<p><i>Pseudomonas putida</i> is a plant-beneficial rhizobacterium that encodes multiple type-VI secretion systems (T6SS) to outcompete phytopathogens in the rhizosphere. Among its antibacterial effectors, Tke5 (a member of the BTH_I2691 protein family) is a potent pore-forming toxin that disrupts ion homeostasis without causing considerable membrane damage. Tke5 harbours an N-terminal MIX domain, which is required for T6SS-dependent secretion in other systems. Many MIX domain-containing effectors require T6SS adaptor proteins (Tap) for secretion, but their molecular mechanisms of adaptor-effector binding remain elusive. Here, we report the 2.8 Å cryo-EM structure of the Tap3-Tke5 complex of <i>P. putida</i> strain KT2440, providing structural and functional insights into how effector Tke5 is recruited by its cognate adaptor protein Tap3. Functional dissection shows that the α-helical region of Tke5 is sufficient to kill intoxicated bacteria, while its β-rich region likely contributes to target membrane specificity. These findings delineate a mechanism of BTH_I2691 proteins for Tap recruitment and toxin activity, contributing to our understanding of a widespread yet understudied toxin family.</p>

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Structural insights into the antibacterial function of the Pseudomonas putida effector Tke5

  • Carmen Velázquez,
  • Maialen Zabala-Zearreta,
  • Carmen Paredes,
  • Cristina Civantos,
  • Jon Altuna-Alvarez,
  • Patricia Bernal,
  • David Albesa-Jové

摘要

Pseudomonas putida is a plant-beneficial rhizobacterium that encodes multiple type-VI secretion systems (T6SS) to outcompete phytopathogens in the rhizosphere. Among its antibacterial effectors, Tke5 (a member of the BTH_I2691 protein family) is a potent pore-forming toxin that disrupts ion homeostasis without causing considerable membrane damage. Tke5 harbours an N-terminal MIX domain, which is required for T6SS-dependent secretion in other systems. Many MIX domain-containing effectors require T6SS adaptor proteins (Tap) for secretion, but their molecular mechanisms of adaptor-effector binding remain elusive. Here, we report the 2.8 Å cryo-EM structure of the Tap3-Tke5 complex of P. putida strain KT2440, providing structural and functional insights into how effector Tke5 is recruited by its cognate adaptor protein Tap3. Functional dissection shows that the α-helical region of Tke5 is sufficient to kill intoxicated bacteria, while its β-rich region likely contributes to target membrane specificity. These findings delineate a mechanism of BTH_I2691 proteins for Tap recruitment and toxin activity, contributing to our understanding of a widespread yet understudied toxin family.