High-Throughput Analysis of the Flagella FliK-Dependent Surfaceome and Secretome in Bacillus thuringiensis
Résumé
Bacillus thuringiensis is a entomopathogenic member of the Bacillus cereus group, known for its resistance to host antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and high virulence in insect models. While flagella are traditionally associated with motility, they also contribute to virulence through secretion systems. This study identifies FliK, a protein involved in flagellar hook length control, as a critical determinant of AMP resistance and virulence, independent of motility. A ∆fliK mutant exhibited heightened AMP sensitivity and reduced pathogenicity in Drosophila, unlike other flagella-deficient strains. Using LC-MS/MS, we conducted a comparative secretome and surfaceome analysis of the wild-type WT and ∆fliK strains. The ∆fliK mutant showed reduced secretion of virulence factors and an increase in cell wall remodeling proteins, pointing to a broader role for FliK in protein regulation and cell surface composition. These findings highlight FliK as a key regulator in B. thuringiensis pathogenesis and AMP resistance, offering new targets for investigating bacterial immune evasion mechanisms.
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