Identification of a Fifth Antibacterial Toxin Produced by a Single Bacteroides fragilis Strain.

ABSTRACT: Bacteroidales are the most abundant Gram-negative bacteria of the healthy human colonic microbiota, comprising nearly 50% of the colonic bacteria in many individuals. Numerous species and strains of gut Bacteroidales are present simultaneously at high concentrations in this ecosystem. Studies are revealing that gut Bacteroides has numerous antibacterial weapons to antagonize closely related members. In this study, we identify a new diffusible antibacterial toxin produced by Bacteroides fragilis 638R, designated BSAP-4. This is the fifth antibacterial toxin produced by this strain and the second toxin of this strain with a membrane attack complex/perforin domain (MACPF). We identify the target molecule of sensitive cells as a β-barrel outer membrane protein (OMP)

SUBMITTER: Shumaker AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6436352 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature