Bacterial secretion articles within Nature Communications

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  • Article
    | Open Access

    The type VI secretion system (T6SS) of Gram-negative bacteria is typically anchored to the cell envelope through a membrane complex (MC), but Bacteroidota appear to lack genes encoding canonical MC components. Here, Bongiovanni et al. identify the Bacteroidota MC and study its biogenesis and connections with the conserved T6SS components.

    • Thibault R. Bongiovanni
    • , Casey J. Latario
    •  & Eric Durand

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Here Garrett et al. describe a toxin, TslA, secreted by type VII secretion system that has a reverse domain arrangement compared to other previously characterised substrates. The authors show that TslA is a lipase with antibacterial activity.

    • Stephen R. Garrett
    • , Nicole Mietrach
    •  & Tracy Palmer

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bacteria use the type VI secretion system (T6SS) to deliver toxic effectors into bacterial or eukaryotic cells. Here, Kanarek et al. identify a protein domain, RIX, that defines a class of polymorphic T6SS effectors with antibacterial and anti-eukaryotic toxic domains, and that enables T6SS-mediated delivery of other effectors.

    • Katarzyna Kanarek
    • , Chaya Mushka Fridman
    •  & Dor Salomon

  • Article
    | Open Access

    In this work the authors investigate two types of secretins in Escherichia coli, GspDα and GspDβ, and report the Cryo-ET in situ structures of their key intermediate states of during the translocation process. Yielding a resolution ranging from 9 Å to 19 Å, the structures allow the identification of different membrane interaction patterns and ways of transitioning the peptidoglycan layer. These results suggest two distinct models for the membrane translocation of GspDα and GspDβ and provide insights into the inner to outer membrane biogenesis of T2SS secretins.

    • Zhili Yu
    • , Yaoming Wu
    •  & Zhao Wang

  • Comment
    | Open Access

    The type three secretion system (T3SS) is a membrane-anchored nano-machine utilized by many pathogenic bacteria to inject effector proteins and thus take control of host cells. In a recent article, Kaval et al. reveal a striking colocalization of a T3SS-encoding locus, its transcriptional activators, protein products, and the complete structure at the cell membrane, which they claim provides evidence for a mechanism known as ‘transertion’.

    • Itzhak Fishov
    •  & Sharanya Namboodiri

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bacteria can affect cellular processes in other bacteria and in eukaryotic cells by injecting effectors using a type VI secretion system (T6SS). Here, Sá-Pessoa et al. describe how a T6SS effector from the bacterial pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae triggers the fragmentation of the mitochondrial network in eukaryotic cells.

    • Joana Sá-Pessoa
    • , Sara López-Montesino
    •  & José A. Bengoechea

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The bacterium Brucella abortus is an intracellular pathogen that modulates autophagy in host cells. Here, the authors identify two B. abortus effectors that interact with host protease SENP3, thus promoting cytoplasmic accumulation of nucleolar proteins associated with ribosomal biogenesis and facilitating intracellular replication of the pathogen

    • Arthur Louche
    • , Amandine Blanco
    •  & Suzana P. Salcedo

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bacteria can deliver toxic effector proteins into the cytosol of neighboring cells. Here, the authors show that Yersinia pseudotuberculosis secretes an effector that modulates gene expression in neighboring cells of the same species and inhibits the growth of other competitors.

    • Dandan Wang
    • , Lingfang Zhu
    •  & Xihui Shen

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bacterial responses to nutrient limitation and other stress conditions are often modulated by the nucleotide-based second messenger (p)ppGpp. Here, the authors show that (p)ppGpp inhibits the SRP membrane-protein insertion and secretion pathway by binding to GTPases Ffh and FtsY.

    • Laura Czech
    • , Christopher-Nils Mais
    •  & Gert Bange

  • Article
    | Open Access

    DNA transfer between two bacterial cells is mediated by the conjugative type 4 secretion systems (T4SSs). Here, the authors report the structure of a complete T4SS outer-membrane core complex (OMCC), revealing distinct C17 and C13 symmetries of its central inner and peripheral outer ring regions, respectively.

    • Himani Amin
    • , Aravindan Ilangovan
    •  & Tiago R. D. Costa

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The tuberculosis necrotizing toxin (TNT) is the major cytotoxicity factor of M. tuberculosis (Mtb). Mtb possesses five type VII secretion systems (ESX). Pajuelo et al. show that the ESX-4 system is required for TNT secretion and that ESX-2 and ESX-4 systems work in concert with ESX-1 to permeabilize the phagosomal membrane and enable trafficking of TNT into the cytoplasm of macrophages infected with Mtb.

    • David Pajuelo
    • , Uday Tak
    •  & Michael Niederweis

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The pathogen Staphylococcus aureus releases several pore-forming toxins, termed leukocidins, that kill immune cells. Here, Zheng et al. show that the retention of a leukocidin on bacterial cells and its release are modulated by lipoteichoic acid and a membrane lipid, which also control the sorting of other surface-associated proteins.

    • Xuhui Zheng
    • , Gerben Marsman
    •  & Victor J. Torres

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Many bacterial pathogens use a type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject effector proteins into host cells. Here, Wimmi et al. show that the external pH regulates the assembly of T3SS cytosolic components in intestinal pathogens, thus preventing T3SS activity in the stomach and allowing T3SS reactivation in the intestine.

    • Stephan Wimmi
    • , Alexander Balinovic
    •  & Andreas Diepold

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Virulent type III secretion systems (T3SSs) or injectisomes enable pathogenic bacteria to inject effector proteins directly into the host cell cytoplasm. Structures of a needle complex engaged with the effector protein reveal the complete secretion channel and provide insights into the mechanism of substrate translocation through T3SSs.

    • Sean Miletic
    • , Dirk Fahrenkamp
    •  & Thomas C. Marlovits

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bacteria can use type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) to inject toxic effector proteins into adjacent cells, in a contact-dependent manner. Here, the authors provide evidence of contact-independent killing by a T6SS effector that is secreted into the extracellular milieu and then taken up by other bacterial cells.

    • Li Song
    • , Junfeng Pan
    •  & Xihui Shen

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Tuberculosis necrotizing toxin (TNT) is secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis to kill host cells. Here, Tak, Dokland and Niederweis show that proteins EsxE and EsxF form membrane-spanning hetero-oligomeric pores that are important for TNT secretion.

    • Uday Tak
    • , Terje Dokland
    •  & Michael Niederweis

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Vibrio cholerae uses a type VI secretion system (T6SS) to kill neighbouring competitors. Here, Santoriello et al. show that a T6SS gene cluster (Aux3) exists as a mobile, prophage-like element in some environmental strains, and as a stable truncated form in pandemic isolates. They propose that Aux3 acquisition increased competitive fitness of pre-pandemic V. cholerae.

    • Francis J. Santoriello
    • , Lina Michel
    •  & Stefan Pukatzki

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Game theory has contributed much to the understanding of social evolution. In an elegant combination of experimental tests and modelling, this study suggests that when bacteria face intense competition, repeated retaliation outcompetes a single tit-for-tat response to attack.

    • William P. J. Smith
    • , Maj Brodmann
    •  & Kevin R. Foster

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Gram-negative bacteria deliver effectors via the type VI secretion system (T6SS) to outcompete their rivals. Here, Fridman et al. present an approach to identify T6SS effectors encoded in bacterial genomes without prior knowledge of their domain content or genetic neighbourhood, and identify a new family of membrane-disrupting effectors.

    • Chaya M. Fridman
    • , Kinga Keppel
    •  & Dor Salomon

  • Article
    | Open Access

    A major component of bacterial biofilms is curli amyloid fibrils secreted by the curli biogenesis system. Here authors use cryo-EM to visualize the secretion channel complexes (CsgF-CsgG) with and without the curli substrate and provide insights into curli biogenesis.

    • Zhaofeng Yan
    • , Meng Yin
    •  & Xueming Li

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are used by bacteria to inject toxic effector proteins into neighbouring cells. Here, Mariano et al. show that an antibacterial effector from Serratia marcescens forms cation-selective pores that lead to inner-membrane depolarisation and increased outer-membrane permeability.

    • Giuseppina Mariano
    • , Katharina Trunk
    •  & Sarah J. Coulthurst

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bacterial type II secretion systems (T2SSs) translocate virulence factors, toxins and enzymes across the cell outer membrane. Here, Chernyatina and Low use negative stain and cryo-electron microscopy to reveal the core architecture of an assembled T2SS from the pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae.

    • Anastasia A. Chernyatina
    •  & Harry H. Low

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bacterial type IV pilus-like systems catalyse the formation of pilin fibres but it is unknown how they are powered. Here, the authors present crystal and cryo-EM structures of the hexameric motor ATPases PilB and PilT from Type IVa Pilus that reveal different conformational states, classify the conformations of all PilT-like ATPase structures and propose a model for PilT function.

    • Matthew McCallum
    • , Samir Benlekbir
    •  & P. Lynne Howell

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) confer resistance to carbapenem antibiotics. Here, López et al. show that the host range of MBLs depends on the efficiency of MBL signal peptide processing and secretion into outer membrane vesicles, which affects bacterial fitness.

    • Carolina López
    • , Juan A. Ayala
    •  & Alejandro J. Vila

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bacteria deliver toxic effectors via type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) to dominate competitors. Here, the authors identify a Vibrio antibacterial effector that contains a new DNase toxin domain and a domain of unknown function that can be used as a marker to identify new T6SS effectors.

    • Biswanath Jana
    • , Chaya M. Fridman
    •  & Dor Salomon

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) are important for bacterial interaction, competition and virulence, but the abundance and assembly of their components is still not well understood. Here, the authors apply targeted proteomics to measure the abundance of T6SS components across different species and conditions.

    • Lin Lin
    • , Emmanuelle Lezan
    •  & Marek Basler

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bacteria use contractile injection systems, such as type VI secretion systems (T6SS), to secrete proteins that mediate cell-cell interactions. Here, Szwedziak & Pilhofer show that both ends of a T6SS can attach to opposite sides of the cell, enabling the structure to contract in two opposite directions.

    • Piotr Szwedziak
    •  & Martin Pilhofer

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) translocate effector proteins into eukaryotic and bacterial recipient cells and are present in many Gram-negative bacteria. Here the authors present the 3.7 Å cryoEM structure of the E.coli T6SS baseplate wedge comprising TssK–TssF–TssG and propose a model for the T6SS baseplate and needle complex.

    • Young-Jun Park
    • , Kaitlyn D. Lacourse
    •  & David Veesler

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The soybean Rj2 gene encodes a TIR-NBS-LRR protein that confers resistance to nodulation by certain rhizobial strains. Here, the authors show that T3SS effector NopP is an avirulence protein that is necessary for Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA 122 to trigger Rj2-dependent incompatibility.

    • Masayuki Sugawara
    • , Satoko Takahashi
    •  & Kiwamu Minamisawa

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bacterial populations communicate with AI-2 signaling molecules, helping to coordinate biofilm development and other group behaviors. Here the authors design a genetic circuit for mammalian cells that allows them to sense bacterial populations and interfere with quorum communication.

    • Ferdinand Sedlmayer
    • , Dennis Hell
    •  & Martin Fussenegger

  • Article
    | Open Access

    No structural data for the bacterial type IX secretion system (T9SS) are available so far. Here, the authors present the crystal structures of the periplasmic domains from two major T9SS components PorM and GldM, which span most of the periplasmic space, and propose a putative model of the T9SS core membrane complex.

    • Philippe Leone
    • , Jennifer Roche
    •  & Alain Roussel

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Many Gram-negative bacteria secrete exopolysaccharides via functionally homologous synthase-dependent systems. Here the authors use electron microscopy to reveal that biofilm-promoting cellulose in E. coli is secreted by a conserved multi-component secretion system with a megadalton-sized asymmetric architecture.

    • Petya Violinova Krasteva
    • , Joaquin Bernal-Bayard
    •  & Jean-Marc Ghigo

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Some bacteria can feed on live fungi through unclear mechanisms. Here, the authors show that a T3SS-secreted protein, which is homologous to phage tail proteins, allows a Burkholderia gladioli strain to kill and feed on various fungal species.

    • Durga Madhab Swain
    • , Sunil Kumar Yadav
    •  & Gopaljee Jha

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Cooperative behaviour among individuals provides a collective benefit, but is considered costly. Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model system, the authors show that secretion of the siderophore pyoverdine only incurs a fitness cost and favours cheating when its building blocks carbon or nitrogen are growth-limiting.

    • D. Joseph Sexton
    •  & Martin Schuster

  • Article
    | Open Access

    MTBVAC, a live attenuatedMycobacterium tuberculosisvaccine under clinical evaluation, contains the major tuberculosis antigens ESAT6 and CFP10, which are absent from the current vaccine, BCG. Here, the authors show that these antigens contribute to enhanced vaccine efficacy in mouse models.

    • Nacho Aguilo
    • , Jesus Gonzalo-Asensio
    •  & Carlos Martin

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The bacterial Type VI secretion system (T6SS) delivers proteins into target cells using fast contraction of a long sheath anchored to the cell envelope. Here, Vettigeret al. study sheath dynamics in Vibrio choleraespheroplasts, and show that the sheath assembles by addition of subunits at the distal end.

    • Andrea Vettiger
    • , Julius Winter
    •  & Marek Basler

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