Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2025

A Visual Assay to Monitor T6SS-mediated Bacterial Competition
Published on: March 20, 2013
Gamma-Mobile-Trio systems are mobile elements rich in bacterial defensive and offensive tools
Tridib Mahata1, Katarzyna Kanarek1, Moran G Goren1
1Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Abstract:
The evolutionary arms race between bacteria and phages led to the emergence of bacterial immune systems whose diversity and dynamics remain poorly understood. Here we use comparative genomics to describe a widespread genetic element, defined by the presence of the Gamma-Mobile-Trio (GMT) proteins, that serves as a reservoir of offensive and defensive tools. We demonstrate, using Vibrio parahaemolyticus as a model, that GMT-containing genomic islands are active mobile elements. Furthermore, we show that GMT islands' cargoes contain various anti-phage defence systems, antibacterial type VI secretion system (T6SS) effectors and antibiotic-resistance genes. We reveal four anti-phage defence systems encoded within GMT islands and further characterize one system, GAPS1, showing it is triggered by a phage capsid protein to induce cell dormancy. Our findings underscore the need to broaden the concept of 'defence islands' to include defensive and offensive tools, as both share the same mobile elements for dissemination.
More Related Videos
11:50Bacterial Leaf Infiltration Assay for Fine Characterization of Plant Defense Responses using the Arabidopsis thaliana-Pseudomonas syringae Pathosystem
Published on: October 1, 2015
10:41Conjugative Mating Assays for Sequence-specific Analysis of Transfer Proteins Involved in Bacterial Conjugation
Published on: January 4, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Gram-negative Bacterial Protein Secretion Systems
Bacterial Signaling
Chemotaxis in E. coli
Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments
Global Regulatory Systems