Brooke K Hayes

Oct 22, 2024 | newatlas.com | Michael Franco |Brooke K Hayes

A. baumannii bacteria is a nasty antibiotic-resistant bug that thrives in hospitals, where it takes advantage of weakened immune systems. Researchers have now found the bacteria's secret weapon and have ideas on how to use it for good. Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is what's known as an opportunistic bacteria because it infects people who are already suffering from illnesses such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or wounds.

Oct 7, 2024 | nature.com | Brooke K Hayes |Marina Harper |Jessica Lewis |Joel Steele |David L. Steer |Ralf B. Schittenhelm | +1 more

AbstractThe type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a molecular machine utilised by many Gram-negative bacteria to deliver antibacterial toxins into adjacent cells. Here we present the structure of Tse15, a T6SS Rhs effector from the nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. Tse15 forms a triple layered β-cocoon Rhs domain with an N-terminal α-helical clade domain and an unfolded C-terminal toxin domain inside the Rhs cage.

Jun 29, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Brooke K Hayes |Francesca Gillett |Amy Wright |Valeriya Bezkorovayna

AbstractAcinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that is a common cause of nosocomial infections. The increasing development of antibiotic resistance in this organism is a global health concern. The A. baumannii clinical isolate AB307-0294 produces a type VI secretion system (T6SS) that delivers three antibacterial cargo effector proteins (Tse15, Tde16 and Tae17) that give this strain a competitive advantage against other bacteria in polymicrobial environments.

Nov 18, 2023 | biorxiv.org | Brooke K Hayes |Marina Harper |Hariprasad Venugopal |Jessica Lewis

AbstractThe type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a molecular machine utilised by many Gram-negative bacteria to deliver antibacterial toxins directly into adjacent bacteria, often providing a competitive advantage. Rearrangement hotspot (Rhs) effectors are known T6SS cargo effectors, but the precise delivery and activation of these toxins is poorly defined. We present the structure of a novel T6SS Rhs effector (Tse15) from the multidrug resistant nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii.