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 6-Encoded Type VI Secretion System Limits Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Interbacterial Killing. Infect Immun 2015; 83:2738-50. [PMID: 25916986 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00198-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The secretion of bacterial toxin proteins is achieved by dedicated machineries called secretion systems. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread versatile machine used for the delivery of protein toxins to both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, the expression of the T6SS genes is activated during macrophage or mouse infection. Here, we show that the T6SS gene cluster is silenced by the histone-like nucleoid structuring H-NS protein using a combination of reporter fusions, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, DNase footprinting, and fluorescence microscopy. We further demonstrate that derepression of the S. Typhimurium T6SS genes induces T6SS-dependent intoxication of competing bacteria. Our results suggest that relieving T6SS H-NS silencing may be used as a sense-and-kill mechanism that will help S. Typhimurium to homogenize and synchronize the microbial population to gain efficiency during infection.
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Li P, Kwok AHY, Jiang J, Ran T, Xu D, Wang W, Leung FC. Comparative genome analyses of Serratia marcescens FS14 reveals its high antagonistic potential. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123061. [PMID: 25856195 PMCID: PMC4391916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
S. marcescens FS14 was isolated from an Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz plant that was infected by Fusarium oxysporum and showed symptoms of root rot. With the completion of the genome sequence of FS14, the first comprehensive comparative-genomic analysis of the Serratia genus was performed. Pan-genome and COG analyses showed that the majority of the conserved core genes are involved in basic cellular functions, while genomic factors such as prophages contribute considerably to genome diversity. Additionally, a Type I restriction-modification system, a Type III secretion system and tellurium resistance genes are found in only some Serratia species. Comparative analysis further identified that S. marcescens FS14 possesses multiple mechanisms for antagonism against other microorganisms, including the production of prodigiosin, bacteriocins, and multi-antibiotic resistant determinants as well as chitinases. The presence of two evolutionarily distinct Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) in FS14 may provide further competitive advantages for FS14 against other microbes. To our knowledge, this is the first report of comparative analysis on T6SSs in the genus, which identifies four types of T6SSs in Serratia spp.. Competition bioassays of FS14 against the vital plant pathogenic bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum and fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were performed to support our genomic analyses, in which FS14 demonstrated high antagonistic activities against both bacterial and fungal phytopathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengpeng Li
- Bioinformatics Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Amy H. Y. Kwok
- Bioinformatics Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- Bioinformatics Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
| | - Tingting Ran
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dongqing Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiwu Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Frederick C. Leung
- Bioinformatics Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
- * E-mail:
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LeRoux M, Kirkpatrick RL, Montauti EI, Tran BQ, Peterson SB, Harding BN, Whitney JC, Russell AB, Traxler B, Goo YA, Goodlett DR, Wiggins PA, Mougous JD. Kin cell lysis is a danger signal that activates antibacterial pathways of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. eLife 2015; 4. [PMID: 25643398 PMCID: PMC4348357 DOI: 10.7554/elife.05701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The perception and response to cellular death is an important aspect of multicellular eukaryotic life. For example, damage-associated molecular patterns activate an inflammatory cascade that leads to removal of cellular debris and promotion of healing. We demonstrate that lysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells triggers a program in the remaining population that confers fitness in interspecies co-culture. We find that this program, termed P. aeruginosa response to antagonism (PARA), involves rapid deployment of antibacterial factors and is mediated by the Gac/Rsm global regulatory pathway. Type VI secretion, and, unexpectedly, conjugative type IV secretion within competing bacteria, induce P. aeruginosa lysis and activate PARA, thus providing a mechanism for the enhanced capacity of P. aeruginosa to target bacteria that elaborate these factors. Our finding that bacteria sense damaged kin and respond via a widely distributed pathway to mount a complex response raises the possibility that danger sensing is an evolutionarily conserved process. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.05701.001 Bacteria live in diverse and changing environments where resources such as nutrients and space are often limited. They have thus evolved many survival strategies, including competitive and cooperative behaviors. In the first case, bacteria antagonize or prevent the growth of other microorganisms competing with them for resources, such as by generating antibiotics that specifically target rivals. During cooperation, bacteria may coordinate the production of compounds that have a shared benefit for members of their community. In multicellular organisms, some cell types sense harmful microorganisms by the injury they cause in neighboring cells. This triggers a process that can lead to the production of molecules that kill the invaders and factors that promote the repair of cellular damage. An equivalent process has so far not been described for single-celled organisms such as bacteria. However, bacteria often live in structured groups containing many different species. In this type of growth environment, the ability of bacteria to sense when others of their species are attacked and to respond by taking measures to defend themselves could improve their chances of survival. Now, LeRoux et al. reveal that the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is able to detect ‘danger signals’ released when neighboring P. aeruginosa cells are killed by other bacteria. These signals trigger a response in surviving cells by turning on a pathway that controls a number of antibacterial factors. These include the production of the so-called ‘type VI secretion system’, a molecular machine that delivers a potent cocktail of antibacterial toxins directly into nearby bacteria. This process, which LeRoux et al. have named ‘P. aeruginosa response to antagonism’, or PARA for short, enables P. aeruginosa to thrive when grown with competing bacterial species. P. aeruginosa is notorious for infecting the lungs of people with the genetic disease cystic fibrosis, as well as chronic wounds often found in people with diabetes. In both cases, when P. aeruginosa is present, the numbers of other, often less harmful organisms, tend to decrease. PARA may be one reason for the success of P. aeruginosa in these multi-species infections. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.05701.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele LeRoux
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Robin L Kirkpatrick
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Elena I Montauti
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Bao Q Tran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, United States
| | - S Brook Peterson
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Brittany N Harding
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - John C Whitney
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Alistair B Russell
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Beth Traxler
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Young Ah Goo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, United States
| | - David R Goodlett
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, United States
| | - Paul A Wiggins
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Joseph D Mougous
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
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49
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Chen L, Zou Y, She P, Wu Y. Composition, function, and regulation of T6SS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiol Res 2015; 172:19-25. [PMID: 25721475 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Revised: 01/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial cells can communicate with their surrounding environment through secretion systems. Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is one of the most recently discovered secretion systems, which is distributed widely in Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), an important opportunistic pathogen. This protein secretion system shares similarity with the puncturing device of bacteriophages in structure. P. aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen and distributes widely in diverse environment. T6SS is beneficial to survival advantage of P. aeruginosa by delivering toxins to its neighboring pathogens and translocating protein effectors into the host cells. T6SS is also the virulence factor and takes part in biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa. The functions of T6SS in P. aeruginosa are regulated at transcriptional, posttranscriptional and posttranslational levels by diverse mechanisms. This article reviews the latest progress in the structure, effector proteins, biological function, and regulation mechanisms of P. aeruginosa T6SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Chen
- Department of Medicine Clinical Laboratory, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, PR China
| | - Yaru Zou
- Department of Medicine Clinical Laboratory, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, PR China
| | - Pengfei She
- Department of Medicine Clinical Laboratory, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, PR China
| | - Yong Wu
- Department of Medicine Clinical Laboratory, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, PR China.
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