Identification of a conserved bacterial protein secretion system in Vibrio cholerae using the Dictyostelium host model system
Harvard University · Center for Human Genetics
Abstract
The bacterium Vibrio cholerae, like other human pathogens that reside in environmental reservoirs, survives predation by unicellular eukaryotes. Strains of the O1 and O139 serogroups cause cholera, whereas non-O1/non-O139 strains cause human infections through poorly defined mechanisms. Using Dictyostelium discoideum as a model host, we have identified a virulence mechanism in a non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae strain that involves extracellular translocation of proteins that lack N-terminal hydrophobic leader sequences. Accordingly, we have named these genes "VAS" genes for virulence-associated secretion, and we propose that these genes encode a prototypic "type VI" secretion system. We show that vas genes are…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 30.50
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 39
Authors
8- SPStefan Pukatzki
Harvard University, Center for Human Genetics
- ATAmy T.
Harvard University, Center for Human Genetics
- DSDerek Sturtevant
Harvard University, Center for Human Genetics
- BKBryan Krastins
Harvard University, Center for Human Genetics
- DSDavid Sarracino
Harvard University, Center for Human Genetics
Topics & keywords
- Vibrio cholerae
- Virulence
- Dictyostelium
- Biology
- Gene
- Microbiology
- Secretion
- Dictyostelium discoideum