Type V Secretion in Gram-Negative Bacteria

SUMMARY Gram-negative bacteria possess an outer membrane layer which constrains uptake and secretion of solutes and polypeptides. To overcome this barrier, bacteria have developed several systems for protein secretion. The type V secretion pathway encompasses the autotransporter proteins, the two-partner secretion system, and the recently described type Vc or AT-2 family of proteins. Since its discovery in the late 1980s, this family of secreted proteins has expanded continuously, due largely to the advent of the genomic age, to become the largest group of secreted proteins in gram-negative bacteria. Several of these proteins play essential roles in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections and have been characterized in detail, demonstrating a diverse array of function including the ability to condense host cell actin and to modulate apoptosis. However, most of the autotransporter proteins remain to be characterized. In light of new discoveries and controversies in this research field, this review considers the autotransporter secretion process in the context of the more general field of bacterial protein translocation and exoprotein function.

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A Novel Autotransporter Adhesin Is Required for Efficient Colonization during Bubonic Plague

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.01206-08 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 77 (1) ◽

pp. 317-326 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Matthew B. Lawrenz ◽

Jonathan D. Lenz ◽

Virginia L. Miller

Keyword(s):

Secretion System ◽

Mammalian Host ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Defect Analysis ◽

Wild Type ◽

Adhesive Properties ◽

Inoculation Site ◽

Type V Secretion ◽

Type V ◽

Draining Lymph Nodes

ABSTRACT Many proteins secreted by the type V secretion system (autotransporters) have been linked to virulence in gram-negative bacteria. Several putative conventional autotransporters are present in the Yersinia pestis genome, but only one, YapE, is conserved in the other pathogenic Yersinia species. Here, we introduce YapE and demonstrate that it is secreted via a type V mechanism. Inactivation of yapE in Y. pestis results in decreased efficiency in colonization of tissues during bubonic infection. Coinfection with wild-type bacteria only partially compensates for this defect. Analysis of the host immune response suggests that YapE is required for either efficient colonization at the inoculation site or dissemination to draining lymph nodes. YapE also demonstrates adhesive properties capable of mediating interactions with bacteria and eukaryotic cells. These findings support a role for YapE in modulating host-pathogen interactions that are important for colonization of the mammalian host.

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Type V secretion: mechanism(s) of autotransport through the bacterial outer membrane

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2011.0208 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 367 (1592) ◽

pp. 1088-1101 ◽

Cited By ~ 137

Author(s):

Jack C. Leo ◽

Iwan Grin ◽

Dirk Linke

Keyword(s):

Outer Membrane ◽

Polypeptide Chain ◽

Transmembrane Domain ◽

Bacterial Virulence ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Secretion Systems ◽

Bacterial Outer Membrane ◽

Type V Secretion ◽

Type V ◽

Special Case

Autotransport in Gram-negative bacteria denotes the ability of surface-localized proteins to cross the outer membrane (OM) autonomously. Autotransporters perform this task with the help of a β-barrel transmembrane domain localized in the OM. Different classes of autotransporters have been investigated in detail in recent years; classical monomeric but also trimeric autotransporters comprise many important bacterial virulence factors. So do the two-partner secretion systems, which are a special case as the transported protein resides on a different polypeptide chain than the transporter. Despite the great interest in these proteins, the exact mechanism of the transport process remains elusive. Moreover, different periplasmic and OM factors have been identified that play a role in the translocation, making the term ‘autotransport’ debatable. In this review, we compile the wealth of details known on the mechanism of single autotransporters from different classes and organisms, and put them into a bigger perspective. We also discuss recently discovered or rediscovered classes of autotransporters.

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Structural comparison of the transport units of type V secretion systems

Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1515/hsz-2013-0162 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 394 (11) ◽

pp. 1385-1398 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Iris Gawarzewski ◽

Sander H.J. Smits ◽

Lutz Schmitt ◽

Joachim Jose

Keyword(s):

Outer Membrane ◽

Crystal Structure Analysis ◽

Type I ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Secretion Systems ◽

X Ray ◽

Outer Membranes ◽

One Step ◽

Type V Secretion ◽

Type V

Abstract Pathogenic gram-negative bacteria have evolved several secretion mechanisms to translocate adhesins, enzymes, toxins, and other virulence factors across the inner and outer membranes. Currently, eight different secretion systems, type I–type VIII (T1SS–T8SS) plus the chaperone-usher (CU) pathway, have been identified, which act in one-step or two-step mechanisms to traverse both membrane barriers. The type V secretion system (T5SS) is dependent first on the Sec translocon within the inner membrane. The periplasmic intermediates are then secreted through aqueous pores formed by β-barrels in the outer membrane. Until now, transport across the outer membrane has not been understood on a molecular level. With respect to special characteristics revealed by crystal structure analysis, bioinformatic and biochemical data, five subgroups of T5SS were defined. Here, we compare the transport moieties of members of four subgroups based on X-ray crystal structures. For the fifth subgroup, which was identified only recently, no structures have thus far been reported. We also discuss different models for the translocation process across the outer membrane with respect to recent findings.

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Bacterial-Mucosal Cell Junctional Complexes

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100050731 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 32 ◽

pp. 144-145

Author(s):

Roger C. Wagner

Keyword(s):

Intestinal Wall ◽

Rat Colon ◽

Mucosal Cell ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Mucosal Cells ◽

Mucosal Lining ◽

Degenerative Alterations ◽

Junctional Complexes ◽

Intestinal Mucosal Cells

Bacteria exhibit the ability to adhere to the apical surfaces of intestinal mucosal cells. These attachments either precede invasion of the intestinal wall by the bacteria with accompanying inflammation and degeneration of the mucosa or represent permanent anchoring sites where the bacteria never totally penetrate the mucosal cells.Endemic gram negative bacteria were found attached to the surface of mucosal cells lining the walls of crypts in the rat colon. The bacteria did not intrude deeper than 0.5 urn into the mucosal cells and no degenerative alterations were detectable in the mucosal lining.

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Rapid demonstration of septic or infectious arthritis due to Gram-negative bacteria

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100123830 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 686-687

Author(s):

Jacob S. Hanker ◽

Paul R. Gross ◽

Beverly L. Giammara

Keyword(s):

Chronic Arthritis ◽

Blood Cultures ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Infectious Arthritis ◽

Bacterial Arthritis ◽

Gram Positive ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria

Blood cultures are positive in approximately only 50 per cent of the patients with nongonococcal bacterial infectious arthritis and about 20 per cent of those with gonococcal arthritis. But the concept that gram-negative bacteria could be involved even in chronic arthritis is well-supported. Gram stains are more definitive in staphylococcal arthritis caused by gram-positive bacteria than in bacterial arthritis due to gram-negative bacteria. In the latter situation where gram-negative bacilli are the problem, Gram stains are helpful for 50% of the patients; they are only helpful for 25% of the patients, however, where gram-negative gonococci are the problem. In arthritis due to gram-positive Staphylococci. Gramstained smears are positive for 75% of the patients.

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