No description available.

Nematodes are highly diverse animals capable of interacting with almost every other form of life on Earth from general trophic interactions to intimate and persistent symbiotic associations. Much of their recognition originates from their various parasitic lifestyles. From an agricultural standpoint, plant parasitic nematodes are widely known for the destruction they can cause to crop plants, such as the case of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita, or livestock animals, like the Trichinella spiralis, which infects pigs and other animals. From a human health perspective, nematodes can cause many debilitating diseases, for example Wuchereria bancrofti, which is a causative agent of lymphatic filariasis or elephantiasis. However, not all parasitic nematodes have bad implications for human health. For instance, the diverse interactions of insect parasitic nematodes can be used to our benefit. Many of these species have been considered as biological control alternatives to different insect pests that wreak havoc on human, animal, and plant health. There still remain many questions surrounding their evolution, ecology, and physiological capabilities. Many of these taxa are hard to cultivate in the lab due to their complex and intimate lifestyles. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are of great interest in agriculture because they vector insect pathogenic bacteria, which are capable of causing death to an insect host within 48 hours post-infection. Much of the molecular underpinnings in this system still remain to be discovered, from understanding the basic ability of these two organisms to associate with one another to genetically engineering more robust and host specific pathogens for application in the field. The focus of the research presented herein is on Steinernematidae nematodes and their bacterial symbionts. Specifically, it focused on the relationship between Xenorhabdus bovienii and its Steinernema hosts. Bioassays were designed to investigate insect virulence of X. bovienii alone in two Lepidoptera insect species with known differential susceptibility to Steinernema-Xenorhabdus pairs. A comparative genomic analysis was performed to compare different Xenorhabdus bovienii strains with observed variation in insect virulence. Results from this analysis demonstrated that virulent strains possess a type VI secretion system (T6SS) locus that is completely absent in strains with attenuated virulence. Bacterial competition assays between T6SS+ and T6SS- strains suggest this locus is involved in bacterial competition. Additionally, symbiont preference assays were carried out to investigate whether Steinernema hosts are able to discern between virulent and attenuated X. bovienii strains. Results from these assays revealed that Steinernema nematodes are able to distinguish between cognate and non-cognate X. bovienii symbionts, giving preference to virulent strains over those with attenuated virulence. Altogether these results provide further evidence that supports the notion that symbiont-switching events have occurred over the Steinernema-Xenorhabdus co-evolutionary history. Specifically, the competitive virulence of certain X. bovienii strains may have conferred them the ability to be selected by different Steinernema hosts, therefore contributing to the success of the nematode-bacterium partnership in being pathogenic to diverse insect hosts.

Bacterial pathogenesis relies on a subset of mechanisms including adhesion to various matrices, antibiotic resistance, defence and action against surrounding microorganisms, and secretion of virulence factors. Among the secretion systems, the recently identified Type VI secretion system (T6SS) has been shown to be involved in both virulence against eukaryotic cells and inter-bacterial warfare. T6SS are composed of a minimum of 13 proteins called "core components". It is believe to form a macromolecular system that spans the envelope to assemble an extracellular structure composed of the Hcp protein with a trimer of VgrG located at the tip. This model has been built following in silico and structural analyses demonstrating the link between several T6SS subunits and bacteriophage T4 baseplate and tail elements. Other T6SS subunits include membrane proteins. Using enteroaggregative Escherichia coli as a bacterial model, the aim of my work is to understand how this system assembles in the cell envelope. I recently showed that four of these membrane proteins, SciP, SciS, SciN and SciZ make contact to form a complex [1]. These four subunits are critical components of the T6SS. I then delineated the interaction network, demonstrating that SciZ interacts with SciP, and that SciS interacts with both SciP and SciN. Further characterization of these subunits showed that SciN is a lipoprotein associated with the outer membrane [2, 4], whereas SciP and SciS are inner membrane proteins anchored through a single and three transmembrane segments respectively. SciZ is a polytopic inner membrane protein carrying a peptidoglycan-binding motif within its periplasmic domain. Mutagenesis and peptidoglycan binding experiments demonstrated that SciZ anchors the T6SS to the cell wall [1, 3]. Overall, we have identified and characterized a trans-envelope complex anchored in both membrane and to the peptidoglycan layer. / Bacterial pathogenesis relies on a subset of mechanisms including adhesion to various matrices, antibiotic resistance, defence and action against surrounding microorganisms, and secretion of virulence factors. Among the secretion systems, the recently identified Type VI secretion system (T6SS) has been shown to be involved in both virulence against eukaryotic cells and inter-bacterial warfare. T6SS are composed of a minimum of 13 proteins called "core components". It is believe to form a macromolecular system that spans the envelope to assemble an extracellular structure composed of the Hcp protein with a trimer of VgrG located at the tip. This model has been built following in silico and structural analyses demonstrating the link between several T6SS subunits and bacteriophage T4 baseplate and tail elements. Other T6SS subunits include membrane proteins. Using enteroaggregative Escherichia coli as a bacterial model, the aim of my work is to understand how this system assembles in the cell envelope. I recently showed that four of these membrane proteins, SciP, SciS, SciN and SciZ make contact to form a complex [1]. These four subunits are critical components of the T6SS. I then delineated the interaction network, demonstrating that SciZ interacts with SciP, and that SciS interacts with both SciP and SciN. Further characterization of these subunits showed that SciN is a lipoprotein associated with the outer membrane [2, 4], whereas SciP and SciS are inner membrane proteins anchored through a single and three transmembrane segments respectively. SciZ is a polytopic inner membrane protein carrying a peptidoglycan-binding motif within its periplasmic domain. Mutagenesis and peptidoglycan binding experiments demonstrated that SciZ anchors the T6SS to the cell wall [1, 3]. Overall, we have identified and characterized a trans-envelope complex anchored in both membrane and to the peptidoglycan layer.

Orientadores: Wanderley Dias da Silveira, Eliana Guedes Stehling / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T23:32:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pace_Fernandade_D.pdf: 4667016 bytes, checksum: c841e6b899f0efc5569c9c6c6ce46935 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Linhagens de Escherichia coli patogênica para aves (APEC) causam infecções extraintestinais e são responsáveis por significativas perdas econômicas na indústria avícola mundial. Recentemente, foram descritos isolados de APEC geneticamente relacionados a diversas outras E.coli extraintestinais (ExPEC) de origem humana, indicando a possibilidade das mesmas constituírem risco zoonótico para humanos. Alguns dos conhecidos fatores de virulência de APEC incluem adesinas, sistema de aquisição de ferro, citotoxinas, entre outros. Nesse trabalho, demonstramos que a linhagem de APEC SEPT 362, isolada do fígado de uma ave apresentando sinais clínicos de septicemia, expressa o Sistema de Secreção Tipo VI (SST6), causa rearranjo do citoesqueleto de células epiteliais cultivadas in vitro, é capaz de aderir e invadir células HeLa e é viável dentro de macrófagos. Para estudar o envolvimento do SST6 na patogênese da linhagem SEPT362, foram deletados três genes desse sistema: hcp, que codifica para uma proteína estrutural e secretada, clpV, que codifica para uma ATPase e icmF (intracellular multiplication factor), gerando três mutantes, respectivamente. Todos os mutantes demonstraram uma diminuição nos processos de adesão e invasão a células HeLa, formação de biofilme e virulência in vivo. Estudos de transcriptoma mostraram que a expressão da fímbria tipo 1 encontra-se diminuída nesses mutantes, o que poderia ser responsável pela diminuição do processo de adesão e invasão às células epiteliais. Nesse trabalho, demonstramos que o SST6 é importante para o processo de patogenicidade, visto que todos os mutantes tiveram sua virulência atenuada em experimentos realizados in vivo com uma significativa diminuição de características relacionadas à patogenicidade in vitro. Esses resultados demonstram que os genes estudados do SST6 influenciam a expressão da fímbria tipo 1 e contribuem para a patogênese desta linhagem APEC / Abstract: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains frequently cause extraintestinal infections and are responsible for significant economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. APEC isolates are closely related to human extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains and may also act as pathogens for humans. Known APEC virulence factors include adhesins such as type 1 fimbriae and curli, iron acquisition systems, and cytotoxins, among others. Here we demonstrated that APEC strain SEPT362, isolated from a septicemic hen, expresses a type VI secretion system (T6SS), causes cytoskeleton rearrangements, invades epithelial cells, replicates within macrophages, and causes lethal disease in chicks. To assess the contribution of the T6SS to SEPT362 pathogenesis, we generated three mutants, ?hcp (which encodes a protein suggessed to be both secreted and a structural component of the T6SS), ?clpV (encoding the T6SS ATPase) and ?icmF (intracellular multiplication factor). All mutants showed decreased adherence and invasion to HeLa cells and decrease in several other pathogenicity related characteristics. Transcriptome studies showed that the level of expression of type 1 fimbriae was decreased in these mutants, which may account for the diminished adhesion and invasion of epithelial cells. The T6SS seems to be important for the disease process, given that both mutants (?hcp and ?clpV) were attenuated in an infection model in chicks. These results suggest that the T6SS influences the expression of type 1 fimbriae and contributes to the pathogenesis of this APEC strain pathogenesis / Doutorado / Genetica de Microorganismos / Doutor em Genetica e Biologia Molecular

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a protein export pathway that mediates competition between Gram-negative bacteria by facilitating the injection of toxic effector proteins from attacking cells into target cells. To function properly, many T6SSs require at least one protein that possesses a proline-alanine-alanine-arginine (PAAR) domain. These PAAR domains are often found within large, multi-domain effectors that possess additional N- and C-terminal extension domains whose function in type VI secretion is not well understood. The work described herein uncovers the function of these accessory domains across multiple PAAR-containing effectors. First, I demonstrated that thousands of PAAR effectors possess N-terminal transmembrane domains (TMDs) and that these effectors require a family of molecular chaperones for stability in the cell prior to their export by the T6SS. Our findings are corroborated by co-crystal structures of chaperones in complex with the TMDs of their cognate effectors, capturing the first high-resolution structural snapshots of T6SS chaperone-effector interactions. Second, I characterize a previously undescribed prePAAR effector named Tas1. My work shows that the C-terminus of Tas1 possesses a toxin domain that pyrophosphorylates ADP and ATP to synthesize the nucleotides adenosine penta- and tetraphosphate (hereafter referred to as (p)ppApp). Delivery of Tas1 into competitor cells drives the rapid accumulation of (p)ppApp, depletion of ADP and ATP, and widespread dysregulation of essential metabolic pathways, resulting in target cell death. These findings reveal a new mechanism of interbacterial antagonism, the first characterization of a (p)ppApp synthetase and the first demonstration of a role for (p)ppApp in bacterial physiology. TMD- and toxin-containing PAAR proteins constitute a large family of over 6,000 T6SS effectors found in Gram-negative bacteria. My work on these proteins has uncovered that different regions found within effectors have distinct roles in trafficking between bacterial cells and in the growth inhibition of the target cell. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Bacteria constantly compete with their neighbours for resources and space. The type VI secretion system is a protein complex that facilitates competition between Gram-negative bacteria by facilitating the injection of protein toxins, also known as effectors, from attacking cells into target cells. In this work, I characterize several members of a large family of membrane protein effectors. First, I showed that these effectors require a novel family of chaperone proteins for stability and recruitment to the type VI secretion system apparatus. Second, I characterized the growth-inhibitory properties of one of these effectors in-depth and showed that it possesses a toxin domain that depletes the essential nucleotides ATP and ADP in target cells by synthesizing the nucleotides adenosine penta- and tetraphosphate, (p)ppApp. Together, these studies revealed a new mechanism for the intercellular delivery of membrane protein toxins and uncovered the first known physiological role of a (p)ppApp-synthesizing enzyme in bacteria.

Mon travail a porté sur la caractérisation des effecteurs toxiques et protéines d’immunité du T6SS Sci-1 d’Escherichia coli Entero-agrégatif, éléments de la lutte inter-bactérienne. Nous avons identifié en outre Tle1, un effecteur de toxine codé par ce groupe et montré que Tle1 possède des activités de phospholipase A1 et A2 requises pour détruire la cellule proie dans la compétition interbactérienne. L'auto-protection de la cellule attaquante est assurée par une lipoprotéine de membrane externe, Tli1, qui lie Tle1 dans un rapport stoechiométrique 1: 1 avec une affinité nanomolaire et inhibe son activité phospholipase. Il a été prédit que la protéine 435 provenant à partir d'un groupe de gènes T6SS1 de l'agent pathogène AIEC LF82 est une phospholipase de la famille d'effecteurs Tle3 avec une activité PLA1. Sa toxicité peut être neutralisée par la protéine d'immunité cognate 434 qui est un Tli3 putatif, en formant le complexe de protéine Tle3 - Tli3. Les deux protéines séparées et leur complexe ont ensuite été appelées protéines complexes Tle3AIEC, Tli3AIEC et Tle3AIEC - Tli3AIEC, respectivement. Afin d'étudier plus en détail le mécanisme de Tle3-AIEC et de Tli3-AIEC, nous avons réalisé l'expression, la purification, la caractérisation, la cristallisation des deux protéines et des études cristallographiques de rayons X préliminaires du complexe Tle3-AIEC/Tli3-AIEC afin de comprendre comment la protéine Tle3-AIEC reconnaît et se lie à son effecteur apparenté Tli3-AIEC et inhibe son activité. Les données préliminaires de diffraction des rayons X ont été recueillies à partir de cristaux Tle3AIEC-SeMet/Tli3AIEC à une résolution de 3,8 Å. / Here, we analyzed the Entero-aggregative Escherichia coli Sci-1 T6SS toxin effectors. We identified Tle1, a toxin effector encoded by this cluster and show that Tle1 possesses phospholipase A1 and A2 activities required for the inter-bacterial competition. Self-protection of the attacker cell is secured by an outer membrane lipoprotein, Tli1, which binds Tle1 in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio with nanomolar affinity, and inhibits its phospholipase activity.The protein 435 from the pathogen AIEC LF82 has been predicted to be a phospholipase of the Tle3 effector family with PLA1 activity from a T6SS1 gene cluster. Its toxicity can be neutralized by the cognate immunity protein 434 that is a putative Tli3, by forming Tle3 - Tli3 protein complex. The two separated proteins and their complex were then called Tle3AIEC, Tli3AIEC and Tle3AIEC - Tli3AIEC complex proteins, respectively. In order to further investigate the related mechanism of Tle3AIEC and Tli3AIEC, we performed expression, purification, characterization, crystallization of the two proteins and preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of the Tle3AIEC - Tli3AIEC complex in order to understand how Tle3AIEC protein recognizes and binds to its cognate Tli3AIEC effector and inhibits its activity. X-ray diffraction data were collected from selenomethionine-derivatize Tle3AIEC SeMet - Tli3AIEC crystals to a resolution of 3.8 Å.

Le système de sécrétion de type VI (SST6) est un complexe multi-protéique permettant l’export d’effecteurs. Ce mécanisme est impliqué à la fois dans la virulence envers les cellules eucaryotes, dans l’activité antibactérienne mais également dans l’acquisition d’ions présents dans ’environnement. Ainsi, le SST6 joue un rôle important dans l’adaptation et la compétition, éléments essentiels dans la colonisation et la persistance au sein d’une niche écologique. Actuellement, très peu d’études portent sur l’importance du SST6 chez des souches environnementales, contrairement aux nombreuses études portant sur des pathogènes tels que Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia thailandensis, Vibrio cholerae ou Escherichia coli. Mon sujet de recherche avait pour objectif de caractériser le ou les rôles du SST6 de la souche environnementale Pseudomonas fluorescens MFE01. Ces travaux ont permis d’appréhender certaines fonctions du SST6 de cette souche. Le génome de MFE01 ne comporte qu’un seul cluster de gènes du SST6 où sont regroupés les gènes codant pour la machinerie du SST6 (le « core-component ») à l’exception des gènes hcp. Les protéines Hcp sont des éléments structuraux du SST6 dont elles forment le tube interne qui permet le transfert des effecteurs. Différents gènes hcp sont disséminés sur le chromosome et parmi ces « hcp » orphelins, hcp2 et hcp3 codent respectivement pour les protéines Hcp2 et Hcp3. Ces deux Hcp sécrétées par le SST6, sont associées à l’activité antibactérienne de MFE01 sur différentes souches pathogènes et environnementales, tels que P. aeruginosa, P. fluorescens MFN1032 et Pectobacterium atrosepticum. La protéine Hcp1, codée par le gène orphelin hcp1, est impliquée dans l’inhibition de mobilité de souche compétitrice. Hcp1 permettrait la sécrétion d’au moins deux toxines qui perturberaient l’assemblage du flagelle. Chez MFE01Δhcp1 et MFE01ΔtssC (TssC est un élément de la gaine contractile du SST6), ces toxines seraient accumulées dans le cytoplasme, inhibant ainsi ’assemblage de leur propre flagelle. La surproduction du régulateur FliA, qui contrôle notamment l’assemblage du filament flagellaire, restaure la mobilité chez ces deux mutants. En parallèle, le SST6 de la souche MFE01 est essentiel à la formation et la maturation de biofilm mais également à la compétition bactérienne en biofilm mixte. Ce système interviendrait dans la communication bactérienne indispensable au comportement social, requis lors de l’élaboration des biofilms. / Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a multiproteic apparatus that secreted proteinaceous effectors. T6SS participate in a variety of functions, whose eukaryote virulence, antibacterial activity or metal ion uptake. These capacities conferring an advantage in adaptation and competition, crucial to colonization or persistence within ecological niche. As well, only a few studies have focused on the T6SS functions of environmental strains, contrary to numerous studies dealing with pathogens as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia thailandensis, Vibrio cholerae or Escherichia coli. The purpose of my research project was to characterize the T6SS function(s) of the environmental strain Pseudomonas fluorescens MFE01. This work had led to understand the various functions of T6SS of MFE01 strain. This strain has a single T6SS cluster where all the core component proteins were gathered, except hcp genes. Three orphan hcp genes where found and are scattered in genome. Hcp proteins form the inner tube allowing effectors secretion. Both Hcp2 and Hcp3 proteins were involved in antibacterial activity on pathogens or environmental strains like P. aeruginosa, P. fluorescens or Pectobacterium atrosepticum. Characterization of Hcp1 proteins role constituted a major focus of this project. Hcp1 proteins participate to motility inhibition of competitive strains through T6SS. Hcp1 may be associated with secretion of at least two toxins perturbing the flagellar filament assembly. In MFE01Δhcp1 and MFE01ΔtssC mutants (Tss is a contractile sheath constituent), these toxins may be accumulated into cytoplasm and perturb assembly of their own flagella. Interestingly, overproduction of FliA flagellar regulator, which controls assembly of flagellar filament, restores motility of both mutants. Simultaneously, T6SS of MFE01 strain contributes to maturation and biofilm formation but also in bacterial competition within mixed biofilm. T6SS may be a mean of bacterial communication and thus coordinate a social behavior, primordial for biofilm formation.

No description available.

Aeromonas spp. são bastonetes Gram negativos amplamente distribuídos nos ambientes aquáticos, com relatos de isolamento em água de abastecimento público e alimentos. Este micro-organismo possui potencial de causar doenças intestinais e extraintestinais cuja patogenicidade está associada a sua virulência multifatorial. Diversos determinantes de virulência de Aeromonas já foram identificados, incluindo sistemas de secreção de proteínas. O sistema de secreção tipo VI (SST6) é o mais recente sistema de secreção de proteínas identificado em bactérias cuja presença em estirpes no gênero Aeromonas pode implicar atividades de citotoxicidade para o hospedeiro, pois esse sistema é capaz de injetar moléculas efetoras dentro da célula, interferindo diretamente nos processos celulares. A fim de determinar a presença e analisar a distribuição dos genes hcp e vgrG codificadores das proteínas efetoras do SST6 em Aeromonas spp. o presente estudo examinou 119 cepas isoladas de diversas origens pela técnica da PCR após o desenho de oligonucleotídeos iniciadores específicos. Objetivamos ainda analisar a variabilidade genética interespecífica dos genes hcp e vgrG a partir de dados de sequenciamento. Os resultados obtidos indicaram a distribuição dos genes vgrG e hcp em 46% das cepas de Aeromonas hydrophila e Aeromonas caviae de diferentes origens. Entre as cepas de A. hydrophila a maior frequência foi observada nas cepas isoladas de humanos, onde todas foram positivas para os iniciadores que amplificaram um produto de 541 pb do gene vgrG e 418 pb do gene hcp. Entre as cepas de A. caviae, a incidência de genes vgrG e hcp foi mais elevada nas cepas isoladas de alface (60%) e peixes (50%). As cepas analisadas de origem ambiental apresentaram índice total de 36% de positividade, apresentando frequência de 60% e 22% em A. hydrophila e A. caviae, respectivamente. Os dados obtidos da análise de cepas de origem alimentar mostraram a presença dos genes vgrG e hcp em 67% (A. hydrophila) e 60% (A. caviae) das cepas isoladas de folhas de alface. Nas cepas isoladas de queijo os genes foram encontrados em 67% e 12,5% das cepas de A. hydrophila e de A. caviae, respectivamente. O alinhamento múltiplo entre as sequências dos segmentos dos genes hcp e vgrG obtidas no sequenciamento indicou grau de identidade nucleotídica de 75 a 100% entre as sequências de hcp e 80 a 100% entre as sequências de vgrG. Em conclusão, nossos resultados indicaram que os iniciadores desenhados foram capazes de detectar suas sequências alvo em cepas de A. caviae e outras espécies de Aeromonas, sugerindo a existência de homologia entre os genes nas diferentes espécies, confirmada após sequenciamento de DNA. Os dados indicaram que esses genes estão distribuídos em várias espécies de Aeromonas e em cepas isoladas de diversas fontes. Ressaltamos a prevalência de cepas de A. hydrophila PCR-positivas em isolados clínicos, sugerindo a participação do SST6 no complexo universo da virulência multifatorial que permeia esse micro-organismo / Aeromonas species are Gram negative bacilli distributed widely in aquatic environments, with reports of isolation of this microorganism in water for public supply and food. Aeromonas have the potential to cause intestinal and extra intestinal infections whose pathogenicity is associated with multifactorial virulence. A number of virulence determinants have already been identified in Aeromonas, including protein secretion systems. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is the most recent pathway to secrete proteins identified in bacteria. The presence of T6SS in Aeromonas strains may involve activities of cytotoxicity to the host, since this system is capable of injecting effectors molecules into the cell, interfering directly with a variety of cellular processes. The present study examined 119 strains of different origins by PCR, after the design of specific primers, to determine the distribution of vgrG and hcp genes encoding the effector proteins of T6SS in Aeromonas spp. We aimed to further analyze the interspecific sequence variation of hcp and vgrG genes based on sequencing data. The results show the presence of hcp and vgrG genes in 46% of A. hydrophila and A. caviae strains from different sources. All A. hydrophila strains isolated from humans were positive for the primers used to amplify a product of 541 bp and 418 bp of vgrG and hcp genes, respectively. Among A. caviae strains, the incidence of hcp and vgrG genes was high in the strains isolated from lettuce (60%) and fish (50%). The overall PCR-positive rate of strains from environmental source was 36%, with a frequency of 60% and 22% in A. hydrophila and A. caviae, respectively. The data obtained from analysis of food-borne strains showed the presence of hcp and vgrG genes in 67% (A. hydrophila) and 60% (A. caviae) of strains isolated from lettuce, while in the strains isolated from cheese the frequency was 67% (A. hydrophila) and 12.5% (A. caviae). The multiple alignment of hcp and vgrG sequences obtained revealed nucleotide identity rate between 75-100% among the hcp sequences and 80-100% in vgrG sequences. In conclusion, our results indicate that the primers designed were able to detect their target sequences in strains of A. caviae and other Aeromonas species, suggesting the existence of homology between genes in different species, as confirmed after DNA sequencing. The data indicate that these genes are distributed in various Aeromonas species from different sources. We emphasize the prevalence of PCR-positive A. hydrophila strains in clinical samples suggesting the involvement of T6SS in the complex universe of multifactorial virulence, which permeates this microorganism

Aeromonas spp. são bastonetes Gram negativos amplamente distribuídos nos ambientes aquáticos, com relatos de isolamento em água de abastecimento público e alimentos. Este micro-organismo possui potencial de causar doenças intestinais e extraintestinais cuja patogenicidade está associada a sua virulência multifatorial. Diversos determinantes de virulência de Aeromonas já foram identificados, incluindo sistemas de secreção de proteínas. O sistema de secreção tipo VI (SST6) é o mais recente sistema de secreção de proteínas identificado em bactérias cuja presença em estirpes no gênero Aeromonas pode implicar atividades de citotoxicidade para o hospedeiro, pois esse sistema é capaz de injetar moléculas efetoras dentro da célula, interferindo diretamente nos processos celulares. A fim de determinar a presença e analisar a distribuição dos genes hcp e vgrG codificadores das proteínas efetoras do SST6 em Aeromonas spp. o presente estudo examinou 119 cepas isoladas de diversas origens pela técnica da PCR após o desenho de oligonucleotídeos iniciadores específicos. Objetivamos ainda analisar a variabilidade genética interespecífica dos genes hcp e vgrG a partir de dados de sequenciamento. Os resultados obtidos indicaram a distribuição dos genes vgrG e hcp em 46% das cepas de Aeromonas hydrophila e Aeromonas caviae de diferentes origens. Entre as cepas de A. hydrophila a maior frequência foi observada nas cepas isoladas de humanos, onde todas foram positivas para os iniciadores que amplificaram um produto de 541 pb do gene vgrG e 418 pb do gene hcp. Entre as cepas de A. caviae, a incidência de genes vgrG e hcp foi mais elevada nas cepas isoladas de alface (60%) e peixes (50%). As cepas analisadas de origem ambiental apresentaram índice total de 36% de positividade, apresentando frequência de 60% e 22% em A. hydrophila e A. caviae, respectivamente. Os dados obtidos da análise de cepas de origem alimentar mostraram a presença dos genes vgrG e hcp em 67% (A. hydrophila) e 60% (A. caviae) das cepas isoladas de folhas de alface. Nas cepas isoladas de queijo os genes foram encontrados em 67% e 12,5% das cepas de A. hydrophila e de A. caviae, respectivamente. O alinhamento múltiplo entre as sequências dos segmentos dos genes hcp e vgrG obtidas no sequenciamento indicou grau de identidade nucleotídica de 75 a 100% entre as sequências de hcp e 80 a 100% entre as sequências de vgrG. Em conclusão, nossos resultados indicaram que os iniciadores desenhados foram capazes de detectar suas sequências alvo em cepas de A. caviae e outras espécies de Aeromonas, sugerindo a existência de homologia entre os genes nas diferentes espécies, confirmada após sequenciamento de DNA. Os dados indicaram que esses genes estão distribuídos em várias espécies de Aeromonas e em cepas isoladas de diversas fontes. Ressaltamos a prevalência de cepas de A. hydrophila PCR-positivas em isolados clínicos, sugerindo a participação do SST6 no complexo universo da virulência multifatorial que permeia esse micro-organismo / Aeromonas species are Gram negative bacilli distributed widely in aquatic environments, with reports of isolation of this microorganism in water for public supply and food. Aeromonas have the potential to cause intestinal and extra intestinal infections whose pathogenicity is associated with multifactorial virulence. A number of virulence determinants have already been identified in Aeromonas, including protein secretion systems. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is the most recent pathway to secrete proteins identified in bacteria. The presence of T6SS in Aeromonas strains may involve activities of cytotoxicity to the host, since this system is capable of injecting effectors molecules into the cell, interfering directly with a variety of cellular processes. The present study examined 119 strains of different origins by PCR, after the design of specific primers, to determine the distribution of vgrG and hcp genes encoding the effector proteins of T6SS in Aeromonas spp. We aimed to further analyze the interspecific sequence variation of hcp and vgrG genes based on sequencing data. The results show the presence of hcp and vgrG genes in 46% of A. hydrophila and A. caviae strains from different sources. All A. hydrophila strains isolated from humans were positive for the primers used to amplify a product of 541 bp and 418 bp of vgrG and hcp genes, respectively. Among A. caviae strains, the incidence of hcp and vgrG genes was high in the strains isolated from lettuce (60%) and fish (50%). The overall PCR-positive rate of strains from environmental source was 36%, with a frequency of 60% and 22% in A. hydrophila and A. caviae, respectively. The data obtained from analysis of food-borne strains showed the presence of hcp and vgrG genes in 67% (A. hydrophila) and 60% (A. caviae) of strains isolated from lettuce, while in the strains isolated from cheese the frequency was 67% (A. hydrophila) and 12.5% (A. caviae). The multiple alignment of hcp and vgrG sequences obtained revealed nucleotide identity rate between 75-100% among the hcp sequences and 80-100% in vgrG sequences. In conclusion, our results indicate that the primers designed were able to detect their target sequences in strains of A. caviae and other Aeromonas species, suggesting the existence of homology between genes in different species, as confirmed after DNA sequencing. The data indicate that these genes are distributed in various Aeromonas species from different sources. We emphasize the prevalence of PCR-positive A. hydrophila strains in clinical samples suggesting the involvement of T6SS in the complex universe of multifactorial virulence, which permeates this microorganism