Mechanistic insights into the T6SS of multi-drug-resistant <i>Aeromonas hydrophila</i> and its role in competition and pathogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Aeromonas hydrophila, an opportunistic pathogen, often encodes Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) genes. However, the specific functions of T6SS, particularly in the context of clinical strains, remain poorly understood. In this study, we characterize a multi-drug-resistant strain, AH54, which possesses a complete and functional T6SS, composed of a structural cluster and two homologous auxiliary clusters (Aux1 and Aux2). Each auxiliary cluster encodes two distinct effector proteins: a rearrangement hotspot (Rhs) protein and a proline-alanine-arginine repeat (PAAR) protein-Rhs1/PAAR1 in Aux1 and Rhs2/PAAR2 in Aux2. Our findings reveal that AH54 assembles a fully operational T6SS capable of delivering these effectors, driving inter-bacterial antagonism. Interestingly, the T6SS activity i

SUBMITTER: Wang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12396204 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature