Droplet Tn-Seq identifies the primary secretion mechanism for yersiniabactin in Yersinia pestis.
EMBO Rep
; 24(10): e57369, 2023 10 09.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37501563
ABSTRACT
Nutritional immunity includes sequestration of transition metals from invading pathogens. Yersinia pestis overcomes nutritional immunity by secreting yersiniabactin to acquire iron and zinc during infection. While the mechanisms for yersiniabactin synthesis and import are well-defined, those responsible for yersiniabactin secretion are unknown. Identification of this mechanism has been difficult because conventional mutagenesis approaches are unable to inhibit trans-complementation by secreted factors between mutants. To overcome this obstacle, we utilized a technique called droplet Tn-seq (dTn-seq), which uses microfluidics to isolate individual transposon mutants in oil droplets, eliminating trans-complementation between bacteria. Using this approach, we first demonstrated the applicability of dTn-seq to identify genes with secreted functions. We then applied dTn-seq to identify an AcrAB efflux system as required for growth in metal-limited conditions. Finally, we showed this efflux system is the primary yersiniabactin secretion mechanism and required for virulence during bubonic and pneumonic plague. Together, these studies have revealed the yersiniabactin secretion mechanism that has eluded researchers for over 30 years and identified a potential therapeutic target for bacteria that use yersiniabactin for metal acquisition.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Plague
/
Yersinia pestis
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
EMBO Rep
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
Year:
2023
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States