Modular Molecular Weaponry Plays a Key Role in Competition Within an Environmental Vibrio cholerae Population.

ABSTRACT: The type VI secretion system (T6SS) operons of Vibrio cholerae contain extraordinarily diverse arrays of toxic effector and cognate immunity genes, which are thought to play an important role in the environmental lifestyle and adaptation of this human pathogen. Through the T6SS, proteinaceous "spears" tipped with antibacterial effectors are injected into adjacent cells, killing those not possessing immunity proteins to these effectors. Here, we investigate the T6SS-mediated dynamics of bacterial competition within a single environmental population of V. cholerae. We show that numerous members of a North American V. cholerae population possess strain-specific repertoires of cytotoxic T6SS effector and immunity genes. Using pairwise competition assays, we demonstrate tha

SUBMITTER: Hussain NAS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8189183 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature