title: VgrG, Tae, Tle, and beyond: the versatile arsenal of Type VI secretion effectors.
abstract: The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a macromolecular machine that delivers protein effectors into both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, therefore participating in interbacterial competition and virulence. The T6SS is functionally and structurally similar to the contractile bacteriophage cell puncturing device: the contraction of a sheath-like structure is believed to propel an inner tube terminated by a spike towards target cells, allowing the delivery of effectors. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the identification and characterization of T6SS effector proteins, highlighting the broad repertoire of enzymatic activities, and discuss recent findings relating to the secretion mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS UMR7255, Aix-Marseille Université, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France; Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, CNRS UMR7257, Aix-Marseille Université, Campus de Luminy, Case 932, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Durand
authors.affiliation: Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, CNRS UMR7257, Aix-Marseille Université, Campus de Luminy, Case 932, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cambillau
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS UMR7255, Aix-Marseille Université, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France. Electronic address: cascales@imm.cnrs.fr.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cascales
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, CNRS UMR7255, Aix-Marseille Université, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France. Electronic address: ljournet@imm.cnrs.fr.
authors.forename: Laure
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Journet
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D058947:Bacterial Secretion Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001692:Biological Transport; D056265:Microbial Interactions; D008958:Models, Molecular; D014774:Virulence; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D058947:Bacterial Secretion Systems; D037521:Virulence Factors
keywords: actin cross-linking; amidase; phospholipase; protein secretion; toxins