Type I Secretion Systems-One Mechanism for All?

Type I secretion systems (T1SS) are widespread in Gram-negative bacteria, especially in pathogenic bacteria, and they secrete adhesins, iron-scavenger proteins, lipases, proteases, or pore-forming toxins in the unfolded state in one step across two membranes without any periplasmic intermediate into the extracellular space. The substrates of T1SS are in general characterized by a C-terminal secretion sequence and nonapeptide repeats, so-called GG repeats, located N terminal to the secretion sequence. These GG repeats bind Ca2+ ions in the extracellular space, which triggers folding of the entire protein. Here we summarize our current knowledge of how Gram-negative bacteria secrete these substrates, which can possess a molecular mass of up to 1,500 kDa. We also describe recent findings that demonstrate that the absence of periplasmic intermediates, the "classic" mode of action, does not hold true for all T1SS and that we are beginning to realize modifications of a common theme.