Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2025

A Visual Assay to Monitor T6SS-mediated Bacterial Competition
Published on: March 20, 2013
Diversity of the type VI secretion systems in the Neisseria spp
Alan Calder1, Lori A S Snyder1
1School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK.
Abstract:
Complete Type VI Secretion Systems were identified in the genome sequence data of Neisseria subflava isolates sourced from throat swabs of human volunteers. The previous report was the first to describe two complete Type VI Secretion Systems in these isolates, both of which were distinct in terms of their gene organization and sequence homology. Since publication of the first report, Type VI Secretion System subtypes have been identified in Neisseria spp. The characteristics of each type in N. subflava are further investigated here and in the context of the other Neisseria spp., including identification of the lineages containing the different types and subtypes. Type VI Secretion Systems use VgrG for delivery of toxin effector proteins; several copies of vgrG and associated effector / immunity pairs are present in Neisseria spp. Based on sequence similarity between strains and species, these core Type VI Secretion System genes, vgrG, and effector / immunity genes may diversify via horizontal gene transfer, an instrument for gene acquisition and repair in Neisseria spp.
Related Concept Videos
Gram-negative Bacterial Protein Secretion Systems
Bacterial Translocation and Protein Secretion
CRISPR and crRNAs
The CRISPR-Cas system stores a copy of foreign DNA in the host genome and uses it to identify the foreign DNA upon reinfection. CRISPR-Cas has three different...
Bacterial Signaling
Bacterial Phylum Verrucomicrobiota
Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments

