The regulation of bacterial two-partner secretion systems

Two-partner secretion (TPS) systems, also known as Type Vb secretion systems, allow the translocation of effector proteins across the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. By secreting different classes of effectors, including cytolysins and adhesins, TPS systems play important roles in bacterial pathogenesis and host interactions. Here, we review the current knowledge on TPS systems regulation and highlight specific and common regulatory mechanisms across TPS functional classes. We discuss in detail the specific regulatory networks identified in various bacterial species and emphasize the importance of understanding the context-dependent regulation of TPS systems. Several regulatory cues reflecting host environment during infection, such as temperature and iron availability, are common determinants of expression for TPS systems, even across relatively distant species. These common regulatory pathways often affect TPS systems across subfamilies with different effector functions, representing conserved global infection-related regulatory mechanisms.

Automated summary

Two-partner secretion (TPS) systems, also known as Type Vb secretion systems, are important for the translocation of effector proteins in Gram-negative bacteria. They play a crucial role in bacterial pathogenesis and host interactions by secreting different classes of effectors. This review highlights the regulation of TPS systems and the common regulatory mechanisms across different bacterial species. Understanding the context-dependent regulation of TPS systems is essential, as common regulatory cues during infection affect TPS systems across distant species, representing conserved global infection-related regulatory mechanisms.