Causalities of war: The connection between type VI secretion system and microbiota.
Cell Microbiol
; 22(3): e13153, 2020 03.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31872954
ABSTRACT
Microbiota niches have space and/or nutrient restrictions, which has led to the coevolution of cooperation, specialisation, and competition within the population. Different animal and environmental niches contain defined resident microbiota that tend to be stable over time and offer protection against undesired intruders. Yet fluxes can occur, which alter the composition of a bacterial population. In humans, the microbiota are now considered a key contributor to maintenance of health and homeostasis, and its alteration leads to dysbiosis. The bacterial type VI secretion system (T6SS) transports proteins into the environment, directly into host cells or can function as an antibacterial weapon by killing surrounding competitors. Upon contact with neighbouring cells, the T6SS fires, delivering a payload of effector proteins. In the absence of an immunity protein, this results in growth inhibition or death of prey leading to a competitive advantage for the attacker. It is becoming apparent that the T6SS has a role in modulating and shaping the microbiota at multiple levels, which is the focus of this review. Discussed here is the T6SS, its role in competition, key examples of its effect upon the microbiota, and future avenues of research.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Microbiota
/
Type VI Secretion Systems
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Cell Microbiol
Journal subject:
MICROBIOLOGIA
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Reino Unido