The Vibrio cholerae type VI secretion system employs diverse effector modules for intraspecific competition

Abstract

Vibrio cholerae is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that consists of over 200 serogroups with differing pathogenic potential. Only strains that express the virulence factors cholera toxin (CT) and toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) are capable of pandemic spread of cholera diarrhoea. Regardless, all V. cholerae strains sequenced to date harbour genes for the type VI secretion system (T6SS) that translocates effectors into neighbouring eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Here we report that the effectors encoded within these conserved gene clusters differ widely among V. cholerae strains, and that immunity proteins encoded immediately downstream from the effector genes protect their host from neighbouring bacteria producing corresponding effectors. As a consequence, strains with matching effector-immunity gene sets can coexist, while strains with different sets compete against each other. Thus, the V. cholerae T6SS contributes to the competitive behaviour of this species.

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Cited by papers we hold 7

• Diversification of the Type VI Secretion System in Agrobacteria · 2021
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• A modular effector with a DNase domain and a marker for T6SS substrates · 2019
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• Diversification of Type VI Secretion System Toxins Reveals Ancient Antagonism among Bee Gut Microbes · 2017
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• Killing by Type VI secretion drives genetic phase separation and correlates with increased cooperation · 2017
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• Vibrio cholerae Response Regulator VxrB Controls Colonization and Regulates the Type VI Secretion System. · 2015
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• Type VI secretion system: secretion by a contractile nanomachine · 2015
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• Molecular weaponry: diverse effectors delivered by the Type VI secretion system · 2015
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