The type VI secretion system deploys antifungal effectors against microbial competitors

Nat Microbiol. 2018 Aug;3(8):920-931. doi: 10.1038/s41564-018-0191-x. Epub 2018 Jul 23.

Abstract

Interactions between bacterial and fungal cells shape many polymicrobial communities. Bacteria elaborate diverse strategies to interact and compete with other organisms, including the deployment of protein secretion systems. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) delivers toxic effector proteins into host eukaryotic cells and competitor bacterial cells, but, surprisingly, T6SS-delivered effectors targeting fungal cells have not been reported. Here we show that the 'antibacterial' T6SS of Serratia marcescens can act against fungal cells, including pathogenic Candida species, and identify the previously undescribed effector proteins responsible. These antifungal effectors, Tfe1 and Tfe2, have distinct impacts on the target cell, but both can ultimately cause fungal cell death. 'In competition' proteomics analysis revealed that T6SS-mediated delivery of Tfe2 disrupts nutrient uptake and amino acid metabolism in fungal cells, and leads to the induction of autophagy. Intoxication by Tfe1, in contrast, causes a loss of plasma membrane potential. Our findings extend the repertoire of the T6SS and suggest that antifungal T6SSs represent widespread and important determinants of the outcome of bacterial-fungal interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / metabolism
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Autophagy
  • Candida / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Microbial Viability / drug effects
  • Proteomics
  • Serratia marcescens / metabolism*
  • Type VI Secretion Systems / metabolism
  • Type VI Secretion Systems / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Type VI Secretion Systems