Project description:Most bacteria are in fierce competition with other species for limited nutrients. Some bacteria can kill nearby cells by secreting bacteriocins, a diverse group of proteinaceous antimicrobials. However, bacteriocins are typically freely diffusible, and so of little value to planktonic cells in aqueous environments. Here, we identify an atypical two-protein bacteriocin in the gamma-proteobacterium Caulobacter crescentus that is retained on the surface of producer cells where it mediates cell contact-dependent killing. The bacteriocin-like proteins CdzC and CdzD harbor glycine-zipper motifs, often found in amyloids, and CdzC forms large, insoluble aggregates on the surface of producer cells. These aggregates can drive contact-dependent killing of other organisms, or Caulobacter cells not producing the CdzIE immunity protein. The Cdz system uses a type I secretion system and is unrelated to previously described contact-dependent inhibition systems. However, Cdz-like systems are found in many bacteria, suggesting that this form of contact-dependent inhibition is common.
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE25996: Expression data from Caulobacter crescentus starved for carbon GSE25997: Expression data from Caulobacter crescentus (syn. C. vibrioides) swarmer and stalked cells starved for carbon GSE25998: Expression data from WT, DSigT and DSigU Caulobacter crescentus (syn. C. vibrioides) starved for carbon Refer to individual Series