细菌Ⅵ型分泌系统效应蛋白的装配及功能的研究进展

蛋白分泌作为细胞之间传递信号的途径之一,在微生物生存竞争中也扮演着重要的角色。革兰氏阴性菌可以通过Ⅵ型分泌系统(type Ⅵ secretion system, T6SS)将效应蛋白传递至胞外或原核和真核微生物中,从而介导微生物间的竞争或宿主-细菌的相互作用,最终建立竞争优势。本文主要总结了T6SS的结构与组成,并重点对效应蛋白的装配以及其与免疫蛋白的作用机制的研究进展进行阐述,为以后靶向T6SS抗菌药物的研制提供新思路。     

Architecture and assembly of the Type VI secretion system

The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) delivers protein effectors to diverse cell types including prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, therefore it participates in inter-bacterial competition and pathogenesis. The T6SS is constituted of an envelope-spanning complex anchoring a cytoplasmic tubular edifice. This tubular structure is evolutionarily, functionally and structurally related to the tail of contractile phages. It is composed of an inner tube tipped by a spike complex, and engulfed within a sheath-like structure. This structure assembles onto a platform called “baseplate” that is connected to the membrane sub-complex. The T6SS functions as a nano-crossbow: upon contraction of the sheath, the inner tube is propelled towards the target cell, allowing effector delivery. This review focuses on the architecture and biogenesis of this fascinating secretion machine, highlighting recent advances regarding the assembly of the membrane or tail complexes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Protein trafficking and secretion in bacteria. Guest Editors: Anastassios Economou and Ross Dalbey.     

Type VI secretion system effector proteins: Effective weapons for bacterial competitiveness

The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a protein translocation nanomachine widespread among Gram‐negative bacteria and used as a means to deliver effectors directly into target bacterial or eukaryotic cells. These effectors have a wide variety of functions within target cells that ultimately help the secreting cell gain a competitive fitness advantage. Here, we discuss the different ways in which these effectors can be delivered by the T6SS and the diverse mechanisms by which they exert their noxious action upon recipient cells. We also highlight the existence of roles for T6SS effectors beyond simply the killing of neighbouring cells.     

Deciphering the assembly of the Yersinia type III secretion injectisome

The assembly of the Yersinia enterocolitica type III secretion injectisome was investigated by grafting fluorescent proteins onto several components, YscC (outer‐membrane (OM) ring), YscD (forms the inner‐membrane (IM) ring together with YscJ), YscN (ATPase), and YscQ (putative C ring). The recombinant injectisomes were functional and appeared as fluorescent spots at the cell periphery. Epistasis experiments with the hybrid alleles in an array of injectisome mutants revealed a novel outside‐in assembly order: whereas YscC formed spots in the absence of any other structural protein, formation of YscD foci required YscC, but not YscJ. We therefore propose that the assembly starts with YscC and proceeds through the connector YscD to YscJ, which was further corroborated by co‐immunoprecipitation experiments. Completion of the membrane rings allowed the subsequent assembly of cytosolic components. YscN and YscQ attached synchronously, requiring each other, the interacting proteins YscK and YscL, but no further injectisome component for their assembly. These results show that assembly is initiated by the formation of the OM ring and progresses inwards to the IM ring and, finally, to a large cytosolic complex.     

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.     

The accessory protein TagV is required for full Type VI secretion system activity in Serratia marcescens

The bacterial Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a dynamic macromolecular structure that promotes inter- and intra-species competition through the delivery of toxic effector proteins into neighbouring cells. The T6SS contains 14 well-characterised core proteins necessary for effector delivery (TssA-M, PAAR). In this study, we have identified a novel accessory component required for optimal T6SS activity in the opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens, which we name TagV. Deletion of tagV, which encodes an outer membrane lipoprotein, caused a reduction in the T6SS-dependent antibacterial activity of S. marcescens Db10. Mutants of S. marcescens lacking the core component TssJ, a distinct outer membrane lipoprotein previously considered essential for T6SS firing, retained a modest T6SS activity that could be abolished through deletion of tagV. TagV did not interact with the T6SS membrane complex proteins TssL or TssM, but is proposed to bind to peptidoglycan, indicating that the mechanism by which TagV promotes T6SS firing differs from that of TssJ. Homologues of tagV were identified in several other bacterial genera, suggesting that the accessory function of TagV is not restricted to S. marcescens. Together, our findings support the existence of a second, TssJ-independent mechanism for T6SS firing that is dependent upon the activity of TagV proteins.     

Type VI secretion and bacteriophage tail tubes share a common assembly pathway

The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread macromolecular structure that delivers protein effectors to both eukaryotic and prokaryotic recipient cells. The current model describes the T6SS as an inverted phage tail composed of a sheath‐like structure wrapped around a tube assembled by stacked Hcp hexamers. Although recent progress has been made to understand T6SS sheath assembly and dynamics, there is no evidence that Hcp forms tubes in vivo. Here we show that Hcp interacts with TssB, a component of the T6SS sheath. Using a cysteine substitution approach, we demonstrate that Hcp hexamers assemble tubes in an ordered manner with a head‐to‐tail stacking that are used as a scaffold for polymerization of the TssB/C sheath‐like structure. Finally, we show that VgrG but not TssB/C controls the proper assembly of the Hcp tubular structure. These results highlight the conservation in the assembly mechanisms between the T6SS and the bacteriophage tail tube/sheath.     

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。     

Structure and assembly of type VI secretion system cargo delivery vehicle

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Type II secretion system: A magic beanstalk or a protein escalator

Type II protein secretion systems (T2SS) are molecular machines that promote specific transport of folded periplasmic proteins in Gram-negative bacteria, across a dedicated channel in the outer membrane. Secreted substrates, released to the milieu or displayed on the cell surface, contribute to bacterial adaptation to a range of habitats, from deep-sea waters to animal and plant tissues. The past decade has seen remarkable progress in structural, biochemical and functional analysis of T2SS and related systems, bringing new mechanistic insights into these dynamic complexes. This review focuses on recent advances in the field, and discusses open questions regarding the secretion mechanism. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Protein trafficking and secretion in bacteria. Guest Editors: Anastassios Economou and Ross Dalbey.     

霍乱弧菌Ⅵ型分泌系统的效应蛋白对细菌细胞壁的降解机制

【背景】肽聚糖(Peptidoglycan,PG)是细菌细胞壁的重要组成部分,而霍乱弧菌Ⅵ型分泌系统(Type Ⅵ Secretion System,T6SS)可以分泌具有肽聚糖水解酶活性的效应蛋白到受体细菌中杀死细胞,这类水解酶的作用机制尚未研究清楚。【目的】通过对细菌细胞壁的PG成分进行研究,建立细胞壁PG成分分析方法,并对霍乱弧菌T6SS分泌的2个破坏细胞壁的效应蛋白TseH和VgrG3的作用机制进行解析。【方法】使用显微镜观察TseH和VgrG3异位表达对宿主细菌生长的影响;纯化大肠杆菌细胞壁,使用透射电子显微镜(Transmission Electron Microscope,TEM)观察提纯的细胞壁形态;使用纯化的TseH和VgrG3分解消化PG,利用超高效液相色谱-飞行时间质谱(Ultra-Performance LiquidChromatography-Time-of-FlightMassSpectrometry,UPLC-TOFMS)分析鉴定消化后的产物成分;通过分析结果推导结构。【结果】通过透射电子显微镜观察,发现提纯的PG呈现半透明的薄膜泡状;通过UPLC-TOFMS的分析以及逆向推导,得到了提纯的PG被VgrG3水解酶降解之后的3种主要产物,分别是二糖二肽(Disaccharide,Di)、二糖三肽(Disaccharide Tripeptide,Tri)和二糖四肽(Disaccharide Tetrapeptide,Tetra)。【结论】建立了提纯PG和UPLC-TOFMS分析PG成分的方法,揭示了效应蛋白VgrG3而非TseH可以降解PG多糖链N-乙酰葡糖胺和N-乙酰胞壁酸之间的β(1-4)糖苷键的功能。由于攻击细胞壁的效应蛋白在革兰氏阴性细菌中广泛存在,本研究不仅为鉴定这类重要效应蛋白的功能提供了有效的方法,而且对研究靶向细胞壁的新型抗生素也有重要的指导作用。     

Type VI secretion system sheath inter‐subunit interactions modulate its contraction

Secretion systems are essential for bacteria to survive and manipulate their environment. The bacterial type VI secretion system (T6SS) generates the force needed for protein translocation by the contraction of a long polymer called sheath. The sheath is a six‐start helical assembly of interconnected VipA/VipB subunits. The mechanism of T6SS sheath contraction is unknown. Here, we show that elongating the N‐terminal VipA linker or eliminating charge of a specific VipB residue abolishes sheath contraction and delivery of effectors into target cells. Mass spectrometry analysis identified the inner tube protein Hcp, spike protein VgrG, and other components of the T6SS baseplate significantly enriched in samples of the stable non‐contractile sheaths. The ability to lock the T6SS in the pre‐firing state opens new possibilities for understanding its mode of action.     

Subcomplexes from the Xcp secretion system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

In Gram-negative bacteria, most of the sec-dependent exoproteins are secreted via the type II secretion system (T2SS or secreton). In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, T2SS consists of 12 Xcp proteins (XcpA and XcpP to XcpZ) organized as a multiproteic complex within the envelope. In this study, by a co-purification approach using a His-tagged XcpZ as a bait, XcpY and XcpZ were found associated together to constitute the most stable functional unit so far isolated from the P. aeruginosa secreton. This subcomplex was also found to interact with XcpR and XcpS to form a XcpRSYZ complex which was isolated under native conditions. Another component, XcpP was not found to be associated to the complex but the results suggest that it can transiently interact with the XcpYZ subcomplex in vivo.     

Subcellular localization of Type VI secretion system assembly in response to cell–cell contact

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.     

The hemolysin A secretion system is a multi-engine pump containing three ABC transporters

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Structure and dynamic association of an assembly platform subcomplex of the bacterial type II secretion system

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大肠杆菌Ⅲ型分泌系统2毒力岛研究进展

许多革兰氏阴性菌借助Ⅲ型分泌系统黏附在宿主细胞表面,然后跨越胞膜将特异性蛋白注入宿主细胞内,破坏宿主细胞内的多种信号通路,从而有利于细菌的感染及定殖。在肠致病性大肠杆菌(Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli,EPEC)中,除了肠细胞脱落位点(Locus of entericyte effacement,LEE)毒力岛编码的Ⅲ型分泌系统(Type Ⅲ secretion system,T3SS)外,在分析肠出血性大肠杆菌O157:H7的基因组序列时发现一个新的Ⅲ型分泌系统,大肠杆菌Ⅲ型分泌系统2(Escherichia coli type Ⅲ secretion system 2,ETT2)毒力岛。研究显示,ETT2可能在大多数菌株中不具有完整的分泌系统功能,但是其对于细菌毒力的发挥具有重要作用。因此,本文简要综述了大肠杆菌ETT2的基因特征、ETT2的分布与流行、ETT2的功能与机制等方面的主要研究进展。     

Cryo‐EM reconstruction of Type VI secretion system baseplate and sheath distal end

The bacterial Type VI secretion system (T6SS) assembles from three major parts: a membrane complex that spans inner and outer membranes, a baseplate, and a sheath–tube polymer. The baseplate assembles around a tip complex with associated effectors and connects to the membrane complex by TssK. The baseplate assembly initiates sheath–tube polymerization, which in some organisms requires TssA. Here, we analyzed both ends of isolated non‐contractile Vibrio cholerae sheaths by cryo‐electron microscopy. Our analysis suggests that the baseplate, solved to an average 8.0 Å resolution, is composed of six subunits of TssE/F₂/G and the baseplate periphery is decorated by six TssK trimers. The VgrG/PAAR tip complex in the center of the baseplate is surrounded by a cavity, which may accommodate up to ~450 kDa of effector proteins. The distal end of the sheath, resolved to an average 7.5 Å resolution, shows sixfold symmetry; however, its protein composition is unclear. Our structures provide an important step toward an atomic model of the complete T6SS assembly.