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Effector loading onto the VgrG carrier activates type VI secretion system assembly
Author(s) -
Wu ChihFeng,
Lien YunWei,
Bondage Devanand,
Lin JerSheng,
Pilhofer Martin,
Shih YuLing,
Chang Jeff H,
Lai ErhMin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.15252/embr.201947961
Subject(s) - type vi secretion system , effector , agrobacterium tumefaciens , secretion , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , flagellum , bacteria , chemistry , virulence , genetics , biochemistry , gene , transgene
The type VI secretion system (T6 SS ) is used by many bacteria to engage in social behavior and can affect the health of its host plant or animal. Because activities associated with T6 SS s are often costly, T6 SS s must be tightly regulated. However, our knowledge regarding how T6 SS assembly and contraction are regulated remains limited. Using the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens , we show that effectors are not just passengers but also impact on T6 SS assembly. The A. tumefaciens strain C58 encodes one T6 SS and two Tde DN ase toxin effectors used as major weapons for interbacterial competition. Here, we demonstrate that loading of Tde effectors onto their cognate carriers, the VgrG spikes, is required for active T6 SS secretion. The assembly of the Tss BC contractile sheath occurs only in the presence of Tde effectors. The requirement of effector loading for efficient T6 SS secretion was also validated in other A. tumefaciens strains. We propose that such a mechanism is used by bacteria as a strategy for efficacious T6 SS firing and to ensure that effectors are loaded onto the T6 SS prior to completing its assembly.

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