A Pseudomonas aeruginosa endolytic muramidase targets cell-wall peptidoglycan in bacterial competition.

ABSTRACT: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that frequently resides in multispecies communities. During chronic infections, P. aeruginosa employs a diverse arsenal of antibacterial weapons to compete with other bacteria for resources and space. Using genetic and biochemical approaches, we identified a type VI secretion system-dependent antibacterial effector-immunity pair, PseM (P. aeruginosa secreted endolytic muramidase) and PA0990 in P. aeruginosa. Our findings demonstrate that PseM functions as an endolytic muramidase, targeting prey bacteria by hydrolytically cleaving cell-wall peptidoglycan, whereas its immunity partner PA0990 provides self-protection. The X-ray crystal structure of PseM reveals a homodimeric configuration, with its active site formed by segments from both mo

SUBMITTER: Wang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12494544 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature