High temperatures increase the virulence of Vibrio bacteria towards their coral host and competing bacteria via type VI secretion systems
Weiquan Wang, Kaihao Tang, Xiaoxue Wang
Abstract
The bacterial pathogen Vibrio coralliilyticus induces severe coral diseases in warming oceans. A study in PLOS Biology reveals that high temperatures activate 2 type VI secretion systems in V. coralliilyticus, enhancing pathogenicity by deploying toxic effectors against competing bacteria and coral cells.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyVirulenceHost (biology)BacteriaMicrobiologySecretionCoralVibrioPathogenic bacteriaZoologyEcologyGeneticsGeneBiochemistryVibrio bacteria research studiesCoral and Marine Ecosystems StudiesAquaculture disease management and microbiota