
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread molecular weapon deployed by many Proteobacteria to target effectors/toxins into both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. We report that Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a soil bacterium that triggers tumorigenesis in plants, produces a family of type VI DNase effectors (Tde) that are distinct from previously known polymorphic toxins and nucleases. Tde exhibits an antibacterial DNase activity that relies on a conserved HxxD motif and can be counteracted by a cognate immunity protein, Tdi. In vitro, A. tumefaciens T6SS could kill Escherichia coli but triggered a lethal counterattack by Pseudomonas aeruginosa upon injection of the Tde toxins. However, in an in planta coinfection assay, A. tumefaciens used Tde effectors to attack both siblings cells and P. aeruginosa to ultimately gain a competitive advantage. Such acquired T6SS-dependent fitness in vivo and conservation of Tde-Tdi couples in bacteria highlights a widespread antibacterial weapon beneficial for niche colonization.
Nicotiana, BIOFILMS, 570, Cancer Research, Virulence Factors, Immunology, VIBRIO-CHOLERAE, IMMUNITY, Microbiology, Article, 1108 Medical Microbiology, Virology, Immunology and Microbiology(all), Tobacco, Antibiosis, Escherichia coli, Molecular Biology, Bacterial Secretion Systems, 580, Science & Technology, Deoxyribonucleases, IDENTIFICATION, GENE, Anti-Bacterial Agents, ICMF FAMILY PROTEIN, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, TARGET-CELLS, Parasitology, TN-SEQ, PSEUDOMONAS, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, SYSTEM, 0605 Microbiology
Nicotiana, BIOFILMS, 570, Cancer Research, Virulence Factors, Immunology, VIBRIO-CHOLERAE, IMMUNITY, Microbiology, Article, 1108 Medical Microbiology, Virology, Immunology and Microbiology(all), Tobacco, Antibiosis, Escherichia coli, Molecular Biology, Bacterial Secretion Systems, 580, Science & Technology, Deoxyribonucleases, IDENTIFICATION, GENE, Anti-Bacterial Agents, ICMF FAMILY PROTEIN, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, TARGET-CELLS, Parasitology, TN-SEQ, PSEUDOMONAS, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, SYSTEM, 0605 Microbiology
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 315 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 1% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% |
