Bacterial type VI secretion apparatus

A contractile bacterial secretion nanomachine assembled from an envelope-spanning membrane complex, a cytoplasmic baseplate, an Hcp tube surrounded by a TssBC sheath, a VgrG puncturing tip, and the ClpV ATPase that recycles contracted sheath. Cargo effectors, cognate immunity proteins, cargo-specific adapters, and global transcriptional regulation are outside this conserved structural boundary.

MODULE:bacterial_type_vi_secretion_apparatusDRAFTBiological Processmodules/bacterial_type_vi_secretion_apparatus.yaml

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103 type VI protein secretion system complexGO:0033104

GO:0033103

protein secretion by the type VI secretion system

GO process represented by the assembled apparatus.

GO:0033104

type VI protein secretion system complex

GO cellular-component term represented by the assembled structural subunits.

PMID:36748579

Transcriptional organization and regulation of the Pseudomonas putida K1 type VI secretion system gene cluster.

Figure 2a presents the KT2440 K1 structural- and vgrG-operon maps; the accompanying text experimentally establishes their transcriptional organization and distinguishes the structural apparatus from adapters, effectors, and immunity proteins.

file:projects/P_PUTIDA/deep-research/PSEPK__bacterial_type_vi_secretion_apparatus__ppu03070-deep-research-openscientist.md

OpenScientist PSEPK ppu03070 type VI secretion satisfiability review

The species/pathway/taxon report confirms that the K1 apparatus satisfies the reusable core and separates it from the other secretion systems in the broad ppu03070 bucket. Its proposed PP_3090/PP_3091 split-TssM interpretation is not adopted because direct locus and architecture evidence identify PP_3090 as the TagP1 accessory and PP_3091 as TssM1.

PMID:26200339

Biogenesis and structure of a type VI secretion membrane core complex.

Establishes the TssJLM trans-envelope membrane-complex architecture.

PMID:26460929

The Type VI Secretion TssEFGK-VgrG Phage-Like Baseplate Is Recruited to the TssJLM Membrane Complex via Multiple Contacts and Serves As Assembly Platform for Tail Tube/Sheath Polymerization.

Establishes the membrane-complex, baseplate/spike, and tail assembly hierarchy and the TssEFGK-VgrG interaction network.

PMID:28947741

Cryo-EM structure of the extended type VI secretion system sheath-tube complex.

Resolves the extended TssBC sheath around the Hcp tube and its contraction-coupled remodeling.

PMID:23289512

ClpV recycles VipA/VipB tubules and prevents non-productive tubule formation to ensure efficient type VI protein secretion.

Establishes the ATPase-dependent recycling role of ClpV after sheath contraction.

The conserved apparatus boundary contains TssJLM, TssEFGK, TssA, Hcp/TssD, TssBC, VgrG, and ClpV/TssH. System-specific stabilizers, post-translational regulators, adapters, cargo effectors, and immunity proteins are excluded. The PSEPK K1 realization, including its TagP1, TagB1, and TagF1 accessories, is documented in the corresponding project batch rather than encoded as a universal property of this module.

6Nodes

5Parts

0Variant Sets

0Variants

13Annotons

4Connections

Derived QC

Recommended-field compliance

100.0% recommended fields populated

All recommended fields populated.

Module deep research

✗ none found

No MODULE:bacterial_type_vi_secretion_apparatus deep-research report alongside the module YAML.

Leaf nodes lacking representative members

✓ every leaf node grounds to a representative protein.

Template conformance

✓ every declared conforms_to bundle matches its template motif.

Function consistency and core coverage

13 gene-function check(s) reflected in core functions · 0 conflict(s) · 26 evidence or coverage gap(s) (39 comparison(s))

Retained noncore functions are reported separately; they do not require promotion to core functions. Support from representative genes does not establish conservation across the whole family. Missing reviews or identifiers leave a claim unverified.

Annoton	Participant	Function	Assessment
tssj_outer_membrane_anchor	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssJ1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I752 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Review Missing No ai-review exists for this protein; its function and core-function coverage cannot yet be checked.
tssj_outer_membrane_anchor	PSEPK K1 TssJ1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88IA5 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
tssl_inner_membrane_anchor	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssL1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I754 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Review Missing No ai-review exists for this protein; its function and core-function coverage cannot yet be checked.
tssl_inner_membrane_anchor	PSEPK K1 TssL1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88IA7 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
tssm_transenvelope_component	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssM1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I755 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Review Missing No ai-review exists for this protein; its function and core-function coverage cannot yet be checked.
tssm_transenvelope_component	PSEPK K1 TssM1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88IA8 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
tsse_baseplate_subunit	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssE1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I745 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Review Missing No ai-review exists for this protein; its function and core-function coverage cannot yet be checked.
tsse_baseplate_subunit	PSEPK K1 TssE1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88IA1 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
tssf_baseplate_subunit	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssF1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I744 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Review Missing No ai-review exists for this protein; its function and core-function coverage cannot yet be checked.
tssf_baseplate_subunit	PSEPK K1 TssF1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88IA2 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
tssg_baseplate_subunit	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssG1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I743 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Review Missing No ai-review exists for this protein; its function and core-function coverage cannot yet be checked.
tssg_baseplate_subunit	PSEPK K1 TssG1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88IA3 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
tssk_baseplate_connector	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssK1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I753 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Review Missing No ai-review exists for this protein; its function and core-function coverage cannot yet be checked.
tssk_baseplate_connector	PSEPK K1 TssK1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88IA6 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
vgrg_tip_component	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 H1-T6SS VgrG1a exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I741 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Function Unreviewed No retained annotation or core molecular function supports this GO assertion. Missing or broader evidence is a coverage gap, not proof the activity is absent.
vgrg_tip_component	PSEPK K1 VgrG1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88I93 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
tssa_assembly_coordinator	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssA1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I750 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Review Missing No ai-review exists for this protein; its function and core-function coverage cannot yet be checked.
tssa_assembly_coordinator	PSEPK K1 TssA1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88IB1 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
hcp_inner_tube	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Hcp1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I747 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Review Missing No ai-review exists for this protein; its function and core-function coverage cannot yet be checked.
hcp_inner_tube	PSEPK K1 Hcp1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88IB0 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
tssb_sheath_subunit	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssB1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I749 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Review Missing No ai-review exists for this protein; its function and core-function coverage cannot yet be checked.
tssb_sheath_subunit	PSEPK K1 TssB1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88I99 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
tssc_sheath_subunit	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssC1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I748 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Review Missing No ai-review exists for this protein; its function and core-function coverage cannot yet be checked.
tssc_sheath_subunit	PSEPK K1 TssC1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88IA0 Family Representative	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
clpv_sheath_disassembly_atpase	Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 ClpV1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q9I742 Family Representative	ATP hydrolysis activity GO:0016887	Review Missing No ai-review exists for this protein; its function and core-function coverage cannot yet be checked.
clpv_sheath_disassembly_atpase	PSEPK K1 ClpV1 exemplar UniProtKB:Q88IA4 Family Representative	ATP hydrolysis activity GO:0016887	Core Supported The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
tssj_outer_membrane_anchor	TssJ family InterPro:IPR017734 Family	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR017734.
tssl_inner_membrane_anchor	TssL family InterPro:IPR017732 Family	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR017732.
tssm_transenvelope_component	TssM family InterPro:IPR048677 Family	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR048677.
tsse_baseplate_subunit	TssE family InterPro:IPR017737 Family	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR017737.
tssf_baseplate_subunit	TssF family InterPro:IPR010272 Family	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR010272.
tssg_baseplate_subunit	TssG family InterPro:IPR010732 Family	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR010732.
tssk_baseplate_connector	TssK family InterPro:IPR010263 Family	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR010263.
vgrg_tip_component	VgrG family InterPro:IPR006533 Family	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR006533.
tssa_assembly_coordinator	TssA family InterPro:IPR017740 Family	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR017740.
hcp_inner_tube	Hcp/TssD family InterPro:IPR008514 Family	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR008514.
tssb_sheath_subunit	TssB family InterPro:IPR008312 Family	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR008312.
tssc_sheath_subunit	TssC family InterPro:IPR010269 Family	structural molecule activity GO:0005198	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR010269.
clpv_sheath_disassembly_atpase	ClpV family InterPro:IPR017729 Family	ATP hydrolysis activity GO:0016887	Family Review Missing No supported structured family review is available for InterPro:IPR017729.

Gene-review completeness (14/26 grounded genes reviewed)

14 complete review(s) · 0 with deep research · 12 missing review · 14 reviewed but lacking deep research

Gene	Review	Complete	Deep research
clpV Q88IA4	✓	✓	✗
PP_3088 Q88IB1	✓	✓	✗
PP_3089 Q88IB0	✓	✓	✗
PP_3091 Q88IA8	✓	✓	✗
PP_3092 Q88IA7	✓	✓	✗
PP_3093 Q88IA6	✓	✓	✗
PP_3094 Q88IA5	✓	✓	✗
PP_3096 Q88IA3	✓	✓	✗
PP_3097 Q88IA2	✓	✓	✗
PP_3098 Q88IA1	✓	✓	✗
PP_3100 Q88I99	✓	✓	✗
PP_3106 Q88I93	✓	✓	✗
puuD Q88IA0	✓	✓	✗
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 ClpV1 exemplar Q9I742	✗	—	—
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssG1 exemplar Q9I743	✗	—	—
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssF1 exemplar Q9I744	✗	—	—
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssE1 exemplar Q9I745	✗	—	—
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Hcp1 exemplar Q9I747	✗	—	—
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssC1 exemplar Q9I748	✗	—	—
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssB1 exemplar Q9I749	✗	—	—
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssA1 exemplar Q9I750	✗	—	—
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssJ1 exemplar Q9I752	✗	—	—
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssK1 exemplar Q9I753	✗	—	—
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssL1 exemplar Q9I754	✗	—	—
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssM1 exemplar Q9I755	✗	—	—
vgrG1a Q9I741	✓	✓	✗

Tree

Bacterial type VI secretion apparatusBiological Processbacterial_type_vi_secretion_apparatus

Parts
1. 1. Envelope-spanning membrane complex
2. TssJLM membrane complexProtein Complext6ss_membrane_complex
  
  Annotons
  - TssJ outer-membrane lipoprotein Family: TssJ family
  - TssL inner-membrane component Family: TssL family
  - TssM trans-envelope component Family: TssM family
3. 2. Baseplate assembly
4. TssEFGK baseplateProtein Complext6ss_baseplate
  
  Annotons
  - TssE baseplate subunit Family: TssE family
  - TssF baseplate subunit Family: TssF family
  - TssG baseplate subunit Family: TssG family
  - TssK baseplate connector Family: TssK family
5. 3. Puncturing tip
6. VgrG puncturing tipProtein Complext6ss_vgrg_tip
  
  Annotons
  - VgrG tip component Family: VgrG family
7. 4. Contractile tube and sheath assembly
8. Hcp tube and TssBC sheathProtein Complext6ss_contractile_tail
  
  Annotons
  - TssA assembly coordinator Family: TssA family
  - Hcp inner-tube subunit Family: Hcp/TssD family
  - TssB sheath subunit Family: TssB family
  - TssC sheath subunit Family: TssC family
9. 5. Contracted-sheath recycling
10. ClpV-dependent sheath recyclingReactiont6ss_sheath_recycling
  
  Annotons
  - ClpV sheath-disassembly ATPase Family: ClpV family

Details

Context

bacteriaNCBITaxon:2

Bacterial type VI secretion apparatusBiological Processbacterial_type_vi_secretion_apparatus

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103 type VI protein secretion system complexGO:0033104

Context

bacteriaNCBITaxon:2

Connections

t6ss_membrane_complex -> t6ss_baseplate Provides Input For

t6ss_baseplate -> t6ss_vgrg_tip Provides Input For

t6ss_vgrg_tip -> t6ss_contractile_tail Provides Input For

t6ss_contractile_tail -> t6ss_sheath_recycling Provides Input For

Part 1: Envelope-spanning membrane complex

TssJLM membrane complexProtein Complext6ss_membrane_complex

TssJ, TssL, and TssM anchor the apparatus across the cell envelope.

Annotons

TssJ outer-membrane lipoprotein

tssj_outer_membrane_anchor

Participant: Family: TssJ family

Family:

TssJ familyInterPro:IPR017734

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssJ1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I752 PSEPK K1 TssJ1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88IA5

Function

structural molecule activityGO:0005198

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Outer-membrane lipoprotein component of the membrane complex.

TssL inner-membrane component

tssl_inner_membrane_anchor

Participant: Family: TssL family

Family:

TssL familyInterPro:IPR017732

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssL1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I754 PSEPK K1 TssL1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88IA7

Function

structural molecule activityGO:0005198

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Inner-membrane component linking the membrane complex to the baseplate.

TssM trans-envelope component

tssm_transenvelope_component

Participant: Family: TssM family

Family:

TssM familyInterPro:IPR048677 The discriminating TssM1 helical-region signature is used together with the full-length multi-pass membrane architecture and TssM locus context. A broad TssM-like hit alone does not distinguish full-length TssM from TagP-like accessories.

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssM1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I755 PSEPK K1 TssM1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88IA8

Function

structural molecule activityGO:0005198

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Large inner-membrane protein completing the trans-envelope complex.

Part 2: Baseplate assembly

TssEFGK baseplateProtein Complext6ss_baseplate

TssE, TssF, TssG, and TssK form the cytoplasmic assembly platform.

Annotons

TssE baseplate subunit

tsse_baseplate_subunit

Participant: Family: TssE family

Family:

TssE familyInterPro:IPR017737

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssE1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I745 PSEPK K1 TssE1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88IA1

Function

structural molecule activityGO:0005198

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Phage gp25-like baseplate component.

TssF baseplate subunit

tssf_baseplate_subunit

Participant: Family: TssF family

Family:

TssF familyInterPro:IPR010272

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssF1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I744 PSEPK K1 TssF1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88IA2

Function

structural molecule activityGO:0005198

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Structural baseplate component.

TssG baseplate subunit

tssg_baseplate_subunit

Participant: Family: TssG family

Family:

TssG familyInterPro:IPR010732

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssG1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I743 PSEPK K1 TssG1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88IA3

Function

structural molecule activityGO:0005198

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Structural baseplate component.

TssK baseplate connector

tssk_baseplate_connector

Participant: Family: TssK family

Family:

TssK familyInterPro:IPR010263

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssK1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I753 PSEPK K1 TssK1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88IA6

Function

structural molecule activityGO:0005198

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Connects the baseplate to the membrane complex.

Part 3: Puncturing tip

VgrG puncturing tipProtein Complext6ss_vgrg_tip

A VgrG spike caps the Hcp tube and provides an effector-delivery interface.

Annotons

VgrG tip component

vgrg_tip_component

Participant: Family: VgrG family

Family:

VgrG familyInterPro:IPR006533

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 H1-T6SS VgrG1a exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I741 PSEPK K1 VgrG1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88I93

Function

structural molecule activityGO:0005198

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Conserved expelled spike at the end of the Hcp tube.

Part 4: Contractile tube and sheath assembly

Hcp tube and TssBC sheathProtein Complext6ss_contractile_tail

TssA coordinates extension of the Hcp tube within a contractile TssBC sheath.

Annotons

TssA assembly coordinator

tssa_assembly_coordinator

Participant: Family: TssA family

Family:

TssA familyInterPro:IPR017740

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssA1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I750 PSEPK K1 TssA1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88IB1

Function

structural molecule activityGO:0005198

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Coordinates polymerization at the growing distal end.

Hcp inner-tube subunit

hcp_inner_tube

Participant: Family: Hcp/TssD family

Family:

Hcp/TssD familyInterPro:IPR008514

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Hcp1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I747 PSEPK K1 Hcp1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88IB0

Function

structural molecule activityGO:0005198

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Polymerizes into the expelled inner tube and can carry cargo.

TssB sheath subunit

tssb_sheath_subunit

Participant: Family: TssB family

Family:

TssB familyInterPro:IPR008312

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssB1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I749 PSEPK K1 TssB1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88I99

Function

structural molecule activityGO:0005198

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Forms the contractile sheath together with TssC.

TssC sheath subunit

tssc_sheath_subunit

Participant: Family: TssC family

Family:

TssC familyInterPro:IPR010269

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 TssC1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I748 PSEPK K1 TssC1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88IA0

Function

structural molecule activityGO:0005198

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Forms the contractile sheath together with TssB.

Part 5: Contracted-sheath recycling

ClpV-dependent sheath recyclingReactiont6ss_sheath_recycling

ClpV uses ATP hydrolysis to disassemble and recycle contracted TssBC sheath.

Annotons

ClpV sheath-disassembly ATPase

clpv_sheath_disassembly_atpase

Participant: Family: ClpV family

Family:

ClpV familyInterPro:IPR017729

Representative Members: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 ClpV1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q9I742 PSEPK K1 ClpV1 exemplarUniProtKB:Q88IA4

Function

ATP hydrolysis activityGO:0016887

Processes

protein secretion by the type VI secretion systemGO:0033103

Remodels the contracted sheath for another firing cycle.