Type VI secretion: a beginner's guide.
Type VI secretion is a newly described mechanism for protein transport across the cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria. Components that have been partially characterised include an IcmF homologue, the ATPase ClpV, a regulatory FHA domain protein and the secreted VgrG and Hcp proteins. Type VI secretion is clearly a key virulence factor for some important pathogenic bacteria and has been implicated in the translocation of a potential effector protein into eukaryotic cells by at least one organism (Vibrio cholerae). However, type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are widespread in nature and not confined to known pathogens. In accordance with the general rule that the expression of protein secretion systems is tightly regulated, expression of type VI secretion is controlled at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.
Bingle
Lewis Eh
LE
Centre for Systems Biology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. l.e.bingle@bham.ac.uk
Bailey
Christopher M
CM
Pallen
Mark J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny; D021381:Protein Transport; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors