1
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Chiang BH, Vega G, Dunwoody SC, Patnode ML. Bacterial interactions on nutrient-rich surfaces in the gut lumen. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0048023. [PMID: 38506518 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00480-23] [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] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The intestinal lumen is a turbulent, semi-fluid landscape where microbial cells and nutrient-rich particles are distributed with high heterogeneity. Major questions regarding the basic physical structure of this dynamic microbial ecosystem remain unanswered. Most gut microbes are non-motile, and it is unclear how they achieve optimum localization relative to concentrated aggregations of dietary glycans that serve as their primary source of energy. In addition, a random spatial arrangement of cells in this environment is predicted to limit sustained interactions that drive co-evolution of microbial genomes. The ecological consequences of random versus organized microbial localization have the potential to control both the metabolic outputs of the microbiota and the propensity for enteric pathogens to participate in proximity-dependent microbial interactions. Here, we review evidence suggesting that several bacterial species adopt organized spatial arrangements in the gut via adhesion. We highlight examples where localization could contribute to antagonism or metabolic interdependency in nutrient degradation, and we discuss imaging- and sequencing-based technologies that have been used to assess the spatial positions of cells within complex microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Huey Chiang
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences and Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
| | - Giovanni Vega
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences and Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
| | - Sarah C Dunwoody
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
| | - Michael L Patnode
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
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2
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Das S, Das S, Rath PP, Banerjee A, Gourinath S, Mukhopadhyay AK, Maiti S. Hemolysin Coregulated Protein (HCP) from Vibrio Cholerae Interacts with the Host Cell Actin Cytoskeleton. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2886-2898. [PMID: 39079033 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae), the etiological agent of cholera, employs various virulence factors to adapt and thrive within both aquatic and human host environments. Among these factors, the type VI secretion system (T6SS) stands out as one of the crucial determinants of its pathogenicity. Valine glycine repeat protein G1 (VgrG1) and hemolysin coregulated protein (HCP) are considered major effector molecules of T6SS. Previous studies have highlighted that VgrG1 interacts with HCP proteins. Additionally, it has been shown that VgrG1 possesses an actin cross-linking domain (ACD) with actin-binding activity. Interestingly, it was reported that purified HCP protein treatment increased the stress fibers within cells. Therefore, we hypothesize that HCP may interact with host cell actin, potentially playing a role in the cytoskeletal rearrangement during V. cholerae infection. To test this hypothesis, we characterized HCP from the V. cholerae O139 serotype and demonstrated its interaction with actin monomers. In silico analysis and experimental validation revealed the presence of an actin-binding site within HCP. Furthermore, overexpression of HCP resulted in its colocalization with actin stress fibers in host cells. Our findings establish HCP as an effector molecule for potent host cell actin cytoskeleton remodeling during V. cholerae infection, providing new insights into bacterial pathogenicity mechanisms. Understanding the interplay between bacterial effectors and host cell components is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic interventions against cholera and related infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubham Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Nadia, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Saikat Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Nadia, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | | | - Aishwarya Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Nadia, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Samudrala Gourinath
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | | | - Sankar Maiti
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Nadia, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
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3
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Upton C, Healey J, Rothnie AJ, Goddard AD. Insights into membrane interactions and their therapeutic potential. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 755:109939. [PMID: 38387829 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.109939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Recent research into membrane interactions has uncovered a diverse range of therapeutic opportunities through the bioengineering of human and non-human macromolecules. Although the majority of this research is focussed on fundamental developments, emerging studies are showcasing promising new technologies to combat conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's and inflammatory and immune-based disease, utilising the alteration of bacteriophage, adenovirus, bacterial toxins, type 6 secretion systems, annexins, mitochondrial antiviral signalling proteins and bacterial nano-syringes. To advance the field further, each of these opportunities need to be better understood, and the therapeutic models need to be further optimised. Here, we summarise the knowledge and insights into several membrane interactions and detail their current and potential uses therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calum Upton
- School of Biosciences, Health & Life Science, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Joseph Healey
- Nanosyrinx, The Venture Centre, University of Warwick Science Park, Coventry, CV4 7EZ, UK
| | - Alice J Rothnie
- School of Biosciences, Health & Life Science, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Alan D Goddard
- School of Biosciences, Health & Life Science, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
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4
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Xiong X, Wan W, Ding B, Cai M, Lu M, Liu W. Type VI secretion system drives bacterial diversity and functions in multispecies biofilms. Microbiol Res 2024; 279:127570. [PMID: 38096690 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Type VI secretion system (T6SS) plays an essential role in interspecies interactions and provides an advantage for a strain with T6SS in multispecies biofilms. However, how T6SS drives the bacterial community structure and functions in multispecies biofilms still needs to be determined. Using gene deletion and Illumina sequencing technique, we estimated bacterial community responses in multispecies biofilms to T6SS by introducing T6SS-containing Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Results showed that the niche structure shifts of multispecies biofilms were remarkably higher in the presence of T6SS than in the absence of T6SS. The presence of T6SS significantly drove the variation in microbial composition, reduced the alpha-diversity of bacterial communities in multispecies biofilms, and separately decreased and increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota. Co-occurrence network analysis with inferred putative bacterial interactions indicated that P. putida KT2440 mainly displayed strong negative associations with the genera of Psychrobacter, Cellvibrio, Stenotrophomonas, and Brevundimonas. Moreover, the function redundancy index of the bacterial community was strikingly higher in the presence of T6SS than in the absence of T6SS, regardless of whether relative abundances of bacterial taxa were inhibited or promoted. Remarkably, the increased metabolic network similarity with T6SS-containing P. putida KT2440 could enhance the antibacterial activity of P. putida KT2440 on other bacterial taxa. Our findings extend knowledge of microbial adaptation strategies to potential bacterial weapons and could contribute to predicting biodiversity loss and change in ecological functions caused by T6SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Wenjie Wan
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Bangjing Ding
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Miaomiao Cai
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Mingzhu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Wenzhi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
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5
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Beauvois SG, Flaugnatti N, Ilbert M, Boyer M, Gavello-Fernandez E, Fronzes R, Jurėnas D, Journet L. The tip protein PAAR is required for the function of the type VI secretion system. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0147823. [PMID: 37800964 PMCID: PMC10715212 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01478-23] [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: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a bacterial contractile injection system involved in bacterial competition by the delivery of antibacterial toxins. The T6SS consists of an envelope-spanning complex that recruits the baseplate, allowing the polymerization of a contractile tail structure. The tail is a tube wrapped by a sheath and topped by the tip of the system, the VgrG spike/PAAR complex. Effectors loaded onto the puncturing tip or into the tube are propelled in the target cells upon sheath contraction. The PAAR protein tips and sharpens the VgrG spike. However, the importance and the function of this protein remain unclear. Here, we provide evidence for association of PAAR at the tip of the VgrG spike. We also found that the PAAR protein is a T6SS critical component required for baseplate and sheath assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solène G. Beauvois
- Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires, Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Université - CNRS UMR7255, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Flaugnatti
- Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires, Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Université - CNRS UMR7255, Marseille, France
| | - Marianne Ilbert
- Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Université - CNRS UMR7281, Marseille, France
| | - Marie Boyer
- Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires, Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Université - CNRS UMR7255, Marseille, France
| | - Esther Gavello-Fernandez
- Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
- CNRS UMR 5234 Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, Bordeaux, France
| | - Rémi Fronzes
- Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
- CNRS UMR 5234 Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, Bordeaux, France
| | - Dukas Jurėnas
- Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires, Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Université - CNRS UMR7255, Marseille, France
| | - Laure Journet
- Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires, Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Université - CNRS UMR7255, Marseille, France
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6
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Yang D, Zhao L, Li Q, Huang L, Qin Y, Wang P, Zhu C, Yan Q. The involvement of the T6SS vgrG gene in the pathogenicity of Pseudomonas plecoglossicida. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2023; 46:1097-1108. [PMID: 37401135 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, the causative agent of white spot disease of large yellow croaker, has caused serious economic losses to the aquaculture industry. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a significant virulence system widely distributed among Gram-negative bacteria. VgrG, a structural and core component of T6SS, is crucial to the function of T6SS. To explore the biological profiles mediated by vgrG gene and its effects on the pathogenicity of P. plecoglossicida, the vgrG gene deletion (ΔvgrG) strain and complementary (C-ΔvgrG) strain were constructed and the differences in pathogenicity and virulence-related characteristics between different strains were analysed. The results showed that vgrG gene deletion significantly affected the virulence-related characteristics of P. plecoglossicida, including chemotaxis, adhesion, and biofilm formation. In addition, the LD50 of ΔvgrG strain was nearly 50-fold higher than that of the NZBD9 strain. Transcriptome data analysis suggested that the vgrG gene may affect the virulence of P. plecoglossicida by regulating the quorum sensing pathway to inhibit the secretion of virulence factors and affect biofilm formation. Besides, deletion of the vgrG gene may reduce bacterial pathogenicity by affecting bacterial signal transduction processes and the ability to adapt to chemotactic substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dou Yang
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Lingmin Zhao
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Qi Li
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Lixing Huang
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yingxue Qin
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Functional Feed and Environmental Regulation of Fujian Province, Fujian Dabeinong Aquatic Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd, Zhangzhou, China
| | - Chuanzhong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Functional Feed and Environmental Regulation of Fujian Province, Fujian Dabeinong Aquatic Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd, Zhangzhou, China
| | - Qingpi Yan
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
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7
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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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8
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He W, Wu K, Ouyang Z, Bai Y, Luo W, Wu D, An H, Guo Y, Jiao M, Qin Q, Zhang J, Wu Y, She J, Hwang PM, Zheng F, Zhu L, Wen Y. Structure and assembly of type VI secretion system cargo delivery vehicle. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112781. [PMID: 37421630 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Type VI secretion system is widely used in Gram-negative bacteria for injecting toxic effectors into neighboring prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. Various effectors can be loaded onto the T6SS delivery tube via its core components: Hcp, VgrG, or PAAR. Here, we report 2.8-Å resolution cryo-EM structure of intact T6SS Hcp5-VgrG-PAAR cargo delivery system and crystal structure of unbound Hcp5 from B. fragilis NCTC 9343. Loading of Hcp5 hexameric ring onto VgrG causes expansion of its inner cavity and external surface, explaining how structural changes could be propagated to regulate co-polymerization and surrounding contractile sheath. High-affinity binding between Hcp and VgrG causes entropically unfavorable structuring of long loops. Furthermore, interactions between VgrG trimer and Hcp hexamer are asymmetric, with three of the six Hcp monomers exhibiting a major loop flip. Our study provides insights into the assembly, loading, and firing of T6SS nanomachine that contributes to bacterial inter-species competition and host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo He
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Ke Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhenlin Ouyang
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yixin Bai
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Wen Luo
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Di Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Hao An
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yucheng Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Min Jiao
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Qian Qin
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yi Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Junjun She
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Peter M Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Fang Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Li Zhu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Electron Microscopy Centre of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Yurong Wen
- Center for Microbiome Research of Med-X Institute, Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Sepsis in Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China; The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.
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9
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Calder A, Snyder LAS. Diversity of the type VI secretion systems in the Neisseria spp. Microb Genom 2023; 9. [PMID: 37052605 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000986] [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: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Complete Type VI Secretion Systems were identified in the genome sequence data of Neisseria subflava isolates sourced from throat swabs of human volunteers. The previous report was the first to describe two complete Type VI Secretion Systems in these isolates, both of which were distinct in terms of their gene organization and sequence homology. Since publication of the first report, Type VI Secretion System subtypes have been identified in Neisseria spp. The characteristics of each type in N. subflava are further investigated here and in the context of the other Neisseria spp., including identification of the lineages containing the different types and subtypes. Type VI Secretion Systems use VgrG for delivery of toxin effector proteins; several copies of vgrG and associated effector / immunity pairs are present in Neisseria spp. Based on sequence similarity between strains and species, these core Type VI Secretion System genes, vgrG, and effector / immunity genes may diversify via horizontal gene transfer, an instrument for gene acquisition and repair in Neisseria spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Calder
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Lori A S Snyder
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
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10
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Vanlioğlu E, Santin YG, Filella-Merce I, Pellarin R, Cascales E. Coevolution-Guided Mapping of the Type VI Secretion Membrane Complex-Baseplate Interface. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167918. [PMID: 36509161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a multiprotein weapon evolved by Gram-negative bacteria to deliver effectors into eukaryotic cells or bacterial rivals. The T6SS uses a contractile mechanism to propel an effector-loaded needle into its target. The contractile tail is built on an assembly platform, the baseplate, which is anchored to a membrane complex. Baseplate-membrane complex interactions are mainly mediated by contacts between the C-terminal domain of the TssK baseplate component and the cytoplasmic domain of the TssL inner membrane protein. Currently, the structural details of this interaction are unknown due to the marginal stability of the TssK-TssL complex. Here we conducted a mutagenesis study based on putative TssK-TssL contact pairs identified by co-evolution analyses. We then evaluated the impact of these mutations on T6SS activity, TssK-TssL interaction and sheath assembly and dynamics in enteroaggregative Escherichia coli. Finally, we probed the TssK-TssL interface by disulfide cross-linking, allowing to propose a model for the baseplate-membrane complex interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Vanlioğlu
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IM2B), CNRS - Aix-Marseille Université UMR7255, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier CS70071, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
| | - Yoann G Santin
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IM2B), CNRS - Aix-Marseille Université UMR7255, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier CS70071, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
| | - Isaac Filella-Merce
- Structural Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3528, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Riccardo Pellarin
- Structural Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3528, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Eric Cascales
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IM2B), CNRS - Aix-Marseille Université UMR7255, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier CS70071, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France.
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11
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Hespanhol JT, Sanchez-Limache DE, Nicastro GG, Mead L, Llontop EE, Chagas-Santos G, Farah CS, de Souza RF, Galhardo RDS, Lovering AL, Bayer-Santos E. Antibacterial T6SS effectors with a VRR-Nuc domain are structure-specific nucleases. eLife 2022; 11:e82437. [PMID: 36226828 PMCID: PMC9635880 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) secretes antibacterial effectors into target competitors. Salmonella spp. encode five phylogenetically distinct T6SSs. Here, we characterize the function of the SPI-22 T6SS of Salmonella bongori showing that it has antibacterial activity and identify a group of antibacterial T6SS effectors (TseV1-4) containing an N-terminal PAAR-like domain and a C-terminal VRR-Nuc domain encoded next to cognate immunity proteins with a DUF3396 domain (TsiV1-4). TseV2 and TseV3 are toxic when expressed in Escherichia coli and bacterial competition assays confirm that TseV2 and TseV3 are secreted by the SPI-22 T6SS. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that TseV1-4 are evolutionarily related to enzymes involved in DNA repair. TseV3 recognizes specific DNA structures and preferentially cleave splayed arms, generating DNA double-strand breaks and inducing the SOS response in target cells. The crystal structure of the TseV3:TsiV3 complex reveals that the immunity protein likely blocks the effector interaction with the DNA substrate. These results expand our knowledge on the function of Salmonella pathogenicity islands, the evolution of toxins used in biological conflicts, and the endogenous mechanisms regulating the activity of these toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Takuno Hespanhol
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | | | | | - Liam Mead
- Department of Biosciences, University of BirminghamBirminghamUnited Kingdom
| | - Edgar Enrique Llontop
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Gustavo Chagas-Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Chuck Shaker Farah
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Robson Francisco de Souza
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Rodrigo da Silva Galhardo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Andrew L Lovering
- Department of Biosciences, University of BirminghamBirminghamUnited Kingdom
| | - Ethel Bayer-Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
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12
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Lorente Cobo N, Sibinelli-Sousa S, Biboy J, Vollmer W, Bayer-Santos E, Prehna G. Molecular characterization of the type VI secretion system effector Tlde1a reveals a structurally altered LD-transpeptidase fold. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102556. [PMID: 36183829 PMCID: PMC9638812 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a molecular machine that Gram-negative bacteria have adapted for multiple functions, including interbacterial competition. Bacteria use the T6SS to deliver protein effectors into adjacent cells to kill rivals and establish niche dominance. Central to T6SS-mediated bacterial competition is an arms race to acquire diverse effectors to attack and neutralize target cells. The peptidoglycan has a central role in bacterial cell physiology, and effectors that biochemically modify peptidoglycan structure effectively induce cell death. One such T6SS effector is Tlde1a from Salmonella Typhimurium. Tlde1a functions as an LD-carboxypeptidase to cleave tetrapeptide stems and as an LD-transpeptidase to exchange the terminal D-alanine of a tetrapeptide stem with a noncanonical D-amino acid. To understand how Tlde1a exhibits toxicity at the molecular level, we determined the X-ray crystal structure of Tlde1a alone and in complex with D-amino acids. Our structural data revealed that Tlde1a possesses a unique LD-transpeptidase fold consisting of a dual pocket active site with a capping subdomain. This includes an exchange pocket to bind a D-amino acid for exchange and a catalytic pocket to position the D-alanine of a tetrapeptide stem for cleavage. Our toxicity assays in Escherichia coli and in vitro peptidoglycan biochemical assays with Tlde1a variants correlate Tlde1a molecular features directly to its biochemical functions. We observe that the LD-carboxypeptidase and LD-transpeptidase activities of Tlde1a are both structurally and functionally linked. Overall, our data highlight how an LD-transpeptidase fold has been structurally altered to create a toxic effector in the T6SS arms race.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Lorente Cobo
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Stephanie Sibinelli-Sousa
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jacob Biboy
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Waldemar Vollmer
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Ethel Bayer-Santos
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gerd Prehna
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
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13
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A Quorum Sensing-Regulated Type VI Secretion System Containing Multiple Nonredundant VgrG Proteins Is Required for Interbacterial Competition in Chromobacterium violaceum. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0157622. [PMID: 35876575 PMCID: PMC9430734 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01576-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The environmental pathogenic bacterium Chromobacterium violaceum kills Gram-positive bacteria by delivering violacein packed into outer membrane vesicles, but nothing is known about its contact-dependent competition mechanisms. In this work, we demonstrate that C. violaceum utilizes a type VI secretion system (T6SS) containing multiple VgrG proteins primarily for interbacterial competition. The single T6SS of C. violaceum contains six vgrG genes, which are located in the main T6SS cluster and four vgrG islands. Using T6SS core component-null mutant strains, Western blotting, fluorescence microscopy, and competition assays, we showed that the C. violaceum T6SS is active and required for competition against Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa but dispensable for C. violaceum infection in mice. Characterization of single and multiple vgrG mutants revealed that, despite having high sequence similarity, the six VgrGs show little functional redundancy, with VgrG3 showing a major role in T6SS function. Our coimmunoprecipitation data support a model of VgrG3 interacting directly with the other VgrGs. Moreover, we determined that the promoter activities of T6SS genes increased at high cell density, but the produced Hcp protein was not secreted under such condition. This T6SS growth phase-dependent regulation was dependent on CviR but not on CviI, the components of a C. violaceum quorum sensing (QS) system. Indeed, a ΔcviR but not a ΔcviI mutant was completely defective in Hcp secretion, T6SS activity, and interbacterial competition. Overall, our data reveal that C. violaceum relies on a QS-regulated T6SS to outcompete other bacteria and expand our knowledge about the redundancy of multiple VgrGs. IMPORTANCE The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a contractile nanomachine used by many Gram-negative bacteria to inject toxic effectors into adjacent cells. The delivered effectors are bound to the components of a puncturing apparatus containing the protein VgrG. The T6SS has been implicated in pathogenesis and, more commonly, in competition among bacteria. Chromobacterium violaceum is an environmental bacterium that causes deadly infections in humans. In this work, we characterized the single T6SS of C. violaceum ATCC 12472, including its six VgrG proteins, regarding its function and regulation. This previously undescribed C. violaceum T6SS is active, regulated by QS, and required for interbacterial competition instead of acute infection in mice. Among the VgrGs, VgrG3, encoded outside the main T6SS cluster, showed a major contribution to T6SS function. These results shed light on a key contact-dependent killing mechanism used by C. violaceum to antagonize other bacteria.
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14
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Tsuji A, Takei Y, Azuma Y. Establishment of genetic tools for genomic DNA engineering of Halomonas sp. KM-1, a bacterium with potential for biochemical production. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:122. [PMID: 35725447 PMCID: PMC9208146 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01797-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Halomonas species are halophilic and alkaliphilic bacteria, which exhibit potential for industrial production of a variety of chemicals, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates and ectoine, by fermentation because of their favorable characteristics, including high-density culturing capacity and low risk of contamination. However, genetic tools to modify the metabolism of Halomonas for suitable fermentation performance are limited. In this study, we developed two independent basic vectors for Halomonas, named pUCpHAw and pHA1AT_32, consisting of ori regions from two plasmids isolated from Halomonas sp. A020, and chloramphenicol- and tetracycline-resistant genes as cloning markers, respectively. These vectors can independently transform and co-transform the Halomonas sp. KM-1 (KM-1). A protein that was highly and constitutively accumulated was identified as a hemolysin coregulated protein (Hcp) based on proteome analysis of KM-1. Using the hcp promoter, various genes, such as phaA and EGFP, were highly expressed. To establish a gene disruption system, the Streptococcus pyogenes cas9 gene and guide RNA for the pyrF gene, a yeast URA3 homologue, were expressed in pUCpHAw and pHA1AT_32, respectively. As a result, gene disruption mutants were isolated based on phenotypes, 5-fluoroorotic acid resistance, and uracil auxotrophy. A combination of KM-1 and these vectors could be a suitable platform for industrial chemical and protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Tsuji
- Graduate School of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Yasuko Takei
- Graduate School of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Yoshinao Azuma
- Graduate School of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Wakayama, Japan.
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15
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Amaya FA, Blondel CJ, Barros-Infante MF, Rivera D, Moreno-Switt AI, Santiviago CA, Pezoa D. Identification of Type VI Secretion Systems Effector Proteins That Contribute to Interbacterial Competition in Salmonella Dublin. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:811932. [PMID: 35222335 PMCID: PMC8867033 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.811932] [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: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) is a multiprotein device that has emerged as an important fitness and virulence factor for many Gram-negative bacteria through the injection of effector proteins into prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells via a contractile mechanism. While some effector proteins specifically target bacterial or eukaryotic cells, others can target both types of cells (trans-kingdom effectors). In Salmonella, five T6SS gene clusters have been identified within pathogenicity islands SPI-6, SPI-19, SPI-20, SPI-21, and SPI-22, which are differentially distributed among serotypes. Salmonella enterica serotype Dublin (S. Dublin) is a cattle-adapted pathogen that harbors both T6SSSPI-6 and T6SSSPI-19. Interestingly, while both systems have been linked to virulence and host colonization in S. Dublin, an antibacterial activity has not been detected for T6SSSPI-6 in this serotype. In addition, there is limited information regarding the repertoire of effector proteins encoded within T6SSSPI-6 and T6SSSPI-19 gene clusters in S. Dublin. In the present study, we demonstrate that T6SSSPI-6 and T6SSSPI-19 of S. Dublin CT_02021853 contribute to interbacterial competition. Bioinformatic and comparative genomic analyses allowed us to identify genes encoding three candidate antibacterial effectors located within SPI-6 and two candidate effectors located within SPI-19. Each antibacterial effector gene is located upstream of a gene encoding a hypothetic immunity protein, thus conforming an effector/immunity (E/I) module. Of note, the genes encoding these effectors and immunity proteins are widely distributed in Salmonella genomes, suggesting a relevant role in interbacterial competition and virulence. Finally, we demonstrate that E/I modules SED_RS01930/SED_RS01935 (encoded in SPI-6), SED_RS06235/SED_RS06230, and SED_RS06335/SED_RS06340 (both encoded in SPI-19) contribute to interbacterial competition in S. Dublin CT_02021853.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando A. Amaya
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos J. Blondel
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Dácil Rivera
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrea I. Moreno-Switt
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Initiative on Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance (MICROB-R), Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos A. Santiviago
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- *Correspondence: Carlos A. Santiviago, David Pezoa,
| | - David Pezoa
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- *Correspondence: Carlos A. Santiviago, David Pezoa,
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16
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Günther P, Quentin D, Ahmad S, Sachar K, Gatsogiannis C, Whitney JC, Raunser S. Structure of a bacterial Rhs effector exported by the type VI secretion system. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010182. [PMID: 34986192 PMCID: PMC8765631 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread protein export apparatus found in Gram-negative bacteria. The majority of T6SSs deliver toxic effector proteins into competitor bacteria. Yet, the structure, function, and activation of many of these effectors remains poorly understood. Here, we present the structures of the T6SS effector RhsA from Pseudomonas protegens and its cognate T6SS spike protein, VgrG1, at 3.3 Å resolution. The structures reveal that the rearrangement hotspot (Rhs) repeats of RhsA assemble into a closed anticlockwise β-barrel spiral similar to that found in bacterial insecticidal Tc toxins and in metazoan teneurin proteins. We find that the C-terminal toxin domain of RhsA is autoproteolytically cleaved but remains inside the Rhs ‘cocoon’ where, with the exception of three ordered structural elements, most of the toxin is disordered. The N-terminal ‘plug’ domain is unique to T6SS Rhs proteins and resembles a champagne cork that seals the Rhs cocoon at one end while also mediating interactions with VgrG1. Interestingly, this domain is also autoproteolytically cleaved inside the cocoon but remains associated with it. We propose that mechanical force is required to remove the cleaved part of the plug, resulting in the release of the toxin domain as it is delivered into a susceptible bacterial cell by the T6SS. Bacteria have developed a variety of strategies to compete for nutrients and limited resources. One system widely used by Gram-negative bacteria is the T6 secretion system which delivers a plethora of effectors into competing bacterial cells. Known functions of effectors are degradation of the cell wall, the depletion of essential metabolites such as NAD+ or the cleavage of DNA. RhsA is an effector from the widespread plant-protecting bacteria Pseudomonas protegens. We found that RhsA forms a closed cocoon similar to that found in bacterial Tc toxins and metazoan teneurin proteins. The effector cleaves its polypeptide chain by itself in three pieces, namely the N-terminal domain including a seal, the cocoon and the actual toxic component which potentially cleaves DNA. The toxic component is encapsulated in the large cocoon, so that the effector producing bacterium is protected from the toxin. In order for the toxin to exit the cocoon, we propose that the seal, which closes the cocoon at one end, is removed by mechanical forces during injection of the effector by the T6 secretion system. We further hypothesize about different scenarios for the delivery of the toxin into the cytoplasm of the host cell. Together, our findings expand the knowledge of the mechanism of action of the T6 secretion system and its essential role in interbacterial competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Günther
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Dennis Quentin
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Shehryar Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Kartik Sachar
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Christos Gatsogiannis
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - John C. Whitney
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- * E-mail: (J.C.W.); (S.R.)
| | - Stefan Raunser
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
- * E-mail: (J.C.W.); (S.R.)
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17
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Gallegos-Monterrosa R, Coulthurst SJ. The ecological impact of a bacterial weapon: microbial interactions and the Type VI secretion system. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:fuab033. [PMID: 34156081 PMCID: PMC8632748 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria inhabit all known ecological niches and establish interactions with organisms from all kingdoms of life. These interactions are mediated by a wide variety of mechanisms and very often involve the secretion of diverse molecules from the bacterial cells. The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a bacterial protein secretion system that uses a bacteriophage-like machinery to secrete a diverse array of effectors, usually translocating them directly into neighbouring cells. These effectors display toxic activity in the recipient cell, making the T6SS an effective weapon during inter-bacterial competition and interactions with eukaryotic cells. Over the last two decades, microbiology research has experienced a shift towards using systems-based approaches to study the interactions between diverse organisms and their communities in an ecological context. Here, we focus on this aspect of the T6SS. We consider how our perspective of the T6SS has developed and examine what is currently known about the impact that bacteria deploying the T6SS can have in diverse environments, including niches associated with plants, insects and mammals. We consider how T6SS-mediated interactions can affect host organisms by shaping their microbiota, as well as the diverse interactions that can be established between different microorganisms through the deployment of this versatile secretion system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah J Coulthurst
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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18
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Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a bacterial nanoscale weapon that delivers toxins into prey ranging from bacteria and fungi to animal hosts. The cytosolic contractile sheath of the system wraps around stacked hexameric rings of Hcp proteins, which form an inner tube. At the tip of this tube is a puncturing device comprising a trimeric VgrG topped by a monomeric PAAR protein. The number of toxins a single system delivers per firing event remains unknown, since effectors can be loaded on diverse sites of the T6SS apparatus, notably the inner tube and the puncturing device. Each VgrG or PAAR can bind one effector, and additional effector cargoes can be carried in the Hcp ring lumen. While many VgrG- and PAAR-bound toxins have been characterized, to date, very few Hcp-bound effectors are known. Here, we used 3 known Pseudomonas aeruginosa Hcp proteins (Hcp1 to -3), each of which associates with one of the three T6SSs in this organism (H1-T6SS, H2-T6SS, and H3-T6SS), to perform in vivo pulldown assays. We confirmed the known interactions of Hcp1 with Tse1 to -4, further copurified a Hcp1-Tse4 complex, and identified potential novel Hcp1-bound effectors. Moreover, we demonstrated that Hcp2 and Hcp3 can shuttle T6SS cargoes toxic to Escherichia coli. Finally, we used a Tse1-Bla chimera to probe the loading strategy for Hcp passengers and found that while large effectors can be loaded onto Hcp, the formed complex jams the system, abrogating T6SS function.
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19
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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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20
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Secrete or perish: The role of secretion systems in Xanthomonas biology. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 19:279-302. [PMID: 33425257 PMCID: PMC7777525 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the Xanthomonas genus are mainly phytopathogens of a large variety of crops of economic importance worldwide. Xanthomonas spp. rely on an arsenal of protein effectors, toxins and adhesins to adapt to the environment, compete with other microorganisms and colonize plant hosts, often causing disease. These protein effectors are mainly delivered to their targets by the action of bacterial secretion systems, dedicated multiprotein complexes that translocate proteins to the extracellular environment or directly into eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Type I to type VI secretion systems have been identified in Xanthomonas genomes. Recent studies have unravelled the diverse roles played by the distinct types of secretion systems in adaptation and virulence in xanthomonads, unveiling new aspects of their biology. In addition, genome sequence information from a wide range of Xanthomonas species and pathovars have become available recently, uncovering a heterogeneous distribution of the distinct families of secretion systems within the genus. In this review, we describe the architecture and mode of action of bacterial type I to type VI secretion systems and the distribution and functions associated with these important nanoweapons within the Xanthomonas genus.
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21
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Ahmad S, Tsang KK, Sachar K, Quentin D, Tashin TM, Bullen NP, Raunser S, McArthur AG, Prehna G, Whitney JC. Structural basis for effector transmembrane domain recognition by type VI secretion system chaperones. eLife 2020; 9:e62816. [PMID: 33320089 PMCID: PMC7773334 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) deliver antibacterial effector proteins between neighboring bacteria. Many effectors harbor N-terminal transmembrane domains (TMDs) implicated in effector translocation across target cell membranes. However, the distribution of these TMD-containing effectors remains unknown. Here, we discover prePAAR, a conserved motif found in over 6000 putative TMD-containing effectors encoded predominantly by 15 genera of Proteobacteria. Based on differing numbers of TMDs, effectors group into two distinct classes that both require a member of the Eag family of T6SS chaperones for export. Co-crystal structures of class I and class II effector TMD-chaperone complexes from Salmonella Typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, reveals that Eag chaperones mimic transmembrane helical packing to stabilize effector TMDs. In addition to participating in the chaperone-TMD interface, we find that prePAAR residues mediate effector-VgrG spike interactions. Taken together, our findings reveal mechanisms of chaperone-mediated stabilization and secretion of two distinct families of T6SS membrane protein effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shehryar Ahmad
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
| | - Kara K Tsang
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
| | - Kartik Sachar
- Department of Microbiology, University of ManitobaWinnipegCanada
| | - Dennis Quentin
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular PhysiologyDortmundGermany
| | - Tahmid M Tashin
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
| | - Nathan P Bullen
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
| | - Stefan Raunser
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular PhysiologyDortmundGermany
| | - Andrew G McArthur
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
- David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
| | - Gerd Prehna
- Department of Microbiology, University of ManitobaWinnipegCanada
| | - John C Whitney
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
- David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
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22
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Monjarás Feria J, Valvano MA. An Overview of Anti-Eukaryotic T6SS Effectors. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:584751. [PMID: 33194822 PMCID: PMC7641602 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.584751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a transmembrane multiprotein nanomachine employed by many Gram-negative bacterial species to translocate, in a contact-dependent manner, effector proteins into adjacent prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. Typically, the T6SS gene cluster encodes at least 13 conserved core components for the apparatus assembly and other less conserved accessory proteins and effectors. It functions as a contractile tail machine comprising a TssB/C sheath and an expelled puncturing device consisting of an Hcp tube topped by a spike complex of VgrG and PAAR proteins. Contraction of the sheath propels the tube out of the bacterial cell into a target cell and leads to the injection of toxic proteins. Different bacteria use the T6SS for specific roles according to the niche and versatility of the organism. Effectors are present both as cargo (by non-covalent interactions with one of the core components) or specialized domains (fused to structural components). Although several anti-prokaryotic effectors T6SSs have been studied, recent studies have led to a substantial increase in the number of characterized anti-eukaryotic effectors. Against eukaryotic cells, the T6SS is involved in modifying and manipulating diverse cellular processes that allows bacteria to colonize, survive and disseminate, including adhesion modification, stimulating internalization, cytoskeletal rearrangements and evasion of host innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miguel A. Valvano
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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Liu Z, Zhao L, Huang L, Qin Y, Zhang J, Zhang J, Yan Q. Integration of RNA-seq and RNAi provides a novel insight into the immune responses of Epinephelus coioides to the impB gene of Pseudomonas plecoglossicida. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 105:135-143. [PMID: 32645517 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas plecoglossicida is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes visceral white spot disease in Epinephelus coioides and leads to severe aquatic economic losses. The RNA-seq results of a previous study showed that the expression of the impB gene in P. plecoglossicida was significantly upregulated during infection. Four shRNAs were designed and synthesized to silence the impB gene in P. plecoglossicida, and the maximum silencing efficiency was 95.2%. Intraperitoneal injection of the impB-RNAi strain of P. plecoglossicida did not cause E. coioides death, and the spleens of infected fish did not show significant clinical symptoms. Although the injection of the mutant strain increased the antibody titer in E. coioides serum, it could not effectively protect E. coioides against wild strain infection. Compared with E. coioides infected with the wild type strain, the RNA-seq results for E. coioides infected with the impB-RNAi strain differed greatly. The KEGG enrichment analysis showed that key genes of the chemokine signalling pathway of E. coioides were downregulated by the silencing of impB in P. plecoglossicida. Infection with the impB-RNAi strain of P. plecoglossicida through injection did not produce good immune protection against E. coioides. The present study provides a novel insight into the immune responses of E. coioides to the impB gene of P. plecoglossicida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixu Liu
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Lingmin Zhao
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Lixing Huang
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Yingxue Qin
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Jiaonan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Special Aquatic Feed for Fujian, Fujian Tianma Technology Company Limited, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350308, China
| | - Jiaolin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Special Aquatic Feed for Fujian, Fujian Tianma Technology Company Limited, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350308, China
| | - Qingpi Yan
- Fisheries College, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China.
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Wood TE, Howard SA, Förster A, Nolan LM, Manoli E, Bullen NP, Yau HCL, Hachani A, Hayward RD, Whitney JC, Vollmer W, Freemont PS, Filloux A. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa T6SS Delivers a Periplasmic Toxin that Disrupts Bacterial Cell Morphology. Cell Rep 2020; 29:187-201.e7. [PMID: 31577948 PMCID: PMC6899460 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is crucial in interbacterial competition and is a virulence determinant of many Gram-negative bacteria. Several T6SS effectors are covalently fused to secreted T6SS structural components such as the VgrG spike for delivery into target cells. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the VgrG2b effector was previously proposed to mediate bacterial internalization into eukaryotic cells. In this work, we find that the VgrG2b C-terminal domain (VgrG2bC-ter) elicits toxicity in the bacterial periplasm, counteracted by a cognate immunity protein. We resolve the structure of VgrG2bC-ter and confirm it is a member of the zinc-metallopeptidase family of enzymes. We show that this effector causes membrane blebbing at midcell, which suggests a distinct type of T6SS-mediated growth inhibition through interference with cell division, mimicking the impact of β-lactam antibiotics. Our study introduces a further effector family to the T6SS arsenal and demonstrates that VgrG2b can target both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The structure of the VgrG2b C-terminal domain presents a metallopeptidase fold VgrG2b exerts antibacterial activity in the periplasmic space Toxicity of VgrG2b is counteracted by a cognate periplasmic immunity protein VgrG2bC-ter-intoxicated prey cells bleb at the midcell and lyse
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E Wood
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sophie A Howard
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Andreas Förster
- Section of Structural Biology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Laura M Nolan
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Eleni Manoli
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Nathan P Bullen
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Hamish C L Yau
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Abderrahman Hachani
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Richard D Hayward
- Division of Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - John C Whitney
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Waldemar Vollmer
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Paul S Freemont
- Section of Structural Biology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Alain Filloux
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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Zhou M, Lan Y, Wang S, Liu Q, Jian Z, Li Y, Chen X, Yan Q, Liu W. Epidemiology and molecular characteristics of the type VI secretion system in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from bloodstream infections. J Clin Lab Anal 2020; 34:e23459. [PMID: 32656871 PMCID: PMC7676210 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The type VI secretion system (T6SS) has been identified as a novel virulence factor. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the T6SS genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae‐induced bloodstream infections (BSIs). We also evaluated clinical and molecular characteristics of T6SS‐positive K pneumoniae. Methods A total of 344 non‐repetitive K. pneumoniae bloodstream isolates and relevant clinical data were collected from January 2016 to January 2019. For all isolates, T6SS genes, capsular serotypes, and virulence genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction, and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by VITEK® 2 Compact. MLST was being conducted for hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (HVKP). Results 69 (20.1%) were identified as T6SS‐positive K. pneumoniae among 344 isolates recovered from patients with BSIs. The rate of K1 capsular serotypes and ten virulence genes in T6SS‐positive strains was higher than T6SS‐negative strains (P = .000). The T6SS‐positive rate was significantly higher than T6SS‐negative rate among HVKP isolates. (P = .000). The T6SS‐positive K. pneumoniae isolates were significantly more susceptible to cefoperazone‐sulbactam, ampicillin‐sulbactam, cefazolin, ceftriaxone, cefotan, aztreonam, ertapenem, amikacin, gentamicin, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin (P < 0.05). More strains isolated from the community and liver abscess were T6SS‐positive K. pneumoniae (P < .05). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that community‐acquired BSIs (OR 2.986), the carriage of wcaG (OR 10.579), iucA (OR 2.441), and p‐rmpA (OR 7.438) virulence genes, and biliary diseases (OR 5.361) were independent risk factors for T6SS‐positive K. pneumoniae‐induced BSIs. Conclusion The T6SS‐positive K. pneumoniae was prevalent in individuals with BSIs. T6SS‐positive K. pneumoniae strains seemed to be hypervirulent which revealed the potential pathogenicity of this emerging gene cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - You Lan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Siyi Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qingxia Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zijuan Jian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanming Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xia Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qun Yan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenen Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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A Family of T6SS Antibacterial Effectors Related to l,d-Transpeptidases Targets the Peptidoglycan. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107813. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Klein TA, Ahmad S, Whitney JC. Contact-Dependent Interbacterial Antagonism Mediated by Protein Secretion Machines. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:387-400. [PMID: 32298616 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
To establish and maintain an ecological niche, bacteria employ a wide range of pathways to inhibit the growth of their microbial competitors. Some of these pathways, such as those that produce antibiotics or bacteriocins, exert toxicity on nearby cells in a cell contact-independent manner. More recently, however, several mechanisms of interbacterial antagonism requiring cell-to-cell contact have been identified. This form of microbial competition is mediated by antibacterial protein toxins whose delivery to target bacteria uses protein secretion apparatuses embedded within the cell envelope of toxin-producing bacteria. In this review, we discuss recent work implicating the bacterial Type I, IV, VI, and VII secretion systems in the export of antibacterial 'effector' proteins that mediate contact-dependent interbacterial antagonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Klein
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1; Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Shehryar Ahmad
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1; Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - John C Whitney
- Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1; Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1; David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1.
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Lopez J, Ly PM, Feldman MF. The Tip of the VgrG Spike Is Essential to Functional Type VI Secretion System Assembly in Acinetobacter baumannii. mBio 2020; 11:e02761-19. [PMID: 31937641 PMCID: PMC6960284 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02761-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a critical weapon in bacterial warfare between Gram-negative bacteria. Although invaluable for niche establishment, this machine represents an energetic burden to its host bacterium. Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that poses a serious threat to public health due to its high rates of multidrug resistance. In some A. baumannii strains, the T6SS is transcriptionally downregulated by large multidrug resistance plasmids. Other strains, such as the clinical isolate AbCAN2, express T6SS-related genes but lack T6SS activity under laboratory conditions, despite not harboring these plasmids. This suggests that alternative mechanisms exist to repress the T6SS. Here, we used a transposon mutagenesis approach in AbCAN2 to identify novel T6SS repressors. Our screen revealed that the T6SS of this strain is inhibited by a homolog of VgrG, an essential structural component of all T6SSs reported to date. We named this protein inhibitory VgrG (VgrGi). Biochemical and in silico analyses demonstrated that the unprecedented inhibitory capability of VgrGi is due to a single amino acid mutation in a widely conserved C-terminal domain of unknown function, DUF2345. We also show that unlike in other bacteria, the C terminus of VgrG is essential for functional T6SS assembly in A. baumannii Our study provides insight into the architectural requirements underlying functional assembly of the T6SS of A. baumannii We propose that T6SS-inactivating point mutations are beneficial to the host bacterium, since they eliminate the energy cost associated with maintaining a functional T6SS, which appears to be unnecessary for A. baumannii virulence.IMPORTANCE Despite the clinical relevance of A. baumannii, little is known about its fundamental biology. Here, we show that a single amino acid mutation in VgrG, a critical T6SS structural protein, abrogates T6SS function. Given that this mutation was found in a clinical isolate, we propose that the T6SS of A. baumannii is probably not involved in virulence; this idea is supported by multiple genomic analyses showing that the majority of clinical A. baumannii strains lack proteins essential to the T6SS. We also show that, unlike in other species, the C terminus of VgrG is a unique architectural requirement for functional T6SS assembly in A. baumannii, suggesting that over evolutionary time, bacteria have developed changes to their T6SS architecture, leading to specialized systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juvenal Lopez
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Pek Man Ly
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Mario F Feldman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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29
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An onboard checking mechanism ensures effector delivery of the type VI secretion system in Vibrio cholerae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:23292-23298. [PMID: 31659021 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1914202116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a lethal yet energetically costly weapon in gram-negative bacteria. Through contraction of a long sheath, the T6SS ejects a few copies of effectors accompanied by hundreds of structural carrier proteins per delivery. The few ejected effectors, however, dictate T6SS functions. It remains elusive how the T6SS ensures effector loading and avoids futile ejection. Here, by systemically mutating the active sites of 3 Vibrio cholerae effectors, TseL, VasX, and VgrG3, we show that the physical presence but not their activities is crucial for T6SS assembly. We constructed catalytic mutants of TseL and VgrG3 and truncated VasX mutants. These mutations abolished the killing of the effector-cognate immunity mutants. We determined that the VasX-mediated antimicrobial activity is solely dependent on the C-terminal colicin domain. Removal of the colicin domain abolished VasX secretion and reduced T6SS assembly, while deletion of the colicin internal loop abolished its toxicity but had little effect on secretion and assembly. The triple effector-inactive mutant maintains an active T6SS that is capable of delivering chimeric VgrG, PAAR, and TseL proteins fused with a cargo nuclease, indicating effector activities are not required for T6SS assembly or penetration into the cytosol of recipient cells. Therefore, by recruiting effectors as critical components for T6SS assembly, it represents an effective onboard checking mechanism that ensures effectors are loaded in place to prevent futile secretion. Our study also demonstrates a detoxified secretion platform by inactivating native effector activities that could translocate engineered cargo proteins via multiple routes.
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30
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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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31
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Navarro-Garcia F, Ruiz-Perez F, Cataldi Á, Larzábal M. Type VI Secretion System in Pathogenic Escherichia coli: Structure, Role in Virulence, and Acquisition. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1965. [PMID: 31543869 PMCID: PMC6730261 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens utilize a myriad of mechanisms to invade mammalian hosts, damage tissue sites, and evade the immune system. One essential strategy of Gram-negative bacteria is the secretion of virulence factors through both inner and outer membranes to reach a potential target. Most secretion systems are harbored in mobile elements including transposons, plasmids, pathogenicity islands, and phages, and Escherichia coli is one of the more versatile bacteria adopting this genetic information by horizontal gene transfer. Additionally, E. coli is a bacterial species with members of the commensal intestinal microbiota and pathogens associated with numerous types of infections such as intestinal, urinary, and systemic in humans and other animals. T6SS cluster plasticity suggests evolutionarily divergent systems were acquired horizontally. T6SS is a secretion nanomachine that is extended through the bacterial double membrane; from this apparatus, substrates are conveyed straight from the cytoplasm of the bacterium into a target cell or to the extracellular space. This nanomachine consists of three main complexes: proteins in the inner membrane that are T4SS component-like, the baseplate complex, and the tail complex, which are formed by components evolutionarily related to contractile bacteriophage tails. Advances in the T6SS understanding include the functional and structural characterization of at least 13 subunits (so-called core components), which are thought to comprise the minimal apparatus. So far, the main role of T6SS is on bacterial competition by using it to kill neighboring non-immune bacteria for which antibacterial proteins are secreted directly into the periplasm of the bacterial target after cell-cell contact. Interestingly, a few T6SSs have been associated directly to pathogenesis, e.g., roles in biofilm formation and macrophage survival. Here, we focus on the advances on T6SS from the perspective of E. coli pathotypes with emphasis in the secretion apparatus architecture, the mechanisms of pathogenicity of effector proteins, and the events of lateral gene transfer that led to its spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Navarro-Garcia
- Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fernando Ruiz-Perez
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Ángel Cataldi
- Laboratorio de Escherichia coli, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) INTA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariano Larzábal
- Laboratorio de Escherichia coli, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) INTA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Wettstadt S, Wood TE, Fecht S, Filloux A. Delivery of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Phospholipase Effectors PldA and PldB in a VgrG- and H2-T6SS-Dependent Manner. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1718. [PMID: 31417515 PMCID: PMC6684961 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses three type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) to drive a multitude of effector proteins into eukaryotic or prokaryotic target cells. The T6SS is a supramolecular nanomachine, involving a set of 13 core proteins, which resembles the contractile tail of bacteriophages and whose tip is considered as a puncturing device helping to cross membranes. Effectors can attach directly to the T6SS spike which is composed of a VgrG (valine-glycine-rich proteins) trimer, of which P. aeruginosa produces several. We have previously shown that the master regulator RsmA controls the expression of all three T6SS gene clusters (H1-, H2- and H3-T6SS) and a range of remote vgrG and effector genes. We also demonstrated that specific interactions between VgrGs and various T6SS effectors are prerequisite for effector delivery in a process we called "à la carte delivery." Here, we provide an in-depth description on how the two H2-T6SS-dependent effectors PldA and PldB are delivered via their cognate VgrGs, VgrG4b and VgrG5, respectively. We show that specific recognition of the VgrG C terminus is required and effector specificity can be swapped by exchanging these C-terminal domains. Importantly, we established that effector recognition by a cognate VgrG is not always sufficient to achieve successful secretion, but it is crucial to provide effector stability. This study highlights the complexity of effector adaptation to the T6SS nanomachine and shows how the VgrG tip can possibly be manipulated to achieve effector delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Wettstadt
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas E Wood
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Selina Fecht
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alain Filloux
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Cherrak Y, Flaugnatti N, Durand E, Journet L, Cascales E. Structure and Activity of the Type VI Secretion System. Microbiol Spectr 2019; 7:10.1128/microbiolspec.psib-0031-2019. [PMID: 31298206 PMCID: PMC10957189 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.psib-0031-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a multiprotein machine that uses a spring-like mechanism to inject effectors into target cells. The injection apparatus is composed of a baseplate on which is built a contractile tail tube/sheath complex. The inner tube, topped by the spike complex, is propelled outside of the cell by the contraction of the sheath. The injection system is anchored to the cell envelope and oriented towards the cell exterior by a trans-envelope complex. Effectors delivered by the T6SS are loaded within the inner tube or on the spike complex and can target prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic cells. Here we summarize the structure, assembly, and mechanism of action of the T6SS. We also review the function of effectors and their mode of recruitment and delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yassine Cherrak
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM), Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, UMR 7255, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
- Y.C. and N.F. contributed equally to this review
| | - Nicolas Flaugnatti
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM), Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, UMR 7255, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
- Y.C. and N.F. contributed equally to this review
- Present address: Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eric Durand
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM), Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, UMR 7255, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
| | - Laure Journet
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM), Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, UMR 7255, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
| | - Eric Cascales
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM), Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, UMR 7255, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
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Role and Recruitment of the TagL Peptidoglycan-Binding Protein during Type VI Secretion System Biogenesis. J Bacteriol 2019; 201:JB.00173-19. [PMID: 30910811 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00173-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is an injection apparatus that uses a springlike mechanism for effector delivery. The contractile tail is composed of a needle tipped by a sharpened spike and wrapped by the sheath that polymerizes in an extended conformation on the assembly platform, or baseplate. Contraction of the sheath propels the needle and effectors associated with it into target cells. The passage of the needle through the cell envelope of the attacker is ensured by a dedicated trans-envelope channel complex. This membrane complex (MC) comprises the TssJ lipoprotein and the TssL and TssM inner membrane proteins. MC assembly is a hierarchized mechanism in which the different subunits are recruited in a specific order: TssJ, TssM, and then TssL. Once assembled, the MC serves as a docking station for the baseplate. In enteroaggregative Escherichia coli, the MC is accessorized by TagL, a peptidoglycan-binding (PGB) inner membrane-anchored protein. Here, we show that the PGB domain is the only functional domain of TagL and that the N-terminal transmembrane region mediates contact with the TssL transmembrane helix. Finally, we conduct fluorescence microscopy experiments to position TagL in the T6SS biogenesis pathway, demonstrating that TagL is recruited to the membrane complex downstream of TssL and is not required for baseplate docking.IMPORTANCE Bacteria use weapons to deliver effectors into target cells. One of these weapons, called the type VI secretion system (T6SS), could be compared to a nano-spear gun using a springlike mechanism for effector injection. By targeting bacteria and eukaryotic cells, the T6SS reshapes bacterial communities and hijacks host cell defenses. In enteroaggregative Escherichia coli, the T6SS is a multiprotein machine that comprises a cytoplasmic tail and a peptidoglycan-anchored trans-envelope channel. In this work, we show that TagL comprises an N-terminal domain that mediates contact with the channel and a peptidoglycan-binding domain that binds the cell wall. We then determine at which stage of T6SS biogenesis TagL is recruited and how TagL absence impacts the assembly pathway.
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Rapisarda C, Cherrak Y, Kooger R, Schmidt V, Pellarin R, Logger L, Cascales E, Pilhofer M, Durand E, Fronzes R. In situ and high-resolution cryo-EM structure of a bacterial type VI secretion system membrane complex. EMBO J 2019; 38:e100886. [PMID: 30877094 PMCID: PMC6517824 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2018100886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved macromolecular machineries that secrete effectors and toxins to survive and thrive in diverse environments. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a contractile machine that is related to Myoviridae phages. It is composed of a phage tail-like structure inserted in the bacterial cell envelope by a membrane complex (MC) comprising the TssJ, TssL and TssM proteins. We previously reported the low-resolution negative-stain electron microscopy structure of the enteroaggregative Escherichia coli MC and proposed a rotational 5-fold symmetry with a TssJ:TssL:TssM stoichiometry of 2:2:2. Here, cryo-electron tomography analyses of the T6SS MC confirm the 5-fold symmetry in situ and identify the regions of the structure that insert into the bacterial membranes. A high-resolution model obtained by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy highlights new features: five additional copies of TssJ, yielding a TssJ:TssL:TssM stoichiometry of 3:2:2, an 11-residue loop in TssM, protruding inside the lumen of the MC and constituting a functionally important periplasmic gate, and hinge regions. Based on these data, we propose an updated model on MC structure and dynamics during T6SS assembly and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Rapisarda
- CNRS UMR 5234 Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, Bordeaux, France
- Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Yassine Cherrak
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM), UMR7255, Aix-Marseille Université - CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Romain Kooger
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Victoria Schmidt
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM), UMR7255, Aix-Marseille Université - CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Riccardo Pellarin
- Institut Pasteur, Structural Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, CNRS UMR 3528, C3BI USR 3756, Paris, France
| | - Laureen Logger
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM), UMR7255, Aix-Marseille Université - CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Eric Cascales
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM), UMR7255, Aix-Marseille Université - CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Martin Pilhofer
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eric Durand
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM), UMR7255, INSERM, Marseille, France
| | - Rémi Fronzes
- CNRS UMR 5234 Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, Bordeaux, France
- Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
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36
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Coulthurst S. The Type VI secretion system: a versatile bacterial weapon. Microbiology (Reading) 2019; 165:503-515. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Coulthurst
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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37
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Abstract
The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a protein nanomachine that is widespread in Gram-negative bacteria and is used to translocate effector proteins directly into neighbouring cells. It represents a versatile bacterial weapon that can deliver effectors into distinct classes of target cells, playing key roles in inter-bacterial competition and bacterial interactions with eukaryotic cells. This versatility is underpinned by the ability of the T6SS to deliver a vast array of effector proteins, with many distinct activities and modes of interaction with the secretion machinery. Recent work has highlighted the importance and diversity of interactions mediated by T6SSs within polymicrobial communities, and offers new molecular insights into effector delivery and action in target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Coulthurst
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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38
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Zong B, Zhang Y, Wang X, Liu M, Zhang T, Zhu Y, Zheng Y, Hu L, Li P, Chen H, Tan C. Characterization of multiple type-VI secretion system (T6SS) VgrG proteins in the pathogenicity and antibacterial activity of porcine extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli. Virulence 2019; 10:118-132. [PMID: 30676217 PMCID: PMC6363058 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1573491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Porcine extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) causes great economic losses to the pig industry and poses a serious threat to public health worldwide. Some secreted virulence factors have been reported to be involved in the pathogenicity of the infection caused by ExPEC. Type-VI secretion system (T6SS) is discovered in many Gram-negative bacteria and contributes to the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Valine-glycine repeat protein G (VgrG) has been reported as an important component of the functional T6SS. In our previous studies, a functional T6SS was identified in porcine ExPEC strain PCN033. Further analysis of the PCN033 genome identified two putative vgrGs genes (vgrG1 and 0248) located inside T6SS cluster and another two (vgrG2 and 1588) outside it. This study determined the function of the four putative VgrG proteins by constructing a series of mutants and complemented strains. In vitro, the VgrG1 protein was observed to be involved in the antibacterial ability and the interactions with cells. The animal model experiment showed that the deletion of vgrG1 significantly led to the decrease in the multiplication capacity of PCN033. However, the deletion of 0248 and/or the deletion of vgrG2 and 1588 had no effect on the pathogenicity of PCN033. The study of four putative VgrGs in PCN033 indicated that only VgrG1 plays an important role in the interaction between PCN033 and other bacteria or host cells. This study can provide a novel perspective to the pathogenesis of PCN033 and lay the foundation for discovering potential T6SS effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Zong
- a State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,b Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province , The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,c Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products , Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,d International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- a State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,b Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province , The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,c Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products , Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,d International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Xiangru Wang
- a State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,b Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province , The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,c Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products , Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,d International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Manli Liu
- e Hubei Biopesticide Engineering Research Centre , Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Wuhan Hubei , China
| | - Tongchao Zhang
- a State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,b Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province , The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,c Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products , Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,d International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Yongwei Zhu
- a State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,b Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province , The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,c Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products , Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,d International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Yucheng Zheng
- a State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,b Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province , The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,c Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products , Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,d International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Linlin Hu
- a State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,b Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province , The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,c Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products , Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,d International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Pei Li
- a State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,b Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province , The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,c Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products , Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,d International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Huanchun Chen
- a State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,b Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province , The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,c Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products , Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,d International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Chen Tan
- a State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,b Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province , The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,c Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products , Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China.,d International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China , Wuhan , Hubei , China
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Dix SR, Owen HJ, Sun R, Ahmad A, Shastri S, Spiewak HL, Mosby DJ, Harris MJ, Batters SL, Brooker TA, Tzokov SB, Sedelnikova SE, Baker PJ, Bullough PA, Rice DW, Thomas MS. Structural insights into the function of type VI secretion system TssA subunits. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4765. [PMID: 30420757 PMCID: PMC6232143 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07247-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a multi-protein complex that injects bacterial effector proteins into target cells. It is composed of a cell membrane complex anchored to a contractile bacteriophage tail-like apparatus consisting of a sharpened tube that is ejected by the contraction of a sheath against a baseplate. We present structural and biochemical studies on TssA subunits from two different T6SSs that reveal radically different quaternary structures in comparison to the dodecameric E. coli TssA that arise from differences in their C-terminal sequences. Despite this, the different TssAs retain equivalent interactions with other components of the complex and position their highly conserved N-terminal ImpA_N domain at the same radius from the centre of the sheath as a result of their distinct domain architectures, which includes additional spacer domains and highly mobile interdomain linkers. Together, these variations allow these distinct TssAs to perform a similar function in the complex. TssA is an important component of the bacterial type VI secretion system (T6SS). Here, Dix et al. integrate structural, phylogenetic and functional analysis of the TssA subunits, providing new insights into their role in T6SS assembly and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel R Dix
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Hayley J Owen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Ruyue Sun
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - Asma Ahmad
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - Sravanthi Shastri
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - Helena L Spiewak
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK.,Northern Genetics Service, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Institute of Genetic Medicine, International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Daniel J Mosby
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - Matthew J Harris
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.,Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, London, SE1 1DB, UK
| | - Sarah L Batters
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - Thomas A Brooker
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - Svetomir B Tzokov
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Svetlana E Sedelnikova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Patrick J Baker
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Per A Bullough
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - David W Rice
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
| | - Mark S Thomas
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK.
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