Research progress in the regulatory factors of the bacteria type VI secretion system

Abstract:

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) of bacteria is a newly discovered secretion system. It plays an important role in the adhesion and invasion of bacteria pathogens to their host and destruction of their host. Currently, most studies focused on the functions of T6SS in bacteria pathogenesis, bacterial competition, et al, but the research on its regulatory factors is still in the preliminary stage. For most bacteria, the expression of T6SS is not steady, which could be regulated by environmental factors such as temperature, osmotic pressure, antibiotics and ions. At the molecular level, H-NS protein, RpoN transcription factor and c-di-GMP may also help regulate T6SS. Under the regulation of these multiple factors, the expression of T6SS can be on and off so as to better adapt to the environment. Hence, it is very important to understand comprehensively the regulatory factors of T6SS to fully understand the pathogenicity of bacteria. This review summarizes the environmental factors and regulatory factors that regulate T6SS.