title: MIX and match: mobile T6SS MIX-effectors enhance bacterial fitness.
abstract: Protein secretion systems that mediate interbacterial competition secret a wide repertoire of antibacterial toxins. A major player in these competitions is the newly discovered bacterial type VI secretion system (T6SS). We recently found that a subset of polymorphic MIX-effectors, which are a widespread class of effectors secreted by T6SSs, are horizontally shared between marine bacteria and are used to diversify their T6SS effector repertoires, thus enhancing their environmental fitness. In this commentary, I expand on the ideas that were introduced in the previous report, and further speculate on the possible mobility of other MIX-effectors. In addition, I discuss the possible role of horizontal gene transfer in the dissemination of MIX-effectors through bacterial genomes, as well as its possible role in diversifying the T6SS effector repertoire.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Dor
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Salomon
keywords: MIX-effectors; T6SS; environmental fitness; interbacterial competition; toxin