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Poly-immunity arrays associated with Rhs toxins confer wide protection against competitors.

Julius Martinkus1, Nadège Ginibre-Supersac2, Nicolas Rivard1

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Bacteria use polymorphic toxins for competition. This study reveals conserved immunity genes in Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus that neutralize toxins, protecting against bacterial fratricide and promoting horizontal gene transfer via novel Xer passenger cassettes (XPCs).

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PhotorhabdusRhs toxinsXenorhabdusbacterial toxinscontact inhibitionmobile elementsorphan immunity proteinspoly-immunity arraystype VI secretion system

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Bacterial genomes face intense competition, driving evolution through mechanisms like polymorphic toxins.
  • Polymorphic toxins are hypervariable proteins with diverse toxic activities, crucial for bacterial interactions.
  • These toxins are typically paired with specific immunity proteins to prevent self-destruction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of immunity genes in bacterial defense against polymorphic toxins.
  • To understand the evolutionary dynamics of toxin-immunity systems in Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus.
  • To identify novel genetic elements involved in the diversification and dissemination of polymorphic toxins.

Main Methods:

  • Genomic analysis of Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus spp.
  • Identification and characterization of clustered immunity genes.
  • Expression analysis of immunity genes under steady-state conditions.
  • Investigation of genetic elements associated with Rhs and CDI toxins.

Main Results:

  • Extensive arrays of clustered immunity genes were found in Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus, neutralizing type VI secretion system (T6SS) Rhs toxins.
  • Immunity genes, derived from ancient toxin-immunity pairs, are conserved, emphasizing their protective function.
  • Many immunity genes are expressed constitutively, indicating a constant state of defense.
  • Novel genetic elements, Xer passenger cassettes (XPCs), were identified, associated with Rhs and CDI toxins.

Conclusions:

  • Conserved immunity genes play a critical role in protecting bacteria against toxins from closely related species.
  • The conservation of immunity components highlights their essential role in bacterial survival and inter-species competition.
  • Xer passenger cassettes (XPCs) may facilitate the diversification and horizontal transfer of polymorphic toxin systems, including Rhs and CDI toxins.