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Virgo M, Mostowy S, Ho BT. Use of zebrafish to identify host responses specific to type VI secretion system mediated interbacterial antagonism. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012384. [PMID: 39024393 PMCID: PMC11288455 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Interbacterial competition is known to shape the microbial communities found in the host, however the interplay between this competition and host defense are less clear. Here, we use the zebrafish hindbrain ventricle (HBV) as an in vivo platform to investigate host responses to defined bacterial communities with distinct forms of interbacterial competition. We found that antibacterial activity of the type VI secretion system (T6SS) from both Vibrio cholerae and Acinetobacter baylyi can induce host inflammation and sensitize the host to infection independent of any individual effector. Chemical suppression of inflammation could resolve T6SS-dependent differences in host survival, but the mechanism by which this occurred differed between the two bacterial species. By contrast, colicin-mediated antagonism elicited by an avirulent strain of Shigella sonnei induced a negligible host response despite being a more potent bacterial killer, resulting in no impact on A. baylyi or V. cholerae virulence. Altogether, these results provide insight into how different modes of interbacterial competition in vivo affect the host in distinct ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie Virgo
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Serge Mostowy
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Brian T. Ho
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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2
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Geller AM, Shalom M, Zlotkin D, Blum N, Levy A. Identification of type VI secretion system effector-immunity pairs using structural bioinformatics. Mol Syst Biol 2024; 20:702-718. [PMID: 38658795 PMCID: PMC11148199 DOI: 10.1038/s44320-024-00035-8] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is an important mediator of microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions. Gram-negative bacteria use the T6SS to inject T6SS effectors (T6Es), which are usually proteins with toxic activity, into neighboring cells. Antibacterial effectors have cognate immunity proteins that neutralize self-intoxication. Here, we applied novel structural bioinformatic tools to perform systematic discovery and functional annotation of T6Es and their cognate immunity proteins from a dataset of 17,920 T6SS-encoding bacterial genomes. Using structural clustering, we identified 517 putative T6E families, outperforming sequence-based clustering. We developed a logistic regression model to reliably quantify protein-protein interaction of new T6E-immunity pairs, yielding candidate immunity proteins for 231 out of the 517 T6E families. We used sensitive structure-based annotation which yielded functional annotations for 51% of the T6E families, again outperforming sequence-based annotation. Next, we validated four novel T6E-immunity pairs using basic experiments in E. coli. In particular, we showed that the Pfam domain DUF3289 is a homolog of Colicin M and that DUF943 acts as its cognate immunity protein. Furthermore, we discovered a novel T6E that is a structural homolog of SleB, a lytic transglycosylase, and identified a specific glutamate that acts as its putative catalytic residue. Overall, this study applies novel structural bioinformatic tools to T6E-immunity pair discovery, and provides an extensive database of annotated T6E-immunity pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Geller
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Institute of Environmental Science, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maor Shalom
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Institute of Environmental Science, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - David Zlotkin
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Institute of Environmental Science, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Noam Blum
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Institute of Environmental Science, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Asaf Levy
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Institute of Environmental Science, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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3
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Lin L. The expanding universe of contractile injection systems in bacteria. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102465. [PMID: 38520915 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Contractile injection systems (CISs) are phage tail-like machineries found in a wide range of bacteria. They are often deployed by bacteria to translocate effectors into the extracellular space or into target cells. CISs are classified into intracellular type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) and extracellular CIS (eCISs). eCISs are assembled in cytoplasm and released into the extracellular milieu upon cell lysis, while T6SSs are the secretion systems widespread among Gram-negative bacteria and actively translocate effectors into the environment or into the adjacent cell, without lysis of T6SS-producing cells. Recently, several noncanonical CISs that exhibit distinct characteristics have been discovered. This review will provide an overview on these noncanonical CISs and their unique features, as well as new advances in reprogramming CISs for therapeutic protein delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark.
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4
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Hodges LM, Cooper A, Koziol A, Carrillo CD. Characterization of MLST-99 Salmonella Typhimurium and the monophasic variant I:4,[5],12:i:- isolated from Canadian Atlantic coast shellfish. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2024; 170:001456. [PMID: 38753417 PMCID: PMC11256474 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001456] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Typhimurium and its monophasic variant I 1;4,[5],12:i:- (MVST) are responsible for thousands of reported cases of salmonellosis each year in Canada, and countries worldwide. We investigated S. Typhimurium and MVST isolates recovered from raw shellfish harvested in Atlantic Canada by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) over the past decade, to assess the potential impact of these isolates on human illness and to explore possible routes of shellfish contamination. Whole-genome sequence analysis was performed on 210 isolates of S. Typhimurium and MVST recovered from various food sources, including shellfish. The objective was to identify genetic markers linked to ST-99, a sequence type specifically associated with shellfish, which could explain their high prevalence in shellfish. We also investigated the genetic similarity amongst CFIA ST-99 isolates recovered in different years and geographical locations. Finally, the study aimed to enhance the molecular serotyping of ST-99 isolates, as they are serologically classified as MVST but are frequently misidentified as S. Typhimurium through sequence analysis. To ensure recovery of ST-99 from shellfish was not due to favourable growth kinetics, we measured the growth rates of these isolates relative to other Salmonella and determined that ST-99 did not have a faster growth rate and/or shorter lag phase than other Salmonella evaluated. The CFIA ST-99 isolates from shellfish were highly clonal, with up to 81 high-quality single nucleotide variants amongst isolates. ST-99 isolates both within the CFIA collection and those isolated globally carried numerous unique deletions, insertions and mutations in genes, including some considered important for virulence, such as gene deletions in the type VI secretion system. Interestingly, several of these genetic characteristics appear to be unique to North America. Most notably was a large genomic region showing a high prevalence in genomes from Canadian isolates compared to those from the USA. Although the functions of the majority of the proteins encoded within this region remain unknown, the genes umuC and umuD, known to be protective against UV light damage, were present. While this study did not specifically examine the effects of mutations and insertions, results indicate that these isolates may be adapted to survive in specific environments, such as ocean water, where wild birds and/or animals serve as the natural hosts. Our hypothesis is reinforced by a global phylogenetic analysis, which indicates that isolates obtained from North American shellfish and wild birds are infrequently connected to isolates from human sources. These findings suggest a distinct ecological niche for ST-99, potentially indicating their specialization and adaptation to non-human hosts and environments, such as oceanic habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adam Koziol
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Canada
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Zafar H, Saier MHH. An Insider's Perspective about the Pathogenic Relevance of Gut Bacterial Transportomes. Microb Physiol 2024; 34:133-141. [PMID: 38636461 PMCID: PMC11283328 DOI: 10.1159/000538779] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gut microbiome is integral to host health, hosting complex interactions between the host and numerous microbial species in the gastrointestinal tract. Key among the molecular mechanisms employed by gut bacteria are transportomes, consisting of diverse transport proteins crucial for bacterial adaptation to the dynamic, nutrient-rich environment of the mammalian gut. These transportomes facilitate the movement of a wide array of molecules, impacting both the host and the microbial community. SUMMARY This communication explores the significance of transportomes in gut bacteria, focusing on their role in nutrient acquisition, competitive interactions among microbes, and potential pathogenicity. It delves into the transportomes of key gut bacterial species like E. coli, Salmonella, Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Clostridia, and Bifidobacterium, examining the functions of predicted transport proteins. The overview synthesizes recent research efforts, highlighting how these transportomes influence host-microbe interactions and contribute to the microbial ecology of the gut. KEY MESSAGES Transportomes are vital for the survival and adaptation of bacteria in the gut, enabling the import and export of various nutrients and molecules. The complex interplay of transport proteins not only supports bacterial growth and competition but also has implications for host health, potentially contributing to pathogenic processes. Understanding the pathogenic potential of transportomes in major gut bacterial species provides insights into gut health and disease, offering avenues for future research and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Zafar
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Milton H. Herman Saier
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093-0116, USA
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Shuster M, Lyu Z, Augenstreich J, Mathur S, Ganesh A, Ling J, Briken V. Salmonella Typhimurium infection inhibits macrophage IFNβ signaling in a TLR4-dependent manner. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.05.583530. [PMID: 38496427 PMCID: PMC10942315 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.05.583530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Type I Interferons (IFNs) generally have a protective role during viral infections, but their function during bacterial infections is dependent on the bacterial species. Legionella pneumophila, Shigella sonnei and Mycobacterium tuberculosis can inhibit type I IFN signaling. Here we examined the role of type I IFN, specifically IFNβ, in the context of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm) macrophage infections and the capacity of STm to inhibit type I IFN signaling. We demonstrate that IFNβ has no effect on the intracellular growth of STm in infected bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) derived from C57BL/6 mice. STm infection inhibits IFNβ signaling but not IFNγ signaling in a murine macrophage cell line. We show that this inhibition is independent of the type III and type VI secretion systems expressed by STm and is also independent of bacterial phagocytosis. The inhibition is Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent as the TLR4 ligand, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), alone is sufficient to inhibit IFNβ-mediated signaling and STm-infected, TLR4-deficient BMDMs do not exhibit inhibited IFNβ signaling. In summary, we show that macrophages exposed to STm have reduced IFNβ signaling via crosstalk with TLR4 signaling, and that IFNβ signaling does not affect cell autonomous host defense against STm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Shuster
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Zhihui Lyu
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Jacques Augenstreich
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Shrestha Mathur
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Akshaya Ganesh
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Jiqiang Ling
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Volker Briken
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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Li P, Zhang S, Wang J, Al-Shamiri MM, Luo K, Liu S, Mi P, Wu X, Liu H, Tian H, Han B, Lei J, Han S, Han L. The role of type VI secretion system genes in antibiotic resistance and virulence in Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1297818. [PMID: 38384301 PMCID: PMC10879597 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1297818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a crucial virulence factor in the nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. However, its association with drug resistance is less well known. Notably, the roles that different T6SS components play in the process of antimicrobial resistance, as well as in virulence, have not been systematically revealed. Methods The importance of three representative T6SS core genes involved in the drug resistance and virulence of A. baumannii, namely, tssB, tssD (hcp), and tssM was elucidated. Results A higher ratio of the three core genes was detected in drug-resistant strains than in susceptible strains among our 114 A. baumannii clinical isolates. Upon deletion of tssB in AB795639, increased antimicrobial resistance to cefuroxime and ceftriaxone was observed, alongside reduced resistance to gentamicin. The ΔtssD mutant showed decreased resistance to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, tetracycline, and doxycycline, but increased resistance to tobramycin and streptomycin. The tssM-lacking mutant showed an increased sensitivity to ofloxacin, polymyxin B, and furazolidone. In addition, a significant reduction in biofilm formation was observed only with the ΔtssM mutant. Moreover, the ΔtssM strain, followed by the ΔtssD mutant, showed decreased survival in human serum, with attenuated competition with Escherichia coli and impaired lethality in Galleria mellonella. Discussion The above results suggest that T6SS plays an important role, participating in the antibiotic resistance of A. baumannii, especially in terms of intrinsic resistance. Meanwhile, tssM and tssD contribute to bacterial virulence to a greater degree, with tssM being associated with greater importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Li
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sirui Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jingdan Wang
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mona Mohamed Al-Shamiri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kai Luo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shuyan Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng Mi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiaokang Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Haiping Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xi’an Daxing Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Huohuan Tian
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bei Han
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jin’e Lei
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shaoshan Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lei Han
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Wang B, Zhang Z, Xu F, Yang Z, Li Z, Shen D, Wang L, Wu H, Li T, Yan Q, Wei Q, Shao X, Qian G. Soil bacterium manipulates antifungal weapons by sensing intracellular type IVA secretion system effectors of a competitor. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:2232-2246. [PMID: 37838821 PMCID: PMC10689834 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01533-7] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Soil beneficial bacteria can effectively inhibit bacterial pathogens by assembling contact-dependent killing weapons, such as the type IVA secretion system (T4ASS). It's not clear whether these antibacterial weapons are involved in biotrophic microbial interactions in soil. Here we showed that an antifungal antibiotic 2,4-DAPG production of the soil bacterium, Pseudomonas protegens can be triggered by another soil bacterium, Lysobacter enzymogenes, via T4ASS by co-culturing on agar plates to mimic cell-to-cell contact. We demonstrated that the induced 2,4-DAPG production of P. protegens is achieved by intracellular detection of the T4ASS effector protein Le1519 translocated from L. enzymogenes. We defined Le1519 as LtaE (Lysobacter T4E triggering antifungal effects), which specifically stimulates the expression of 2,4-DAPG biosynthesis genes in P. protegens, thereby protecting soybean seedlings from infection by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. We further found that LtaE directly bound to PhlF, a pathway-specific transcriptional repressor of the 2,4-DAPG biosynthesis, then activated the 2,4-DAPG production. Our results highlight a novel pattern of microbial interspecies and interkingdom interactions, providing a unique case for expanding the diversity of soil microbial interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingxin Wang
- College of Plant Protection (State Key Laboratory of Biological interactions and Crop Health; Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, P.R. China
| | - Zeyu Zhang
- College of Plant Protection (State Key Laboratory of Biological interactions and Crop Health; Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, P.R. China
| | - Fugui Xu
- College of Plant Protection (State Key Laboratory of Biological interactions and Crop Health; Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, P.R. China
| | - Zixiang Yang
- College of Plant Protection (State Key Laboratory of Biological interactions and Crop Health; Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, P.R. China
| | - Zihan Li
- College of Plant Protection (State Key Laboratory of Biological interactions and Crop Health; Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, P.R. China
| | - Danyu Shen
- College of Plant Protection (State Key Laboratory of Biological interactions and Crop Health; Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, P.R. China
| | - Limin Wang
- College of Plant Protection (State Key Laboratory of Biological interactions and Crop Health; Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, P.R. China
| | - Huijun Wu
- College of Plant Protection (State Key Laboratory of Biological interactions and Crop Health; Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, P.R. China
| | - Tao Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Qing Yan
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Qi Wei
- Industrial Crops Institute, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Xiaolong Shao
- College of Plant Protection (State Key Laboratory of Biological interactions and Crop Health; Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, P.R. China
| | - Guoliang Qian
- College of Plant Protection (State Key Laboratory of Biological interactions and Crop Health; Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, P.R. China.
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9
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Bourigault Y, Dupont CA, Desjardins JB, Doan T, Bouteiller M, Le Guenno H, Chevalier S, Barbey C, Latour X, Cascales E, Merieau A. Pseudomonas fluorescens MFE01 delivers a putative type VI secretion amidase that confers biocontrol against the soft-rot pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2564-2579. [PMID: 37622480 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a contractile nanomachine widespread in Gram-negative bacteria. The T6SS injects effectors into target cells including eukaryotic hosts and competitor microbial cells and thus participates in pathogenesis and intermicrobial competition. Pseudomonas fluorescens MFE01 possesses a single T6SS gene cluster that confers biocontrol properties by protecting potato tubers against the phytopathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum (Pca). Here, we demonstrate that a functional T6SS is essential to protect potato tuber by reducing the pectobacteria population. Fluorescence microscopy experiments showed that MFE01 displays an aggressive behaviour with an offensive T6SS characterized by continuous and intense T6SS firing activity. Interestingly, we observed that T6SS firing is correlated with rounding of Pectobacterium cells, suggesting delivery of a potent cell wall targeting effector. Mutagenesis coupled with functional assays then revealed that a putative T6SS secreted amidase, Tae3Pf , is mainly responsible for MFE01 toxicity towards Pca. Further studies finally demonstrated that Tae3Pf is toxic when produced in the periplasm, and that its toxicity is counteracted by the Tai3Pf inner membrane immunity protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvann Bourigault
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale, NORVEGE Fed4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Charly A Dupont
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale, NORVEGE Fed4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Jonas B Desjardins
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM, UMR 7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM, FR3479), CNRS-Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Thierry Doan
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM, UMR 7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM, FR3479), CNRS-Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Mathilde Bouteiller
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale, NORVEGE Fed4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Hugo Le Guenno
- Plateforme de Microscopie, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM, FR3479), CNRS-Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Sylvie Chevalier
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
| | - Corinne Barbey
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale, NORVEGE Fed4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Xavier Latour
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale, NORVEGE Fed4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Eric Cascales
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM, UMR 7255), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (IMM, FR3479), CNRS-Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Annabelle Merieau
- Laboratoire de Communication Bactérienne et Stratégies Anti-infectieuses (CBSA, UR 4312), Univ Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Rouen, France
- Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale, NORVEGE Fed4277, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
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10
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Liu W, Li M, Cao S, Ishaq HM, Zhao H, Yang F, Liu L. The Biological and Regulatory Role of Type VI Secretion System of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:6911-6922. [PMID: 37928603 PMCID: PMC10624183 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s426657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria communicate with their surroundings through diverse secretory systems, and the recently discovered Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) has gained significant attention. Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), an opportunistic pathogen known for causing severe infections in both hospital and animal settings, possesses this intriguing T6SS. This system equips K. pneumoniae with a formidable armory of protein-based weaponry, enabling the delivery of toxins into neighboring cells, thus granting a substantial competitive advantage. Remarkably, the T6SS has also been associated with K. pneumoniae's ability to form biofilms and acquire resistance against antibiotics. However, the precise effects of the T6SS on K. pneumoniae's functions remain inadequately studied, despite research efforts to understand the intricacies of these mechanisms. This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of the T6SS in K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenke Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shiwen Cao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Huajie Zhao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, People’s Republic of China
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11
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Lohitthai S, Rungruengkitkun A, Jitprasutwit N, Kong-Ngoen T, Duangurai T, Tandhavanant S, Sukphopetch P, Chantratita N, Indrawattana N, Pumirat P. Type VI Secretion System Accessory Protein TagAB-5 Promotes Burkholderia pseudomallei Pathogenicity in Human Microglia. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2927. [PMID: 38001928 PMCID: PMC10669256 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11112927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) melioidosis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei is being increasingly reported. Because of the high mortality associated with CNS melioidosis, understanding the underlying mechanism of B. pseudomallei pathogenesis in the CNS needs to be intensively investigated to develop better therapeutic strategies against this deadly disease. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a multiprotein machine that uses a spring-like mechanism to inject effectors into target cells to benefit the infection process. In this study, the role of the T6SS accessory protein TagAB-5 in B. pseudomallei pathogenicity was examined using the human microglial cell line HCM3, a unique resident immune cell of the CNS acting as a primary mediator of inflammation. We constructed B. pseudomallei tagAB-5 mutant and complementary strains by the markerless allele replacement method. The effects of tagAB-5 deletion on the pathogenicity of B. pseudomallei were studied by bacterial infection assays of HCM3 cells. Compared with the wild type, the tagAB-5 mutant exhibited defective pathogenic abilities in intracellular replication, multinucleated giant cell formation, and induction of cell damage. Additionally, infection by the tagAB-5 mutant elicited a decreased production of interleukin 8 (IL-8) in HCM3, suggesting that efficient pathogenicity of B. pseudomallei is required for IL-8 production in microglia. However, no significant differences in virulence in the Galleria mellonella model were observed between the tagAB-5 mutant and the wild type. Taken together, this study indicated that microglia might be an important intracellular niche for B. pseudomallei, particularly in CNS infection, and TagAB-5 confers B. pseudomallei pathogenicity in these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanisa Lohitthai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.L.); (A.R.); (T.K.-N.); (S.T.); (P.S.); (N.C.); (N.I.)
| | - Amporn Rungruengkitkun
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.L.); (A.R.); (T.K.-N.); (S.T.); (P.S.); (N.C.); (N.I.)
| | - Niramol Jitprasutwit
- Center for Vaccine Development, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand;
| | - Thida Kong-Ngoen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.L.); (A.R.); (T.K.-N.); (S.T.); (P.S.); (N.C.); (N.I.)
| | - Taksaon Duangurai
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand;
| | - Sarunporn Tandhavanant
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.L.); (A.R.); (T.K.-N.); (S.T.); (P.S.); (N.C.); (N.I.)
- Department of Bacteriology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Passanesh Sukphopetch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.L.); (A.R.); (T.K.-N.); (S.T.); (P.S.); (N.C.); (N.I.)
| | - Narisara Chantratita
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.L.); (A.R.); (T.K.-N.); (S.T.); (P.S.); (N.C.); (N.I.)
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Nitaya Indrawattana
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.L.); (A.R.); (T.K.-N.); (S.T.); (P.S.); (N.C.); (N.I.)
| | - Pornpan Pumirat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.L.); (A.R.); (T.K.-N.); (S.T.); (P.S.); (N.C.); (N.I.)
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12
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Jiang Y, Wang P, Qu M, Wang T, Li F, Wang L, Yao L. Effects of luxS gene on growth characteristics, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial resistance of multi-antimicrobial-resistant Vibrio parahaemolyticus Vp2015094 isolated from shellfish. J Appl Microbiol 2023; 134:lxad172. [PMID: 37580170 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxad172] [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: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Vibrio parahaemolyticus is an important foodborne pathogen worldwide, which can cause gastroenteritis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of quorum sensing system LuxS/AI-2-related gene luxS on the biological characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of V. parahaemolyticus Vp2015094 from shellfish, which carried a multi-antimicrobial-resistant plasmid. METHODS AND RESULTS The critical gene luxS related to the synthesis of AI-2 in V. parahaemolyticus Vp2015094 was knocked out by homologous recombination with suicide plasmid. The effect of luxS on the biological characteristics of V. parahaemolyticus was determined by comparing the growth, AI-2 activity, motility, biofilm formation ability, and antibiotic resistance between the wildtype strain and the luxS deletion mutant. Compared with wildtype strain, the production of AI-2, the motility and biofilm formation ability, antimicrobial resistance, and conjugation frequency of luxS deletion mutant strain were decreased. The transcriptome sequencing showed that the transcriptional levels of many genes related to motility, biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, and conjugation were significantly downregulated after luxS deletion. CONCLUSIONS Quorum sensing system LuxS/AI-2-related gene luxS in V. parahaemolyticus Vp2015094 played an important role in growth characteristics, biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, and resistance genes' transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Peng Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Meng Qu
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Ting Wang
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Fengling Li
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Lianzhu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Lin Yao
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China
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Katz A, Porte L, Weitzel T, Varela C, Muñoz-Rehbein C, Ugalde JA, Grim C, González-Escalona N, Blondel CJ, Bravo V. Whole-genome sequencing reveals changes in genomic diversity and distinctive repertoires of T3SS and T6SS effector candidates in Chilean clinical Campylobacter strains. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1208825. [PMID: 37520433 PMCID: PMC10374022 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1208825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide and an emerging and neglected pathogen in South America. This zoonotic pathogen colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of a wide range of mammals and birds, with poultry as the most important reservoir for human infections. Apart from its high morbidity rates, the emergence of resistant strains is of global concern. The aims of this work were to determine genetic diversity, presence of antimicrobial resistance determinants and virulence potential of Campylobacter spp. isolated from patients with acute gastrointestinal disease at 'Clinica Alemana', Santiago de Chile. The study considered the isolation of Campylobacter spp., from stool samples during a 20-month period (January 2020 to September 2021). We sequenced (NextSeq, Illumina) and performed an in-depth analysis of the genome sequences of 88 Campylobacter jejuni and 2 Campylobacter coli strains isolated from clinical samples in Chile. We identified a high genetic diversity among C. jejuni strains and the emergence of prevalent clonal complexes, which were not identified in our previous reports. While ~40% of strains harbored a mutation in the gyrA gene associated with fluoroquinolone resistance, no macrolide-resistance determinants were detected. Interestingly, gene clusters encoding virulence factors such as the T6SS or genes associated with long-term sequelae such as Guillain-Barré syndrome showed lineage-relatedness. In addition, our analysis revealed a high degree of variability regarding the presence of fT3SS and T6SS effector proteins in comparison to type strains 81-176, F38011, and NCTC 11168 and 488. Our study provides important insights into the molecular epidemiology of this emerging foodborne pathogen. In addition, the differences observed regarding the repertoire of fT3SS and T6SS effector proteins could have an impact on the pathogenic potential and transmissibility of these Latin American isolates, posing another challenge in characterizing the infection dynamics of this emergent and neglected bacterial pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf Katz
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lorena Porte
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Thomas Weitzel
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carmen Varela
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristina Muñoz-Rehbein
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan A. Ugalde
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christopher Grim
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Narjol González-Escalona
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Carlos J. Blondel
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Bravo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Aplicadas (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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14
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Allsopp LP, Bernal P. Killing in the name of: T6SS structure and effector diversity. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001367. [PMID: 37490402 PMCID: PMC10433429 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The life of bacteria is challenging, to endure bacteria employ a range of mechanisms to optimize their environment, including deploying the type VI secretion system (T6SS). Acting as a bacterial crossbow, this system delivers effectors responsible for subverting host cells, killing competitors and facilitating general secretion to access common goods. Due to its importance, this lethal machine has been evolutionarily maintained, disseminated and specialized to fulfil these vital functions. In fact, T6SS structural clusters are present in over 25 % of Gram-negative bacteria, varying in number from one to six different genetic clusters per organism. Since its discovery in 2006, research on the T6SS has rapidly progressed, yielding remarkable breakthroughs. The identification and characterization of novel components of the T6SS, combined with biochemical and structural studies, have revealed fascinating mechanisms governing its assembly, loading, firing and disassembly processes. Recent findings have also demonstrated the efficacy of this system against fungal and Gram-positive cells, expanding its scope. Ongoing research continues to uncover an extensive and expanding repertoire of T6SS effectors, the genuine mediators of T6SS function. These studies are shedding light on new aspects of the biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the T6SS, highlighting recent discoveries of its structure and the diversity of its effectors. Additionally, it injects a personal perspective on avenues for future research, aiming to deepen our understanding of this combative system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke P. Allsopp
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Patricia Bernal
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla 41012, Spain
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15
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Wu X, Almatari AL, Cyr WA, Williams DE, Pfiffner SM, Rivkina EM, Lloyd KG, Vishnivetskaya TA. Microbial life in 25-m-deep boreholes in ancient permafrost illuminated by metagenomics. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2023; 18:33. [PMID: 37055869 PMCID: PMC10103415 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-023-00487-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
This study describes the composition and potential metabolic adaptation of microbial communities in northeastern Siberia, a repository of the oldest permafrost in the Northern Hemisphere. Samples of contrasting depth (1.75 to 25.1 m below surface), age (from ~ 10 kyr to 1.1 Myr) and salinity (from low 0.1-0.2 ppt and brackish 0.3-1.3 ppt to saline 6.1 ppt) were collected from freshwater permafrost (FP) of borehole AL1_15 on the Alazeya River, and coastal brackish permafrost (BP) overlying marine permafrost (MP) of borehole CH1_17 on the East Siberian Sea coast. To avoid the limited view provided with culturing work, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to show that the biodiversity decreased dramatically with permafrost age. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis placed the samples into three groups: FP and BP together (10-100 kyr old), MP (105-120 kyr old), and FP (> 900 kyr old). Younger FP/BP deposits were distinguished by the presence of Acidobacteriota, Bacteroidota, Chloroflexota_A, and Gemmatimonadota, older FP deposits had a higher proportion of Gammaproteobacteria, and older MP deposits had much more uncultured groups within Asgardarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, Chloroflexota, Patescibacteria, and unassigned archaea. The 60 recovered metagenome-assembled genomes and un-binned metagenomic assemblies suggested that despite the large taxonomic differences between samples, they all had a wide range of taxa capable of fermentation coupled to nitrate utilization, with the exception of sulfur reduction present only in old MP deposits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofen Wu
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee, 1416 Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996-1605, USA
| | - Abraham L Almatari
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee, 1416 Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996-1605, USA
| | - Wyatt A Cyr
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee, 1416 Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996-1605, USA
| | - Daniel E Williams
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee, 1416 Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996-1605, USA
| | - Susan M Pfiffner
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee, 1416 Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996-1605, USA
| | - Elizaveta M Rivkina
- Soil Cryology Laboratory, Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia, 142290
| | - Karen G Lloyd
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Tatiana A Vishnivetskaya
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee, 1416 Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996-1605, USA.
- Soil Cryology Laboratory, Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia, 142290.
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
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16
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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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17
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Liu M, Zhao MY, Wang H, Wang ZH, Wang Z, Liu Y, Li YP, Dong T, Fu Y. Pesticin-Like Effector VgrG3 cp Targeting Peptidoglycan Delivered by the Type VI Secretion System Contributes to Vibrio cholerae Interbacterial Competition. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0426722. [PMID: 36625646 PMCID: PMC9927483 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04267-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae can utilize a type VI secretion system (T6SS) to increase its intra- and interspecies competition. However, much still remains to be understood about the underlying mechanism of this intraspecies competition. In this study, we isolated an environmental V. cholerae strain E1 that lacked the typical virulence factors toxin-coregulated pilus and cholera toxin and that encoded a functional T6SS. We identified an evolved VgrG3 variant with a predicted C-terminal pesticin-like domain in V. cholerae E1, designated VgrG3cp. Using heterologous expression, protein secretion, and peptidoglycan-degrading assays, we demonstrated that VgrG3cp is a T6SS-dependent effector harboring cell wall muramidase activity and that its toxicity can be neutralized by cognate immunity protein TsiV3cp. Site-directed mutagenesis proved that the aspartic acid residue at position 867 is crucial for VgrG3cp-mediated antibacterial activity. Bioinformatic analysis showed that genes encoding VgrG3cp-like homologs are distributed in Vibrio species, are linked with T6SS structural genes and auxiliary genes, and the vgrG3cp-tsiV3cp gene pair of V. cholerae probably evolved from Vibrio anguillarum and Vibrio fluvialis via homologous recombination. Through a time-lapse microscopy assay, we directly determined that cells accumulating VgrG3cp disrupted bacterial division, while the cells continued to increase in size until the loss of membrane potential and cell wall breakage and finally burst. The results of the competitive killing assay showed that VgrG3cp contributes to V. cholerae interspecies competition. Collectively, our study revealed a novel T6SS E-I pair representing a new T6SS toxin family which allows V. cholerae to gain dominance within polymicrobial communities by T6SS. IMPORTANCE The type VI secretion system used by a broad range of Gram-negative bacteria delivers toxic proteins to target adjacent eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Diversification of effector proteins determines the complex bacterium-bacterium interactions and impacts the health of hosts and environmental ecosystems in which bacteria reside. This work uncovered an evolved valine-glycine repeat protein G3, carrying a C-terminal pesticin-like domain (VgrG3cp), which has been suggested to harbor cell wall hydrolase activity and is able to affect cell division and the integrity of cell wall structure. Pesticin-like homologs constitute a family of T6SS-associated effectors targeting bacterial peptidoglycan which are distributed in Vibrio species, and genetic loci of them are linked with T6SS structural genes and auxiliary genes. T6SS-delivered VgrG3cp mediated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity for several microorganisms tested, indicating that VgrG3cp-mediated antimicrobial activity is capable of conferring bacteria a competitive advantage over competitors in the same niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Liu
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meng-Yu Zhao
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Heng Wang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zeng-Hang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhao Wang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Liu
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yin-Peng Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tao Dong
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yang Fu
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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18
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Wang Y, Zeng M, Xia L, Valerie Olovo C, Su Z, Zhang Y. Bacterial strategies for immune systems - Role of the type VI secretion system. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 114:109550. [PMID: 36525796 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The process of host infection by bacteria is complicated. Bacterial infections strongly induce the host immune system, which necessitates a robust clearance of the infection. However, bacteria have over time developed strategies that enable their evasion of attacks by the host immune system. One such strategy is the type VI secretion system (T6SS), a special needle-like secretion system that is widespread in Gram-negative bacteria and is responsible for delivering effector proteins into the external bacterial environment or directly into the host cell cytosol. Bacterial T6SS and its secreted effector proteins play an important role in the interaction between bacteria and host immune system. They also serve as antigens that are employed in the development of vaccines for clinical trials as well as future vaccine candidates. This review focuses mainly on aspects of T6SS effectors that impact the strength of the host immune system, including inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis (silent programmed cell death). The T6SS-based vaccines are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurou Wang
- Institute for Medical Immunology of Jiangsu University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Minmin Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Lin Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China; International Genome Center, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Chinasa Valerie Olovo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Zhaoliang Su
- Institute for Medical Immunology of Jiangsu University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; International Genome Center, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Institute for Medical Immunology of Jiangsu University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
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Effector protein Hcp2a of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli interacts with the endoplasmatic reticulum associated RPL23 protein of chicken DF-1 fibroblasts. Vet Res 2023; 54:6. [PMID: 36717947 PMCID: PMC9885592 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-023-01138-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a secretion apparatus widely found in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria and is important for competition among various bacteria and host cell pathogenesis. Hcp is a core component of functional T6SS and transports toxic effectors into target cells by assembling to form tube-like structures. Studies have shown that Hcp simultaneously acts as an effector to influence cellular physiological activities; however, the mechanism of its activity in host cells remains unclear. To investigate the target of effector protein Hcp2a in a chicken fibroblast cell line, we first detected the subcellular localization of Hcp2a in DF-1 cells by indirect immunofluorescence assay. The results showed that Hcp2a protein was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum of DF-1 cells. We also used a streptavidin-biotin affinity pull-down assay combined with LC-MS/MS to screen DF-1 cell lysates for proteins that interact with Hcp2a and analyze the cellular functional pathways affected by them. The results showed that Hcp2a interacted with 52 DF-1 cellular proteins that are involved in multiple intracellular pathways. To further explore the mechanism of Hcp2a protein targeting the endoplasmic reticulum of DF-1 cells, we screened three endoplasmic reticulum-associated proteins (RSL1D1, RPS3A, and RPL23) from 52 prey proteins of Hcp2a for protein-protein molecular docking analysis. The docking analysis showed that the effector protein Hcp2a and the RPL23 protein had good complementarity. Overall, we propose that Hcp2a has strong binding activity to the RPL23 protein in DF-1 cells and this may help Hcp2a anchor to the endoplasmic reticulum in DF-1 cells.
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Acken KA, Li B. Pseudomonas virulence factor controls expression of virulence genes in Pseudomonas entomophila. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284907. [PMID: 37200397 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing is a communication strategy that bacteria use to collectively alter gene expression in response to cell density. Pathogens use quorum sensing systems to control activities vital to infection, such as the production of virulence factors and biofilm formation. The Pseudomonas virulence factor (pvf) gene cluster encodes a signaling system (Pvf) that is present in over 500 strains of proteobacteria, including strains that infect a variety of plant and human hosts. We have shown that Pvf regulates the production of secreted proteins and small molecules in the insect pathogen Pseudomonas entomophila L48. Here, we identified genes that are likely regulated by Pvf using the model strain P. entomophila L48 which does not contain other known quorum sensing systems. Pvf regulated genes were identified through comparing the transcriptomes of wildtype P. entomophila and a pvf deletion mutant (ΔpvfA-D). We found that deletion of pvfA-D affected the expression of approximately 300 genes involved in virulence, the type VI secretion system, siderophore transport, and branched chain amino acid biosynthesis. Additionally, we identified seven putative biosynthetic gene clusters with reduced expression in ΔpvfA-D. Our results indicate that Pvf controls multiple virulence mechanisms in P. entomophila L48. Characterizing genes regulated by Pvf will aid understanding of host-pathogen interactions and development of anti-virulence strategies against P. entomophila and other pvf-containing strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie A Acken
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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Vishwakarma A, Srivastava A, Mishra S, Verma D. Taxonomic and functional profiling of Indian smokeless tobacco bacteriome uncovers several bacterial-derived risks to human health. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 39:20. [PMID: 36409379 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-022-03461-8] [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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Smokeless tobacco (ST) consumption keeps human oral health at high risk which is one of the major reasons for oral tumorigenesis. The chemical constituents of the ST products have been well discussed; however, the inhabitant microbial diversity of the ST products is less explored especially from south Asian regions. Therefore, the present investigation discusses the bacteriome-based analysis of indigenous tobacco products. The study relies on 16S amplicon-based bacteriome analysis of Indian smokeless tobacco (ST) products using a metagenomic approach. A total of 59,15,143 high-quality reads were assigned to 34 phyla, 82 classes, 176 orders, 256 families, 356 genera, and 154 species using the SILVA database. Of the phyla (> 1%), Firmicutes dominate among the Indian smokeless tobacco followed by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria (> 1%). Whereas, at the genera level (> 1%), Lysinibacillus, Dickeya, Terribacillus, and Bacillus dominate. The comparative analysis between the loose tobacco (LT) and commercial tobacco (CT) groups showed no significant difference at the phyla level, however, only three genera (Bacillus, Aerococcus, and Halomonas) were identified as significantly different between the groups. It indicates that CT and LT tobacco share similar bacterial diversity and poses equal health risks to human oral health. The phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt 2.0) based analysis uncovered several genes involved in nitrate/nitrite reduction, biofilm formation, and pro-inflammation that find roles in oral pathogenesis including oral cancer. The strong correlation analysis of these genes with several pathogenic bacteria suggests that tobacco products pose a high bacterial-derived risk to human health. The study paves the way to understand the bacterial diversity of Indian smokeless tobacco products and their putative functions with respect to human oral health. The study grabs attention to the bacterial diversity of the smokeless tobacco products from a country where tobacco consumers are rampantly prevalent however oral health is of least concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Vishwakarma
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, 226025, India
| | - Ankita Srivastava
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, 226025, India
| | - SukhDev Mishra
- Department of Bio-Statistics and Data Management, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Digvijay Verma
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, 226025, India.
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22
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Tsaplina O, Khaitlina S, Chukhontseva K, Karaseva M, Demidyuk I, Bakhlanova I, Baitin D, Artamonova T, Vedyaykin A, Khodorkovskii M, Vishnyakov I. Protealysin Targets the Bacterial Housekeeping Proteins FtsZ and RecA. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810787. [PMID: 36142700 PMCID: PMC9505478 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810787] [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: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Serratia proteamaculans synthesizes the intracellular metalloprotease protealysin. This work was aimed at searching for bacterial substrates of protealysin among the proteins responsible for replication and cell division. We have shown that protealysin unlimitedly cleaves the SOS response protein RecA. Even 20% of the cleaved RecA in solution appears to be incorporated into the polymer of uncleaved monomers, preventing further polymerization and inhibiting RecA ATPase activity. Transformation of Escherichia coli with a plasmid carrying the protealysin gene reduces the bacterial UV survival up to 10 times. In addition, the protealysin substrate is the FtsZ division protein, found in both E. coli and Acholeplasma laidlawii, which is only 51% identical to E. coli FtsZ. Protealysin cleaves FtsZ at the linker between the globular filament-forming domain and the C-terminal peptide that binds proteins on the bacterial membrane. Thus, cleavage of the C-terminal segment by protealysin can lead to the disruption of FtsZ’s attachment to the membrane, and thereby inhibit bacterial division. Since the protealysin operon encodes not only the protease, but also its inhibitor, which is typical for the system of interbacterial competition, we assume that in the case of penetration of protealysin into neighboring bacteria that do not synthesize a protealysin inhibitor, cleavage of FtsZ and RecA by protealysin may give S. proteamaculans an advantage in interbacterial competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Tsaplina
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-812-297-42-96
| | - Sofia Khaitlina
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ksenia Chukhontseva
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Karaseva
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilya Demidyuk
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina Bakhlanova
- Kurchatov Genome Center—PNPI, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute Named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre ‘‘Kurchatov Institute”, 188300 Gatchina, Russia
| | - Dmitry Baitin
- Kurchatov Genome Center—PNPI, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute Named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre ‘‘Kurchatov Institute”, 188300 Gatchina, Russia
| | - Tatiana Artamonova
- Department of Nanobiotechnologies, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexey Vedyaykin
- Department of Nanobiotechnologies, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Mikhail Khodorkovskii
- Department of Nanobiotechnologies, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia
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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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Sharma G, Garg N, Hasan S, Shirodkar S. Prevotella: An insight into its characteristics and associated virulence factors. Microb Pathog 2022; 169:105673. [PMID: 35843443 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Prevotella species, a gram-negative obligate anaerobe, is commonly associated with human infections such as dental caries and periodontitis, as well as other conditions such as chronic osteomyelitis, bite-related infections, rheumatoid arthritis and intestinal diseases like ulcerative colitis. This generally harmless commensal possesses virulence factors such as adhesins, hemolysins, secretion systems exopolysaccharide, LPS, proteases, quorum sensing molecules and antibiotic resistance to evolve into a well-adapted pathogen capable of causing successful infection and proliferation in the host tissue. This review describes several of these virulence factors and their advantage to Prevotella spp. in causing inflammatory diseases like periodontitis. In addition, using genome analysis of Prevotella reference strains, we examined other putative virulence determinants which can provide insights as biomarkers and be the targets for effective interventions in Prevotella related diseases like periodontitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetika Sharma
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Noida Campus, Noida, 201313, India
| | - Nancy Garg
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Noida Campus, Noida, 201313, India
| | - Shamimul Hasan
- Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Sheetal Shirodkar
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Noida Campus, Noida, 201313, India.
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25
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Kim SJ, Kim M, Lee KE, Cha IT, Park SJ. Complete genome sequence of marine photoheterotophic bacterium Erythrobacter sp. JK5. Mar Genomics 2022; 63:100950. [DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2022.100950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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26
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Lin L, Capozzoli R, Ferrand A, Plum M, Vettiger A, Basler M. Subcellular localization of Type VI secretion system assembly in response to cell–cell contact. EMBO J 2022; 41:e108595. [PMID: 35634969 PMCID: PMC9251886 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria require a number of systems, including the type VI secretion system (T6SS), for interbacterial competition and pathogenesis. The T6SS is a large nanomachine that can deliver toxins directly across membranes of proximal target cells. Since major reassembly of T6SS is necessary after each secretion event, accurate timing and localization of T6SS assembly can lower the cost of protein translocation. Although critically important, mechanisms underlying spatiotemporal regulation of T6SS assembly remain poorly understood. Here, we used super‐resolution live‐cell imaging to show that while Acinetobacter and Burkholderia thailandensis can assemble T6SS at any site, a significant subset of T6SS assemblies localizes precisely to the site of contact between neighboring bacteria. We identified a class of diverse, previously uncharacterized, periplasmic proteins required for this dynamic localization of T6SS to cell–cell contact (TslA). This precise localization is also dependent on the outer membrane porin OmpA. Our analysis links transmembrane communication to accurate timing and localization of T6SS assembly as well as uncovers a pathway allowing bacterial cells to respond to cell–cell contact during interbacterial competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Lin
- Biozentrum University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | | | - Alexia Ferrand
- Biozentrum Imaging Core Facility University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Miro Plum
- Biozentrum University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | | | - Marek Basler
- Biozentrum University of Basel Basel Switzerland
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27
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Serapio-Palacios A, Woodward SE, Vogt SL, Deng W, Creus-Cuadros A, Huus KE, Cirstea M, Gerrie M, Barcik W, Yu H, Finlay BB. Type VI secretion systems of pathogenic and commensal bacteria mediate niche occupancy in the gut. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110731. [PMID: 35476983 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a contractile nanomachine widely distributed among pathogenic and commensal Gram-negative bacteria. The T6SS is used for inter-bacterial competition to directly kill competing species; however, its importance during bacterial infection in vivo remains poorly understood. We report that the murine pathogen Citrobacter rodentium, used as a model for human pathogenic Escherichia coli, harbors two functional T6SSs. C. rodentium employs its T6SS-1 to colonize the murine gastrointestinal tract by targeting commensal Enterobacteriaceae. We identify VgrG1 as a C. rodentium T6SS antibacterial effector, which exhibits toxicity in E. coli. Conversely, commensal prey species E. coli Mt1B1 employs two T6SSs of its own to counter C. rodentium colonization. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the T6SS is a potent weapon during bacterial competition and is used by both invading pathogens and resident microbiota to fight for a niche in the hostile gut environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Serapio-Palacios
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Sarah E Woodward
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Stefanie L Vogt
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Wanyin Deng
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Anna Creus-Cuadros
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Kelsey E Huus
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Mihai Cirstea
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Madeleine Gerrie
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Weronika Barcik
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Hongbing Yu
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - B Brett Finlay
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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28
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Liyanapathiranage P, Jones JB, Potnis N. Mutation of a Single Core Gene, tssM, of Type VI Secretion System of Xanthomonas perforans Influences Virulence, Epiphytic Survival, and Transmission During Pathogenesis on Tomato. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2022; 112:752-764. [PMID: 34543058 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-02-21-0069-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Xanthomonas perforans is a seedborne hemibiotrophic pathogen that successfully establishes infection in the phyllosphere of tomato. While most studies investigating mechanistic basis of pathogenesis have focused on successful apoplastic growth, factors important during asymptomatic colonization in the early stages of disease development are not well understood. In this study, we show that tssM gene of the type VI secretion system cluster i3* (T6SS-i3*) plays a significant role during initial asymptomatic epiphytic colonization at different stages during the life cycle of the pathogen. Mutation in a core gene, tssM of T6SS-i3*, imparted higher aggressiveness to the pathogen, as indicated by higher overall disease severity, higher in planta growth, and shorter latent infection period compared with the wild-type upon dip inoculation of 4- to 5-week-old tomato plants. Contribution of tssM toward aggressiveness was evident during vertical transmission from seed to seedling, with wild-type showing reduced disease severity as well as lower in planta populations on seedlings compared with the mutant. Presence of functional TssM offered higher epiphytic fitness as well as higher dissemination potential to the pathogen when tested in an experimental setup mimicking transplant house high-humidity conditions. We showed higher osmotolerance being one mechanism by which TssM offers higher epiphytic fitness. Taken together, these data reveal that functional TssM plays a larger role in offering ecological advantage to the pathogen. TssM prolongs the association of hemibiotrophic pathogen with the host, minimizing overall disease severity yet facilitating successful dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey B Jones
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Neha Potnis
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
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29
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Ozanic M, Marecic V, Knezevic M, Kelava I, Stojková P, Lindgren L, Bröms JE, Sjöstedt A, Abu Kwaik Y, Santic M. The type IV pili component PilO is a virulence determinant of Francisella novicida. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261938. [PMID: 35077486 PMCID: PMC8789160 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is a highly pathogenic intracellular bacterium that causes the disease tularemia. While its ability to replicate within cells has been studied in much detail, the bacterium also encodes a less characterised type 4 pili (T4P) system. T4Ps are dynamic adhesive organelles identified as major virulence determinants in many human pathogens. In F. tularensis, the T4P is required for adherence to the host cell, as well as for protein secretion. Several components, including pilins, a pili peptidase, a secretin pore and two ATPases, are required to assemble a functional T4P, and these are encoded within distinct clusters on the Francisella chromosome. While some of these components have been functionally characterised, the role of PilO, if any, still is unknown. Here, we examined the role of PilO in the pathogenesis of F. novicida. Our results show that the PilO is essential for pilus assembly on the bacterial surface. In addition, PilO is important for adherence of F. novicida to human monocyte-derived macrophages, secretion of effector proteins and intracellular replication. Importantly, the pilO mutant is attenuated for virulence in BALB/c mice regardless of the route of infection. Following intratracheal and intradermal infection, the mutant caused no histopathology changes, and demonstrated impaired phagosomal escape and replication within lung liver as well as spleen. Thus, PilO is an essential virulence determinant of F. novicida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateja Ozanic
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Valentina Marecic
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Masa Knezevic
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ina Kelava
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Pavla Stojková
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lena Lindgren
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jeanette E. Bröms
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anders Sjöstedt
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Yousef Abu Kwaik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Center for Predictive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Marina Santic
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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30
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Ray S, Pandey NK, Kushwaha GS, Das S, Ganguly AK, Vashi N, Kumar D, Suar M, Bhavesh NS. Structural investigation on SPI-6 associated Salmonella Typhimurium VirG-like stress protein that promotes pathogen survival in macrophages. Protein Sci 2022; 31:835-849. [PMID: 34997791 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Enteric microbial pathogenesis, remarkably a complex process, is achieved by virulence factors encoded by genes located within regions of the bacterial genome termed pathogenicity islands. Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPI) encodes proteins, that are essential virulence determinants for pathogen colonization and virulence. In addition to the well-characterized SPI-1 and SPI-2 proteins, which are required for bacterial invasion and intracellular replication, respectively, SPI-6 (formerly known as Salmonella enterica centisome 7 island; SCI) encoding proteins are also known to play pivotal role in Salmonella pathogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of these proteins remained elusive. To gain molecular insights into SPI-6 associated proteins, in this study, a SPI-6 Salmonella Typhimurium VirG-like protein (STV) is characterized using interdisciplinary experimental approaches including X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, infection assays, and mice model. The high-resolution crystal structure, determined by the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) method, reveals that STV belongs to the LTxxQ motif family. Solution-state NMR spectroscopy studies reveal that STV form a dimer involving interconnected helices. Interestingly, functional studies shows that STV influence pathogen persistence inside macrophages in vitro at later stages of infection. Altogether, our findings suggest that STV, a member of the LTxxQ stress protein family, modulates bacterial survival mechanism in macrophages through SPI-1 and SPI-2 genes, respectively. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Ray
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be university, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Nishant Kumar Pandey
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be university, Bhubaneswar, India.,Transcription Regulation group, International Centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Gajraj Singh Kushwaha
- Transcription Regulation group, International Centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India.,KIIT-Technology Business Incubator, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be university, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Susmita Das
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be university, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Akshay Kumar Ganguly
- Transcription Regulation group, International Centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Nimi Vashi
- Cellular Immunology group, International Centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Dhiraj Kumar
- Cellular Immunology group, International Centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Mrutyunjay Suar
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be university, Bhubaneswar, India.,KIIT-Technology Business Incubator, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be university, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Neel Sarovar Bhavesh
- Transcription Regulation group, International Centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
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Jana B, Keppel K, Salomon D. Engineering a customizable antibacterial T6SS-based platform in Vibrio natriegens. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e53681. [PMID: 34494702 PMCID: PMC8567230 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens are a major risk to human, animal, and plant health. To counteract the spread of antibiotic resistance, alternative antibacterial strategies are urgently needed. Here, we construct a proof‐of‐concept customizable, modular, and inducible antibacterial toxin delivery platform. By engineering a type VI secretion system (T6SS) that is controlled by an externally induced on/off switch, we transform the safe bacterium, Vibrio natriegens, into an effective antibacterial weapon. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the delivered effector repertoire, and thus the toxicity range of this platform, can be easily manipulated and tested. We believe that this platform can serve as a foundation for novel antibacterial bio‐treatments, as well as a unique tool to study antibacterial toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswanath Jana
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Kinga Keppel
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dor Salomon
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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The Vibrio cholerae Type Six Secretion System Is Dispensable for Colonization but Affects Pathogenesis and the Structure of Zebrafish Intestinal Microbiome. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0015121. [PMID: 34097462 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00151-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are an attractive model organism for a variety of scientific studies, including host-microbe interactions. The organism is particularly useful for the study of aquatic microbes that can colonize vertebrate hosts, including Vibrio cholerae, an intestinal pathogen. V. cholerae must colonize the intestine of an exposed host for pathogenicity to occur. While numerous studies have explored various aspects of the pathogenic effects of V. cholerae on zebrafish and other model organisms, few, if any, have examined how a V. cholerae infection alters the resident intestinal microbiome and the role of the type six secretion system (T6SS) in that process. In this study, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was utilized to investigate how strains of V. cholerae both with and without the T6SS alter the aforementioned microbial profiles following an infection. V. cholerae infection induced significant changes in the zebrafish intestinal microbiome, and while not necessary for colonization, the T6SS was important for inducing mucin secretion, a marker for diarrhea. Additional salient differences to the microbiome were observed based on the presence or absence of the T6SS in the V. cholerae utilized for challenging the zebrafish hosts. We conclude that V. cholerae significantly modulates the zebrafish intestinal microbiome to enable colonization and that the T6SS is important for pathogenesis induced by the examined V. cholerae strains. Furthermore, the presence or absence of T6SS differentially and significantly affected the composition and structure of the intestinal microbiome, with an increased abundance of other Vibrio bacteria observed in the absence of V. cholerae T6SS.
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Inhibiting Type VI Secretion System Activity with a Biomimetic Peptide Designed To Target the Baseplate Wedge Complex. mBio 2021; 12:e0134821. [PMID: 34372705 PMCID: PMC8406304 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01348-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human health is threatened by bacterial infections that are increasingly resistant to multiple drugs. A recently emerged strategy consists of disarming pathogenic bacteria by targeting and blocking their virulence factors. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread secretion nanomachine encoded and employed by pathogenic strains to establish their virulence process during host invasion. Given the conservation of T6SS in several human bacterial pathogens, the discovery of an effective broad-spectrum T6SS virulence blocker represents an attractive target for development of antivirulence therapies. Here, we identified and validated a protein-protein interaction interface, TssK-TssG, as a key factor in the assembly of the T6SS baseplate (BP) complex in the pathogen enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC). In silico and biochemical studies revealed that the determinants of the interface are broadly conserved among pathogenic species, suggesting a role for this interface as a target for T6SS inhibition. Based on the high-resolution structure of the TssKFGE wedge complex, we rationally designed a biomimetic cyclic peptide (BCP) that blocks the assembly of the EAEC BP complex and inhibits the function of T6SS in bacterial cultures. Our BCP is the first compound completely designed from prior structural knowledge with anti-T6SS activity that can be used as a model to target human pathogens.
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34
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Activation of the type VI secretion system in the squid symbiont Vibrio fischeri requires the transcriptional regulator TasR and the structural proteins TssM and TssA. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:e0039921. [PMID: 34370559 PMCID: PMC8508121 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00399-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved diverse strategies to compete for a niche, including the type VI secretion system (T6SS), a contact-dependent killing mechanism. T6SSs are common in bacterial pathogens, commensals, and beneficial symbionts, where they affect the diversity and spatial structure of host-associated microbial communities. Although T6SS gene clusters are often located on genomic islands (GIs), which may be transferred as a unit, the regulatory strategies that promote gene expression once the T6SS genes are transferred into a new cell are not known. We used the squid symbiont, Vibrio fischeri, to identify essential regulatory factors that control expression of a strain-specific T6SS encoded on a GI. We found that a transcriptional reporter for this T6SS is active only in strains that contain the T6SS-encoding GI, suggesting the GI encodes at least one essential regulator. A transposon screen identified seven mutants that could not activate the reporter. These mutations mapped exclusively to three genes on the T6SS-containing GI that encode two essential structural proteins (a TssA-like protein and TssM) and a transcriptional regulator (TasR). Using T6SS reporters, RT-PCR, competition assays, and differential proteomics, we found that all three genes are required for expression of many T6SS components, except for the TssA-like protein and TssM, which are constitutively expressed. Based on these findings, we propose a model whereby T6SS expression requires conserved structural proteins, in addition to the essential regulator TasR, and this ability to self-regulate may be a strategy to activate T6SS expression upon transfer of T6SS-encoding elements into a new bacterial host. Importance Interbacterial weapons like the T6SS are often located on mobile genetic elements and their expression is highly regulated. We found that two conserved structural proteins are required for T6SS expression in Vibrio fischeri. These structural proteins also contain predicted GTPase and GTP binding domains, suggesting their role in promoting T6SS expression may involve sensing the energetic state of the cell. Such a mechanism would provide a direct link between T6SS activation and cellular energy levels, providing a "checkpoint" to ensure the cell has sufficient energy to build such a costly weapon. Because these regulatory factors are encoded within the T6SS gene cluster, they are predicted to move with the genetic element to activate T6SS expression in a new host cell.
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Cameranesi MM, Kurth D, Repizo GD. Acinetobacter defence mechanisms against biological aggressors and their use as alternative therapeutic applications. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 48:21-41. [PMID: 34289313 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.1939266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Several Acinetobacter strains are important nosocomial pathogens, with Acinetobacter baumannii being the species of greatest worldwide concern due to its multi-drug resistance and the recent appearance of hyper-virulent strains in the clinical setting. Colonisation of this environment is associated with a multitude of bacterial factors, and the molecular features that promote environmental persistence in abiotic surfaces, including intrinsic desiccation resistance, biofilm formation and motility, have been previously addressed. On the contrary, mechanisms enabling Acinetobacter spp. survival when faced against other biological competitors are starting to be characterised. Among them, secretion systems (SS) of different types, such as the T5bSS (Contact-dependent inhibition systems) and the T6SS, confer adaptive advantages against bacterial aggressors. Regarding mechanisms of defence against bacteriophages, such as toxin-antitoxin, restriction-modification, Crispr-Cas and CBASS, among others, have been identified but remain poorly characterised. In view of this, we aimed to summarise the present knowledge on defence mechanisms that enable niche establishment in members of the Acinetobacter genus. Different proposals are also described for the use of some components of these systems as molecular tools to treat Acinetobacter infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Marcela Cameranesi
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET), Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Daniel Kurth
- Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (PROIMI, CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Guillermo Daniel Repizo
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET), Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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36
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Custodio R, Ford RM, Ellison CJ, Liu G, Mickute G, Tang CM, Exley RM. Type VI secretion system killing by commensal Neisseria is influenced by expression of type four pili. eLife 2021; 10:63755. [PMID: 34232858 PMCID: PMC8263058 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Type VI Secretion Systems (T6SSs) are widespread in bacteria and can dictate the development and organisation of polymicrobial ecosystems by mediating contact dependent killing. In Neisseria species, including Neisseria cinerea a commensal of the human respiratory tract, interbacterial contacts are mediated by Type four pili (Tfp) which promote formation of aggregates and govern the spatial dynamics of growing Neisseria microcolonies. Here, we show that N. cinerea expresses a plasmid-encoded T6SS that is active and can limit growth of related pathogens. We explored the impact of Tfp on N. cinerea T6SS-dependent killing within a colony and show that pilus expression by a prey strain enhances susceptibility to T6SS compared to a non-piliated prey, by preventing segregation from a T6SS-wielding attacker. Our findings have important implications for understanding how spatial constraints during contact-dependent antagonism can shape the evolution of microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Custodio
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rhian M Ford
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Cara J Ellison
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Guangyu Liu
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gerda Mickute
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christoph M Tang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel M Exley
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Robinson L, Liaw J, Omole Z, Xia D, van Vliet AHM, Corcionivoschi N, Hachani A, Gundogdu O. Bioinformatic Analysis of the Campylobacter jejuni Type VI Secretion System and Effector Prediction. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:694824. [PMID: 34276628 PMCID: PMC8285248 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.694824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) has important roles relating to bacterial antagonism, subversion of host cells, and niche colonisation. Campylobacter jejuni is one of the leading bacterial causes of human gastroenteritis worldwide and is a commensal coloniser of birds. Although recently discovered, the T6SS biological functions and identities of its effectors are still poorly defined in C. jejuni. Here, we perform a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the C. jejuni T6SS by investigating the prevalence and genetic architecture of the T6SS in 513 publicly available genomes using C. jejuni 488 strain as reference. A unique and conserved T6SS cluster associated with the Campylobacter jejuni Integrated Element 3 (CJIE3) was identified in the genomes of 117 strains. Analyses of the T6SS-positive 488 strain against the T6SS-negative C. jejuni RM1221 strain and the T6SS-positive plasmid pCJDM202 carried by C. jejuni WP2-202 strain defined the “T6SS-containing CJIE3” as a pathogenicity island, thus renamed as Campylobacter jejuni Pathogenicity Island-1 (CJPI-1). Analysis of CJPI-1 revealed two canonical VgrG homologues, CJ488_0978 and CJ488_0998, harbouring distinct C-termini in a genetically variable region downstream of the T6SS operon. CJPI-1 was also found to carry a putative DinJ-YafQ Type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) module, conserved across pCJDM202 and the genomic island CJIE3, as well as several open reading frames functionally predicted to encode for nucleases, lipases, and peptidoglycan hydrolases. This comprehensive in silico study provides a framework for experimental characterisation of T6SS-related effectors and TA modules in C. jejuni.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Robinson
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janie Liaw
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zahra Omole
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dong Xia
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arnoud H M van Vliet
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolae Corcionivoschi
- Bacteriology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, United Kingdom.,Bioengineering of Animal Science Resources, Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine - King Michael the I of Romania, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Abderrahman Hachani
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ozan Gundogdu
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Yadav SK, Magotra A, Ghosh S, Krishnan A, Pradhan A, Kumar R, Das J, Sharma M, Jha G. Immunity proteins of dual nuclease T6SS effectors function as transcriptional repressors. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e51857. [PMID: 33786997 PMCID: PMC8183406 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria utilize type VI secretion system (T6SS) to deliver antibacterial toxins to target co-habiting bacteria. Here, we report that Burkholderia gladioli strain NGJ1 deploys certain T6SS effectors (TseTBg), having both DNase and RNase activities to kill target bacteria. RNase activity is prominent on NGJ1 as well as other bacterial RNA while DNase activity is pertinent to only other bacteria. The associated immunity (TsiTBg) proteins harbor non-canonical helix-turn-helix motifs and demonstrate transcriptional repression activity, similar to the antitoxins of type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems. Genome analysis reveals that homologs of TseTBg are either encoded as TA or T6SS effectors in diverse bacteria. Our results indicate that a new ORF (encoding a hypothetical protein) has evolved as a result of operonic fusion of TA type TseTBg homolog with certain T6SS-related genes by the action of IS3 transposable elements. This has potentially led to the conversion of a TA into T6SS effector in Burkholderia. Our study exemplifies that bacteria can recruit toxins of TA systems as T6SS weapons to diversify its arsenal to dominate during inter-bacterial competitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kumar Yadav
- Plant Microbe Interactions LaboratoryNational Institute of Plant Genome ResearchAruna Asaf Ali MargIndia
| | - Ankita Magotra
- Plant Microbe Interactions LaboratoryNational Institute of Plant Genome ResearchAruna Asaf Ali MargIndia
| | - Srayan Ghosh
- Plant Microbe Interactions LaboratoryNational Institute of Plant Genome ResearchAruna Asaf Ali MargIndia
| | - Aiswarya Krishnan
- Plant Microbe Interactions LaboratoryNational Institute of Plant Genome ResearchAruna Asaf Ali MargIndia
| | - Amrita Pradhan
- Plant Microbe Interactions LaboratoryNational Institute of Plant Genome ResearchAruna Asaf Ali MargIndia
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Plant Microbe Interactions LaboratoryNational Institute of Plant Genome ResearchAruna Asaf Ali MargIndia
| | - Joyati Das
- Plant Microbe Interactions LaboratoryNational Institute of Plant Genome ResearchAruna Asaf Ali MargIndia
| | - Mamta Sharma
- Plant Microbe Interactions LaboratoryNational Institute of Plant Genome ResearchAruna Asaf Ali MargIndia
| | - Gopaljee Jha
- Plant Microbe Interactions LaboratoryNational Institute of Plant Genome ResearchAruna Asaf Ali MargIndia
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Trotta A, Del Sambro L, Galgano M, Ciccarelli S, Ottone E, Simone D, Parisi A, Buonavoglia D, Corrente M. Salmonella enterica Subsp. houtenae Associated with an Abscess in Young Roe Deer ( Capreolus capreolus). Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060654. [PMID: 34070532 PMCID: PMC8227071 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND S. enterica subsp. houtenae has been rarely documented, and very limited genomic information is available. This report describes a rare case of primary extraintestinal salmonellosis in a young roe deer, associated with Salmonella enterica subsp. houtenae. Methods: A traditional cultural-based analysis was carried out from the contents of a neck abscess; biochemical identification and PCR assay were performed to isolate and identify the pathogen. Through whole-genome sequencing (WGS), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), core genome MLST (cgMLST), and the Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs) survey, resistome and virulome genes were investigated to gain insight into the virulence and antimicrobial resistance of S. houtenae. RESULTS Biochemical identification and PCR confirmed the presence of Salmonella spp. in the swelling. The WGS analysis identified Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae serovar 43:z4,z23:- and ST 958. The virulence study predicted a multidrug resistance pattern with resistance shown against aminoglycosides, tetracycline, beta-lactamase, fluoroquinolones, fosfomycin, nitroimidazole, aminocoumarin, and peptide. Fifty-three antibiotic-resistant genes were identified. No plasmids were detected. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the importance of continuous surveillance of pathogenic salmonellae. Biomolecular analyses combined with epidemiological data can provide important information about poorly described Salmonella strains and can help to improve animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Trotta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy; (A.T.); (M.G.); (S.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Laura Del Sambro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e Basilicata, Sezione di Putignano, Contrada San Pietro Piturno, 70017 Putignano, BA, Italy; (L.D.S.); (D.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Michela Galgano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy; (A.T.); (M.G.); (S.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Stefano Ciccarelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy; (A.T.); (M.G.); (S.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Erika Ottone
- Parco Nazionale Pollino, Complesso Monumentale Santa Maria della Consolazione, 85048 Rotonda, PZ, Italy;
| | - Domenico Simone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e Basilicata, Sezione di Putignano, Contrada San Pietro Piturno, 70017 Putignano, BA, Italy; (L.D.S.); (D.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonio Parisi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e Basilicata, Sezione di Putignano, Contrada San Pietro Piturno, 70017 Putignano, BA, Italy; (L.D.S.); (D.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Domenico Buonavoglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy; (A.T.); (M.G.); (S.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Marialaura Corrente
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy; (A.T.); (M.G.); (S.C.); (D.B.)
- Correspondence:
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40
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Evolution of Interbacterial Antagonism in Bee Gut Microbiota Reflects Host and Symbiont Diversification. mSystems 2021; 6:6/3/e00063-21. [PMID: 33975963 PMCID: PMC8125069 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00063-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Antagonistic interactions between bacteria affect diversity and dynamics of host-associated communities, including gut communities that are linked to host health. In many bacterial communities, including human and honey bee gut microbiotas, antagonism is mediated by type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) that deliver lethal toxins to competing strains. Gram-negative bacteria frequently possess type VI secretion systems (T6SSs), protein complexes that are able to inject toxic proteins into nearby cells. Many aspects of T6SS structure and function have been characterized for model species, but less is known about the evolutionary processes that shape T6SS and effector (toxin) diversity in host-associated microbial communities. The bee gut microbiota is a simple community that has codiversified with bees for >80 million years. This study investigated how complements of T6SSs and effectors within the bee microbiota changed as bacteria and their hosts diversified into isolated species. We used protein homology to survey 198 isolate genomes of 9 Gram-negative species for genes encoding T6SS structural components; Rhs toxins, which are common T6SS effectors; and VgrG proteins, which are structural components associated with specific toxins. T6SS loci were present in 5 species clusters found only in bees, namely Apibacter spp., Gilliamella spp., Frischella perrara, “Candidatus Schmidhempelia bombi,” and Snodgrassella alvi. The distribution of T6SS loci suggests that at least 3 were present in the microbiota of the common ancestor of social bees and that loss of these genes in some bacterial lineages was linked to both host and bacterial speciation. Isolates differed enormously in repertoires of Rhs and VgrG proteins. We found that bacterial species employ different mechanisms for toxin acquisition and diversification and that species and strains sometimes lose the T6SS entirely, likely causing shifts in competitive dynamics within these communities. IMPORTANCE Antagonistic interactions between bacteria affect diversity and dynamics of host-associated communities, including gut communities that are linked to host health. In many bacterial communities, including human and honey bee gut microbiotas, antagonism is mediated by type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) that deliver lethal toxins to competing strains. In this study, we explored how T6SSs and associated toxins have evolved in the simple, host-specific gut microbiota of honey bees and bumble bees. Using comparative genomics, we explored the conservation, recombination, horizontal transfer, and loss of T6SSs and effectors during 80 million years of evolution of this bee-associated community. We find that that patterns of T6SS loss and retention are linked to differences in biology across host species, while trends in effector diversification are mostly specific to bacterial lineages.
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41
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Wang N, Han N, Tian R, Chen J, Gao X, Wu Z, Liu Y, Huang L. Role of the Type VI Secretion System in the Pathogenicity of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, the Causative Agent of Kiwifruit Bacterial Canker. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:627785. [PMID: 33679650 PMCID: PMC7933208 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.627785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS), a macromolecular machine, plays an important role in the pathogenicity of many Gram-negative bacteria. However, the role of T6SS in the pathogenicity of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), the pathogen of kiwifruit bacterial canker, is yet to be studied. Here, we found a T6SS gene cluster consisting of 13 core genes (A-J) in the genome of Psa M228 based on a genome-wide analysis. To determine whether the T6SS gene cluster affects the pathogenicity of Psa M228, T6SS and its 13 core gene deletion mutants were constructed and their pathogenicity was determined. The deletion mutants showed different degrees of reduction in pathogenicity compared with the wild-type strain M228; in tssM and tssJ mutants, pathogenicity was significantly reduced by 78.7 and 71.3%, respectively. The pathogenicity results were also confirmed by electron microscopy. To further confirm that the reduction in pathogenicity is related to the function of T6SS, we selected the T6SS gene cluster, comprising tssM and tssJ, for further analyses. Western blot results revealed that tssM and tssJ were necessary for hemolytic co-regulatory protein secretion, indicating that they encode a functional T6SS. Further, we explored the mechanism by which T6SS affects the pathogenicity of Psa M228. The ability of bacterial competition, biofilm formation, hydrogen peroxide tolerance, and proteolytic activity were all weakened in the deletion mutants M228ΔT6SS, M228ΔtssM, and M228ΔtssJ. All these properties of the two gene complementation mutants were restored to the same levels as those of the wild-type strain, M228. Quantitative real-time results showed that during the interaction between the deletion mutant M228ΔT6SS and the host, expression levels of T3SS transcriptional regulatory gene hrpR, structural genes hrpZ, hrcC, hopP1, and effector genes hopH1 and hopM1 were down-regulated at different levels. Taken together, our data provide evidence for the first time that the T6SS plays an important role in the pathogenicity of Psa, probably via effects on bacterial competition, biofilm formation, and environmental adaptability. Moreover, a complicated relationship exists between T6SS and T3SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Ning Han
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Runze Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jiliang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xiaoning Gao
- Institute of Bioengineering, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiran Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yuqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,College of Life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Lili Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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42
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Hug S, Liu Y, Heiniger B, Bailly A, Ahrens CH, Eberl L, Pessi G. Differential Expression of Paraburkholderia phymatum Type VI Secretion Systems (T6SS) Suggests a Role of T6SS-b in Early Symbiotic Interaction. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:699590. [PMID: 34394152 PMCID: PMC8356804 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.699590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Paraburkholderia phymatum STM815, a rhizobial strain of the Burkholderiaceae family, is able to nodulate a broad range of legumes including the agriculturally important Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean). P. phymatum harbors two type VI Secretion Systems (T6SS-b and T6SS-3) in its genome that contribute to its high interbacterial competitiveness in vitro and in infecting the roots of several legumes. In this study, we show that P. phymatum T6SS-b is found in the genomes of several soil-dwelling plant symbionts and that its expression is induced by the presence of citrate and is higher at 20/28°C compared to 37°C. Conversely, T6SS-3 shows homologies to T6SS clusters found in several pathogenic Burkholderia strains, is more prominently expressed with succinate during stationary phase and at 37°C. In addition, T6SS-b expression was activated in the presence of germinated seeds as well as in P. vulgaris and Mimosa pudica root nodules. Phenotypic analysis of selected deletion mutant strains suggested a role of T6SS-b in motility but not at later stages of the interaction with legumes. In contrast, the T6SS-3 mutant was not affected in any of the free-living and symbiotic phenotypes examined. Thus, P. phymatum T6SS-b is potentially important for the early infection step in the symbiosis with legumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Hug
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yilei Liu
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Heiniger
- Agroscope, Research Group Molecular Diagnostics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Aurélien Bailly
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian H. Ahrens
- Agroscope, Research Group Molecular Diagnostics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Leo Eberl
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gabriella Pessi
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Gabriella Pessi,
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43
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Kempnich MW, Sison-Mangus MP. Presence and abundance of bacteria with the Type VI secretion system in a coastal environment and in the global oceans. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244217. [PMID: 33351849 PMCID: PMC7755280 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine bacteria employ various strategies to maintain their competitive advantage over others in a mixed community. The use of Type VI Secretion Systems (T6SS), a protein secretion apparatus used as a molecular weapon for interbacterial competition and eukaryotic interactions, is one of the competitive strategies that is least studied among heterotrophic bacteria living in the water column. To get an insight into the temporal and spatial distribution of bacteria with T6SS in this portion of the marine environment, we examine the presence and abundance of T6SS-bearing bacteria at both local and global scales through the use of metagenome data from water samples obtained from the coast of Monterey Bay and the TARA Oceans project. We also track the abundance of T6SS-harboring bacteria through a two-year time series of weekly water samples in the same coastal site to examine the environmental factors that may drive their presence and abundance. Among the twenty-one T6SS-bearing bacterial genera examined, we found several genera assume a particle-attached lifestyle, with only a few genera having a free-living lifestyle. The abundance of T6SS-harboring bacteria in both niches negatively correlates with the abundance of autotrophs. Globally, we found that T6SS genes are much more abundant in areas with low biological productivity. Our data suggest that T6SS-harboring bacteria tend to be abundant spatially and temporally when organic resources are limited. This ecological study agrees with the patterns observed from several in vitro studies; that T6SS could be an adaptive strategy employed by heterotrophic bacteria to obtain nutrients or reduce competition when resources are in limited quantity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W. Kempnich
- Department of Ocean Sciences and Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Marilou P. Sison-Mangus
- Department of Ocean Sciences and Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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44
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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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45
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Ting SY, Martínez-García E, Huang S, Bertolli SK, Kelly KA, Cutler KJ, Su ED, Zhi H, Tang Q, Radey MC, Raffatellu M, Peterson SB, de Lorenzo V, Mougous JD. Targeted Depletion of Bacteria from Mixed Populations by Programmable Adhesion with Antagonistic Competitor Cells. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 28:313-321.e6. [PMID: 32470328 PMCID: PMC7725374 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Selective and targeted removal of individual species or strains of bacteria from complex communities can be desirable over traditional, broadly acting antibacterials in several contexts. However, generalizable strategies that accomplish this with high specificity have been slow to emerge. Here we develop programmed inhibitor cells (PICs) that direct the potent antibacterial activity of the type VI secretion system (T6SS) against specified target cells. The PICs express surface-displayed nanobodies that mediate antigen-specific cell-cell adhesion to effectively overcome the barrier to T6SS activity in fluid conditions. We demonstrate the capacity of PICs to efficiently deplete low-abundance target bacteria without significant collateral damage to complex microbial communities. The only known requirements for PIC targeting are a Gram-negative cell envelope and a unique cell surface antigen; therefore, this approach should be generalizable to a wide array of bacteria and find application in medical, research, and environmental settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- See-Yeun Ting
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Shuo Huang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Savannah K Bertolli
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Katherine A Kelly
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Kevin J Cutler
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Elizabeth D Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Hui Zhi
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Qing Tang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Matthew C Radey
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Manuela Raffatellu
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Chiba University-UC San Diego Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy, and Vaccines (CU-UCSD cMAV), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - S Brook Peterson
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Víctor de Lorenzo
- System Biology Program, National Center of Biotechnology CSIC, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joseph D Mougous
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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46
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Possible drugs for the treatment of bacterial infections in the future: anti-virulence drugs. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2020; 74:24-41. [PMID: 32647212 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-020-0344-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a global threat that should be urgently resolved. Finding a new antibiotic is one way, whereas the repression of the dissemination of virulent pathogenic bacteria is another. From this point of view, this paper summarizes first the mechanisms of conjugation and transformation, two important processes of horizontal gene transfer, and then discusses the approaches for disarming virulent pathogenic bacteria, that is, virulence factor inhibitors. In contrast to antibiotics, anti-virulence drugs do not impose a high selective pressure on a bacterial population, and repress the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. Disarmed virulence factors make virulent pathogens avirulent bacteria or pathobionts, so that we human will be able to coexist with these disarmed bacteria peacefully.
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47
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Salinero-Lanzarote A, Pacheco-Moreno A, Domingo-Serrano L, Durán D, Ormeño-Orrillo E, Martínez-Romero E, Albareda M, Palacios JM, Rey L. The Type VI secretion system of Rhizobium etli Mim1 has a positive effect in symbiosis. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020; 95:5449006. [PMID: 30977796 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiz054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) allow bacteria to translocate effector proteins to other bacteria or to eukaryotic cells. However, little is known about the role of T6SS in endosymbiotic bacteria. In this work we describe the T6SS of Rhizobium etli Mim1, a bacteria able to effectively nodulate common beans. Structural genes and those encoding possible effectors have been identified in a 28-gene DNA region of R. etli Mim1 pRetMIM1f plasmid. Immunodetection of Hcp protein, a conserved key structural component of T6SS systems, indicates that this secretion system is active at high cell densities, in the presence of root exudates, and in bean nodules. Rhizobium etli mutants affected in T6SS structural genes produced plants with lower dry weight and smaller nodules than the wild-type strain, indicating for the first time that the T6SS plays a positive role in Rhizobium-legume symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Salinero-Lanzarote
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus de Montegancedo, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Biotecnología y Biología Vegetal, ETSI Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba Pacheco-Moreno
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus de Montegancedo, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Biotecnología y Biología Vegetal, ETSI Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Domingo-Serrano
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus de Montegancedo, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Biotecnología y Biología Vegetal, ETSI Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Durán
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus de Montegancedo, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Biotecnología y Biología Vegetal, ETSI Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Marta Albareda
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus de Montegancedo, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Biotecnología y Biología Vegetal, ETSI Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Manuel Palacios
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus de Montegancedo, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Biotecnología y Biología Vegetal, ETSI Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Rey
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus de Montegancedo, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Biotecnología y Biología Vegetal, ETSI Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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48
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Vazquez-Lopez J, Navarro-Garcia F. In silico Analyses of Core Proteins and Putative Effector and Immunity Proteins for T6SS in Enterohemorrhagic E. coli. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:195. [PMID: 32432054 PMCID: PMC7216683 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) has become an important pathogen that can cause diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in humans. Recent reports show that the type VI secretion system (T6SS) from EHEC is required to produce infection in a murine model and its expression has been related to a higher prevalence of HUS. In this work, we use bioinformatics analyses to identify the core genes of the T6SS and compared the differences between these components among the two published genomes for EHEC O157:H7 strain EDL933. Prototype strain EDL933 was further compared with other O157:H7 genomes. Unlike other typical T6SS effectors found in E. coli, we identified that there are several rhs family genes in EHEC, which could serve as T6SS effectors. In-silico and PCR analyses of the differences between rhs genes in the two existing genomes, allowed us to determine that the most recently published genome is more reliable to study the rhs genes. Analyzing the putative tridimensional structure of Rhs proteins, as well as the motifs found in their C-terminal end, allowed us to predict their possible functions. A phylogenetic analysis showed that the orphan rhs genes are more closely related between them than the rhs genes belonging to vgrG islands and that they are divided into three clades. Analyses of the downstream region of the rhs genes for identifying hypothetical immunity proteins showed that every gene has an associated small ORF (129-609 nucleotides). These genes could serve as immunity proteins as they had several interaction motifs as well as structural homology with other known immunity proteins. Our findings highlight the relevance of the T6SS in EHEC as well as the possible function of the Rhs effectors of EHEC O157:H7 during pathogenesis and bacterial competition, and the identification of novel effectors for the T6SS using a structural approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Vazquez-Lopez
- Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fernando Navarro-Garcia
- Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
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49
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Fur-Dam Regulatory Interplay at an Internal Promoter of the Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli Type VI Secretion sci1 Gene Cluster. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:JB.00075-20. [PMID: 32152218 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00075-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a weapon for delivering effectors into target cells that is widespread in Gram-negative bacteria. The T6SS is a highly versatile machine, as it can target both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, and it has been proposed that T6SSs are adapted to the specific needs of each bacterium. The expression of T6SS gene clusters and the activation of the secretion apparatus are therefore tightly controlled. In enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), the sci1 T6SS gene cluster is subject to a complex regulation involving both the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) and DNA adenine methylase (Dam)-dependent DNA methylation. In this study, an additional, internal, promoter was identified within the sci1 gene cluster using +1 transcriptional mapping. Further analyses demonstrated that this internal promoter is controlled by a mechanism strictly identical to that of the main promoter. The Fur binding box overlaps the -10 transcriptional element and a Dam methylation site, GATC-32. Hence, the expression of the distal sci1 genes is repressed and the GATC-32 site is protected from methylation in iron-rich conditions. The Fur-dependent protection of GATC-32 was confirmed by an in vitro methylation assay. In addition, the methylation of GATC-32 negatively impacted Fur binding. The expression of the sci1 internal promoter is therefore controlled by iron availability through Fur regulation, whereas Dam-dependent methylation maintains a stable ON expression in iron-limited conditions.IMPORTANCE Bacteria use weapons to deliver effectors into target cells. One of these weapons, the type VI secretion system (T6SS), assembles a contractile tail acting as a spring to propel a toxin-loaded needle. Its expression and activation therefore need to be tightly regulated. Here, we identified an internal promoter within the sci1 T6SS gene cluster in enteroaggregative E. coli We show that this internal promoter is controlled by Fur and Dam-dependent methylation. We further demonstrate that Fur and Dam compete at the -10 transcriptional element to finely tune the expression of T6SS genes. We propose that this elegant regulatory mechanism allows the optimum production of the T6SS in conditions where enteroaggregative E. coli encounters competing species.
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50
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Abstract
The translocation of proteins across membranes is a fundamental cellular function. Bacteria have evolved a striking array of pathways for delivering proteins into or across cytoplasmic membranes and, when present, outer membranes. Translocated proteins can form part of the membrane landscape, reside in the periplasmic space situated between the inner and outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria, deposit on the cell surface, or be released to the extracellular milieu or injected directly into target cells. One protein translocation system, the general secretory pathway, is conserved in all domains of life. A second, the twin-arginine translocation pathway, is also phylogenetically distributed among most bacteria and plant chloroplasts. While all cell types have evolved additional systems dedicated to the translocation of protein cargoes, the number of such systems in bacteria is now known to exceed nine. These dedicated protein translocation systems, which include the types 1 through 9 secretion systems (T1SSs-T9SSs), the chaperone-usher pathway, and type IV pilus system, are the subject of this review. Most of these systems were originally identified and have been extensively characterized in Gram-negative or diderm (two-membrane) species. It is now known that several of these systems also have been adapted to function in Gram-positive or monoderm (single-membrane) species, and at least one pathway is found only in monoderms. This review briefly summarizes the distinctive mechanistic and structural features of each dedicated pathway, as well as the shared properties, that together account for the broad biological diversity of protein translocation in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Christie
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, TX, USA.
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