Pseudomonas aeruginosa T6SS-mediated molybdate transport contributes to bacterial competition during anaerobiosis
Tietao Wang,
Xiao Du,
Linxuan Ji,
Yuying Han,
Jing Dang,
Jing Wen,
Yarong Wang,
Qinqin Pu,
Min Wu,
Haihua Liang
Affiliations
Tietao Wang
Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, ShaanXi 710069, China
Xiao Du
Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, ShaanXi 710069, China
Linxuan Ji
Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, ShaanXi 710069, China
Yuying Han
Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, ShaanXi 710069, China
Jing Dang
Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, ShaanXi 710069, China
Jing Wen
Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, ShaanXi 710069, China
Yarong Wang
Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, ShaanXi 710069, China
Qinqin Pu
Department of Basic Science, School of Medicine and Health Science, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58203, USA
Min Wu
Department of Basic Science, School of Medicine and Health Science, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58203, USA
Haihua Liang
Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, ShaanXi 710069, China; Corresponding author
Summary: Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is widely distributed in Gram-negative bacteria and functions as a versatile protein export machinery that translocates effectors into eukaryotic or prokaryotic target cells. Growing evidence indicates that T6SS can deliver several effectors to promote bacterial survival in harmful environments through metal ion acquisition. Here, we report that the Pseudomonas aeruginosa H2-T6SS mediates molybdate (MoO42−) acquisition by secretion of a molybdate-binding protein, ModA. The expression of H2-T6SS genes is activated by the master regulator Anr and anaerobiosis. We also identified a ModA-binding protein, IcmP, an insulin-cleaving metalloproteinase outer membrane protein. The T6SS-ModA-IcmP system provides P. aeruginosa with a growth advantage in bacterial competition under anaerobic conditions and plays an important role in bacterial virulence. Overall, this study clarifies the role of T6SS in secretion of an anion-binding protein, emphasizing the fundamental importance of this bacterium using T6SS-mediated molybdate uptake to adapt to complex environmental conditions.
