Et tu, Vibrio cholerae? Kin-cannibalism and a bacterial secretion system.

Gophna, Uri · Cell · 2022

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Type VI secretion systems are molecular syringes used by Gram-negative bacteria to kill heterospecific (non-kin) niche competitors. In this issue of Cell, Mashruwala et al. show that colonies of the pathogen Vibrio cholera can also exhibit T6SS-mediated cell killing of kin cells and that this process benefits emerging resistant mutants, thereby increasing genetic diversity.

Medical subject headings