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Role of distinct type-IV-secretion systems and secreted effector sets in host adaptation by pathogenic Bartonella species.

Type of publication Peer-reviewed
Publikationsform Original article (peer-reviewed)
Author Wagner Alexander, Dehio Christoph,
Project Bacterial Type IV Secretion (T4S): Cellular, Molecular, and Evolutionary Basis of the Subversion of Host Cell Functions by Translocated Effector Proteins
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Original article (peer-reviewed)

Journal Cellular microbiology
Volume (Issue) 21(3)
Page(s) e13004
Title of proceedings Cellular microbiology
DOI 10.1111/cmi.13004

Open Access

URL https://edoc.unibas.ch/69452/
Type of Open Access Repository (Green Open Access)

Abstract

The α-proteobacterial genus Bartonella comprises a large number of facultative intracellular pathogens that share a common lifestyle hallmarked by hemotrophic infection and arthropod transmission. Speciation in the four deep-branching lineages (L1-L4) occurred by host adaptation facilitating the establishment of long lasting bacteraemia in specific mammalian reservoir host(s). Two distinct type-IV-secretion systems (T4SSs) acquired horizontally by different Bartonella lineages mediate essential host interactions during infection and represent key innovations for host adaptation. The Trw-T4SS confined to the species-rich L4 mediates host-specific erythrocyte infection and likely has functionally replaced flagella as ancestral virulence factors implicated in erythrocyte colonisation by bartonellae of the other lineages. The VirB/VirD4-T4SS translocates Bartonella effector proteins (Bep) into various host cell types to modulate diverse cellular and innate immune functions involved in systemic spreading of bacteria following intradermal inoculation. Independent acquisition of the virB/virD4/bep locus by L1, L3, and L4 was likely driven by arthropod vectors associated with intradermal inoculation of bacteria rather than facilitating direct access to blood. Subsequently, adaptation to colonise specific niches in the new host has shaped the evolution of complex species-specific Bep repertoires. This diversification of the virulence factor repertoire of Bartonella spp. represents a remarkable example for parallel evolution of host adaptation.
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