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

Daniel Unterweger, Sarah T. Miyata, Verena Bachmann, Teresa M. Brooks, Travis Mullins, Benjamin Kostiuk, Daniele Provenzano () and Stefan Pukatzki ()
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Daniel Unterweger: University of Alberta
Sarah T. Miyata: University of Alberta
Verena Bachmann: University of Alberta
Teresa M. Brooks: University of Alberta
Travis Mullins: University of Alberta
Benjamin Kostiuk: University of Alberta
Daniele Provenzano: University of Texas Brownsville
Stefan Pukatzki: University of Alberta

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4549

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