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The Vibrio cholerae type VI secretion system: toxins, regulators and consequences
Author(s) -
Crisan Cristian V.,
Hammer Brian K.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/1462-2920.14976
Subject(s) - vibrio cholerae , type vi secretion system , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , secretion , cholera toxin , bacteria , quorum sensing , effector , cholera , virulence , gene , biofilm , genetics , biochemistry
Summary 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.