Structure and assembly of type VI secretion system cargo delivery vehicle

1. Download : Download high-res image (313KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

The type VI secretion toolkit

Bacterial secretion systems are macromolecular complexes that release virulence factors into the medium or translocate them into the target host cell. These systems are widespread in bacteria allowing them to infect eukaryotic cells and survive or replicate within them. A new secretion system, the type VI secretion system (T6SS), was recently described and characterized in several pathogens. Genomic data suggest that T6SS exist in most bacteria that come into close contact with eukaryotic cells, including plant and animal pathogens. Many research groups are now investigating the underlying mechanisms and the way in which the effector proteins translocated through this machine subvert host defences. This review provides an overview of our current knowledge about type VI secretion, focusing on gene regulation, components of the secretion machine, substrate secretion and the cellular consequences for the host cell.     

Dissection of a type VI secretion system in Edwardsiella tarda

Bacterial pathogens use different protein secretion systems to deliver virulence factors. Recently, a novel secretion system was discovered in several Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, and was designated as the type VI secretion system (T6SS). In Edwardsiella tarda, a partial E. tardavirulent protein (EVP) gene cluster was implicated in protein secretion. Here, we identified the entire EVP cluster as a T6SS and two additional secreted proteins (EvpI, a homologue of VgrG, and EvpP) were found. We systematically mutagenized all the 16 EVP genes and found that the secretion of EvpP was dependent on 13 EVP proteins including EvpC (a homologue of Hcp) and EvpI but not EvpD and EvpJ. All EVP mutants except DeltaevpD were attenuated in blue gourami fish. The 16 EVP proteins can be grouped according to their functions and cellular locations. The first group comprises 11 non-secreted and possibly intracellular apparatus proteins. Among them, EvpO, a putative ATPase which contained a Walker A motif, showed possible interactions with three EVP proteins (EvpA, EvpL and EvpN). The second group includes three secreted proteins (EvpC, EvpI and EvpP). The secretion of EvpC and EvpI is mutually dependent, and they are required for the secretion of EvpP. The interaction between EvpC and EvpP was demonstrated. Lastly, two proteins (EvpD and EvpJ) are not required for the T6SS-dependent secretion.     

The Vibrio cholerae type VI secretion system: toxins,regulators and consequences

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a proteinaceous weapon used by many Gram-negative bacteria to deliver toxins into adjacent target cells. Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium responsible for the fatal water-borne cholera disease, uses the T6SS to evade phagocytic eukaryotes, cause intestinal inflammation, and compete against other bacteria with toxins that disrupt lipid membranes, cell walls and actin cytoskeletons. The control of T6SS genes varies among V. cholerae strains and typically includes inputs from external signals and cues, such as quorum sensing and chitin availability. In the following review, we highlight the repertoire of toxic T6SS effectors and the diverse genetic regulation networks among different isolates of V. cholerae. Finally, we discuss the roles played by the T6SS of V. cholerae in both natural environments and hosts.     

Causalities of war: The connection between type VI secretion system and microbiota

Microbiota niches have space and/or nutrient restrictions, which has led to the coevolution of cooperation, specialisation, and competition within the population. Different animal and environmental niches contain defined resident microbiota that tend to be stable over time and offer protection against undesired intruders. Yet fluxes can occur, which alter the composition of a bacterial population. In humans, the microbiota are now considered a key contributor to maintenance of health and homeostasis, and its alteration leads to dysbiosis. The bacterial type VI secretion system (T6SS) transports proteins into the environment, directly into host cells or can function as an antibacterial weapon by killing surrounding competitors. Upon contact with neighbouring cells, the T6SS fires, delivering a payload of effector proteins. In the absence of an immunity protein, this results in growth inhibition or death of prey leading to a competitive advantage for the attacker. It is becoming apparent that the T6SS has a role in modulating and shaping the microbiota at multiple levels, which is the focus of this review. Discussed here is the T6SS, its role in competition, key examples of its effect upon the microbiota, and future avenues of research.     

A binary effector module secreted by a type VI secretion system

Gram‐negative bacteria use type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) to deliver toxic effector proteins into neighboring cells. Cargo effectors are secreted by binding noncovalently to the T6SS apparatus. Occasionally, effector secretion is assisted by an adaptor protein, although the adaptor itself is not secreted. Here, we report a new T6SS secretion mechanism, in which an effector and a co‐effector are secreted together. Specifically, we identify a novel periplasm‐targeting effector that is secreted together with its co‐effector, which contains a MIX (marker for type sIX effector) domain previously reported only in polymorphic toxins. The effector and co‐effector directly interact, and they are dependent on each other for secretion. We term this new secretion mechanism “a binary effector module,” and we show that it is widely distributed in marine bacteria.     

The regulatory network of Vibrio parahaemolyticus type VI secretion system 1

Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are widespread, tightly regulated, protein delivery apparatuses used by Gram-negative bacteria to outcompete their neighbours. The pathogen, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, encodes two T6SSs. These T6SSs are differentially regulated by external conditions. T6SS1, an antibacterial system predominantly found in pathogenic isolates, requires warm marine-like conditions and surface sensing for activation. The regulatory network that governs this activation is not well understood. In this work, we devised a screening methodology that allows us to easily monitor the outcome of bacterial competitions and thus to identify mutants that are defective in T6SS1-mediated bacterial killing. The methodology, termed Ba cterial Co mpetition F luorescence (BaCoF), relies on detection of a fluorescent signal as an indicator of the survival and growth of a T6SS-sensitive, GFP-expressing prey that has been co-cultured with mutants derived from a T6SS⁺ attacker of interest. Using BaCoF, we screened a random transposon insertion mutant library and identified genes required for V. parahaemolyticus T6SS1 activation, among them TfoY and Tmk. We used epistasis experiments to determine the relationships between the newly identified components and other regulators that were previously described. Thus, we present here a detailed biological understanding of the T6SS1 regulatory network.     

鲍曼不动杆菌VI型分泌系统溶血素-联合调节蛋白研究进展

鲍曼不动杆菌是一种革兰氏阴性的非发酵致病菌,在医院环境中广泛存在,并且已经成为医院获得性感染的重要病原体之一。近年来,由于抗菌药物的广泛应用,导致多重耐药鲍曼不动杆菌引起的感染和暴发流行,给临床治疗带来了极大的挑战。有研究表明,细菌Ⅵ型分泌系统与细菌的致病性相关。本文综述了鲍曼不动杆菌Ⅵ型分泌系统及主要功能蛋白(溶血素-联合调节蛋白)的研究进展,以期为进一步研究鲍曼不动杆菌的致病机制提供基础。     

鲍曼不动杆菌VI型分泌系统研究进展

鲍曼不动杆菌(Acinetobacter baumannii,AB)是一种临床常见的不动杆菌,属革兰阴性非发酵菌,其多重耐药性严重降低了治疗选择性,对全球的医疗系统造成极大威胁。VI型分泌系统(type VI secretion system,T6SS)是革兰阴性细菌中广泛存在的毒力系统,可通过直接接触将效应因子注入临近细菌导致其死亡,实现自我保护。T6SS在AB中高度保守,越来越多的证据表明,T6SS在AB感染致病过程中发挥着重要作用。现对AB T6SS的组成、功能、调控等方面的研究进展作一综述,为深入研究AB的致病及耐药机制提供依据,并为其防控提供参考。     

Structural basis for the secretion of EvpC: a key type VI secretion system protein from Edwardsiella tarda

The recently identified type VI secretion system (T6SS) is implicated in the virulence of many Gram-negative bacteria. Edwardsiella tarda is an important cause of hemorrhagic septicemia in fish and also gastro- and extra-intestinal infections in humans. The E . tarda virulent protein (EVP) gene cluster encodes a conserved T6SS which contains 16 open reading frames. EvpC is one of the three major EVP secreted proteins and shares high sequence similarity with Hcp1, a key T6SS virulence factor from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. EvpC contributes to the virulence of E. tarda by playing an essential role in functional T6SS. Here, we report the crystal structure of EvpC from E. tarda PPD130/91 at a 2.8 Å resolution, along with functional studies of the protein. EvpC has a β-barrel domain with extended loops. The β-barrel consists of 11 anti-parallel β-strands with an α-helix located on one side. In solution, EvpC exists as a dimer at low concentration and as a hexamer at higher concentration. In the crystal, the symmetry related EvpC molecules form hexameric rings which stack together to form a tube similar to Hcp1. Structure based mutagenesis revealed that N-terminal negatively charged residues, Asp4, Glu15 and Glu26, and C-terminal positively charged residues, Lys161, Lys162 and Lys163, played crucial roles in the secretion of EvpC. Moreover, the localization study indicates the presence of wild type EvpC in cytoplasm, periplasm and secreted fractions, whereas the N-terminal and C-terminal mutants were found mostly in the periplasmic region and was completely absent in the secreted fraction. Results reported here provide insight into the structure, assembly and function of EvpC. Further, these findings can be extended to other EvpC homologs for understanding the mechanism of T6SS and targeting T6SS mediated virulence in Gram-negative pathogens.     

Structure of a bacterial Rhs effector exported by the type VI secretion system

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread protein export apparatus found in Gram-negative bacteria. The majority of T6SSs deliver toxic effector proteins into competitor bacteria. Yet, the structure, function, and activation of many of these effectors remains poorly understood. Here, we present the structures of the T6SS effector RhsA from Pseudomonas protegens and its cognate T6SS spike protein, VgrG1, at 3.3 Å resolution. The structures reveal that the rearrangement hotspot (Rhs) repeats of RhsA assemble into a closed anticlockwise β-barrel spiral similar to that found in bacterial insecticidal Tc toxins and in metazoan teneurin proteins. We find that the C-terminal toxin domain of RhsA is autoproteolytically cleaved but remains inside the Rhs ‘cocoon’ where, with the exception of three ordered structural elements, most of the toxin is disordered. The N-terminal ‘plug’ domain is unique to T6SS Rhs proteins and resembles a champagne cork that seals the Rhs cocoon at one end while also mediating interactions with VgrG1. Interestingly, this domain is also autoproteolytically cleaved inside the cocoon but remains associated with it. We propose that mechanical force is required to remove the cleaved part of the plug, resulting in the release of the toxin domain as it is delivered into a susceptible bacterial cell by the T6SS.     

空肠弯曲菌Ⅵ型分泌系统研究进展

Ⅵ型分泌系统(Type Ⅵ Secretion System,T6SS)是一种倒置于细胞膜上的类噬菌体样结构,能够输送效应蛋白并在定殖和生态位建立中发挥作用.近年来,在空肠弯曲菌(Campylobacter jejuni)中发现了T6SS同源基因且能够表达组装成结构完整的T6SS,但T6SS对空肠弯曲菌的毒力影响尚不清...     

A type VI secretion system delivers a cell wall amidase to target bacterial competitors

The human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa harbors three paralogous zinc proteases annotated as AmpD, AmpDh2, and AmpDh3, which turn over the cell wall and cell wall-derived muropeptides. AmpD is cytoplasmic and plays a role in the recycling of cell wall muropeptides, with a link to antibiotic resistance. AmpDh2 is a periplasmic soluble enzyme with the former anchored to the inner leaflet of the outer membrane. We document, herein, that the type VI secretion system locus II (H2-T6SS) of P. aeruginosa delivers AmpDh3 (but not AmpD or AmpDh2) to the periplasm of a prey bacterium upon contact. AmpDh3 hydrolyzes the cell wall peptidoglycan of the prey bacterium, which leads to its killing, thereby providing a growth advantage for P. aeruginosa in bacterial competition. We also document that the periplasmic protein PA0808, heretofore of unknown function, affords self-protection from lysis by AmpDh3. Cognates of the AmpDh3-PA0808 pair are widely distributed across Gram-negative bacteria. Taken together, these findings underscore the importance of their function as an evolutionary advantage and that of the H2-T6SS as the means for the manifestation of the effect.     

Genetically distinct pathways guide effector export through the type VI secretion system

Bacterial secretion systems often employ molecular chaperones to recognize and facilitate export of their substrates. Recent work demonstrated that a secreted component of the type VI secretion system (T6SS), haemolysin co‐regulated protein (Hcp), binds directly to effectors, enhancing their stability in the bacterial cytoplasm. Herein, we describe a quantitative cellular proteomics screen for T6S substrates that exploits this chaperone‐like quality of Hcp. Application of this approach to the Hcp secretion island I‐encoded T6SS (H1‐T6SS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa led to the identification of a novel effector protein, termed Tse4 (t ype VI s ecretion e xported 4), subsequently shown to act as a potent intra‐specific H1‐T6SS‐delivered antibacterial toxin. Interestingly, our screen failed to identify two predicted H1‐T6SS effectors, Tse5 and Tse6, which differ from Hcp‐stabilized substrates by the presence of toxin‐associated PAAR‐repeat motifs and genetic linkage to members of the valine‐glycine repeat protein G (vgrG) genes. Genetic studies further distinguished these two groups of effectors: Hcp‐stabilized effectors were found to display redundancy in interbacterial competition with respect to the requirement for the two H1‐T6SS‐exported VgrG proteins, whereas Tse5 and Tse6 delivery strictly required a cognate VgrG. Together, we propose that interaction with either VgrG or Hcp defines distinct pathways for T6S effector export.     

细菌Ⅵ型分泌系统的调控与功能研究进展

Ⅵ型分泌系统(Type Ⅵ Secretion System,T6SS)是近年来研究较多的一种细菌分泌系统,广泛存在于革兰氏阴性菌中,在细菌的毒力、定殖、扩散及竞争遗传中发挥着重要的作用.本文综述了细菌T6SS的结构、调控以及生物学功能的最新研究进展,以期为基于T6SS的抗菌药物研制及细菌感染的诊断与防控提供新思路.