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Comment
. 2024 Sep 4;22(9):e3002788.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002788. eCollection 2024 Sep.

High temperatures increase the virulence of Vibrio bacteria towards their coral host and competing bacteria via type VI secretion systems

Weiquan Wang  1 , Kaihao Tang  1   2 , Xiaoxue Wang  1   2
Affiliations
Comment

High temperatures increase the virulence of Vibrio bacteria towards their coral host and competing bacteria via type VI secretion systems

Weiquan Wang et al. PLoS Biol. .

Abstract

The bacterial pathogen Vibrio coralliilyticus induces severe coral diseases in warming oceans. A study in PLOS Biology reveals that high temperatures activate 2 type VI secretion systems in V. coralliilyticus, enhancing pathogenicity by deploying toxic effectors against competing bacteria and coral cells.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Schematic depicting interactions between coral pathogen, cohabiting bacteria, and coral host.
Activation of 2 T6SS systems at elevated ocean temperatures enhances V. coralliilyticus pathogenic potential by secreting antibacterial effectors to kill bacterial competitors and secreting anti-eukaryotic effectors.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

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