Multiple T6SSs, Mobile Auxiliary Modules, and Effectors Revealed in a Systematic Analysis of the Vibrio parahaemolyticus Pan-Genome
Biswanath Jana, Kinga Keppel, Chaya Mushka Fridman, Eran Bosis, Dor Salomon
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria employ toxin delivery systems to mediate their interactions with neighboring cells. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, an emerging pathogen of humans and marine animals, was shown to deploy antibacterial toxins into competing bacteria via the type VI secretion system (T6SS). Here, we analyzed 1,727 V. parahaemolyticus genomes and revealed the pan-genome T6SS repertoire of this species, including the T6SS gene clusters, horizontally shared auxiliary modules, and toxins. We also identified a role for a previously uncharacterized domain, DUF4225, as a widespread antibacterial toxin associated with diverse toxin delivery systems.
Topics & Concepts
Type VI secretion systemEffectorVibrio parahaemolyticusBiologyGenomePeriplasmic spaceGeneHorizontal gene transferGeneticsVibrioComputational biologyMicrobiologyVirulenceBacteriaCell biologyEscherichia coliVibrio bacteria research studiesAquaculture disease management and microbiotaBacteriophages and microbial interactions