The Second Type VI Secretion System of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain PAO1 Is Regulated by Quorum Sensing and Fur and Modulates Internalization in Epithelial Cells
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Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The genome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 contains three type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) called H1-, H2-, and H3-T6SS. The H1-T6SS secretes three identified toxins that target other bacteria, providing a fitness advantage for P. aeruginosa, and likely contributes to bacterial pathogenesis in chronic infections. However, no specific substrates or defined roles have been described for the two other systems. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of H2-T6SS genes of strain PAO1 is up-regulated during the transition from exponential to stationary phase growth and regulated by the Las and Rhl quorum sensing systems. In addition, we identify two putative Fur boxes in the promoter region and find that H2-T6SS transcription is negatively regulated by iron. We also show that the H2-T6SS system enhances bacterial uptake into HeLa cells (75% decrease in internalization with a H2-T6SS mutant) and into lung epithelial cells through a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent pathway that induces Akt activation in the host cell (50% decrease in Akt phosphorylation). Finally, we show that H2-T6SS plays a role in P. aeruginosa virulence in the worm model. Thus, in contrast to H1-T6SS, H2-T6SS modulates interaction with eukaryotic host cells. Together, T6SS can carry out different functions that may be important in establishing chronic P. aeruginosa infections in the human host.
Date Issued
2012-06-04
Date Acceptance
2012-06-04
Citation
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2012, 287 (32), pp.27095-27105
ISSN
1083-351X
Publisher
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Start Page
27095
End Page
27105
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Biological Chemistry
Volume
287
Issue
32
Copyright Statement
This article is available under a CC BY NC license.
License URL
Sponsor
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Grant Number
G0800171
Subjects
Base Sequence
DNA, Bacterial
Endocytosis
Epithelial Cells
Genes, Bacterial
HeLa Cells
Humans
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Quorum Sensing
Hela Cells
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
06 Biological Sciences
11 Medical And Health Sciences
03 Chemical Sciences
Publication Status
Published