1
|
Backman T, Latorre SM, Symeonidi E, Muszyński A, Bleak E, Eads L, Martinez-Koury PI, Som S, Hawks A, Gloss AD, Belnap DM, Manuel AM, Deutschbauer AM, Bergelson J, Azadi P, Burbano HA, Karasov TL. A phage tail-like bacteriocin suppresses competitors in metapopulations of pathogenic bacteria. Science 2024; 384:eado0713. [PMID: 38870284 DOI: 10.1126/science.ado0713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria can repurpose their own bacteriophage viruses (phage) to kill competing bacteria. Phage-derived elements are frequently strain specific in their killing activity, although there is limited evidence that this specificity drives bacterial population dynamics. Here, we identified intact phage and their derived elements in a metapopulation of wild plant-associated Pseudomonas genomes. We discovered that the most abundant viral cluster encodes a phage remnant resembling a phage tail called a tailocin, which bacteria have co-opted to kill bacterial competitors. Each pathogenic Pseudomonas strain carries one of a few distinct tailocin variants that target the variable polysaccharides in the outer membrane of co-occurring pathogenic Pseudomonas strains. Analysis of herbarium samples from the past 170 years revealed that the same tailocin and bacterial receptor variants have persisted in Pseudomonas populations. These results suggest that tailocin genetic diversity can be mined to develop targeted "tailocin cocktails" for microbial control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Talia Backman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Sergio M Latorre
- Centre for Life's Origins and Evolution, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Research Group for Ancient Genomics and Evolution, Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Efthymia Symeonidi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Artur Muszyński
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Ella Bleak
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Lauren Eads
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | | | - Sarita Som
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Aubrey Hawks
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Andrew D Gloss
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - David M Belnap
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Allison M Manuel
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Core, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Adam M Deutschbauer
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Joy Bergelson
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Hernán A Burbano
- Centre for Life's Origins and Evolution, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Research Group for Ancient Genomics and Evolution, Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Talia L Karasov
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shymialevich D, Błażejak S, Średnicka P, Cieślak H, Ostrowska A, Sokołowska B, Wójcicki M. Biological Characterization and Genomic Analysis of Three Novel Serratia- and Enterobacter-Specific Virulent Phages. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5944. [PMID: 38892136 PMCID: PMC11172527 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the high microbiological contamination of raw food materials and the increase in the incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, new methods of ensuring microbiological food safety are being sought. One solution may be to use bacteriophages (so-called phages) as natural bacterial enemies. Therefore, the aim of this study was the biological and genomic characterization of three newly isolated Serratia- and Enterobacter-specific virulent bacteriophages as potential candidates for food biocontrol. Serratia phage KKP_3708 (vB_Sli-IAFB_3708), Serratia phage KKP_3709 (vB_Sma-IAFB_3709), and Enterobacter phage KKP_3711 (vB_Ecl-IAFB_3711) were isolated from municipal sewage against Serratia liquefaciens strain KKP 3654, Serratia marcescens strain KKP 3687, and Enterobacter cloacae strain KKP 3684, respectively. The effect of phage addition at different multiplicity of infection (MOI) rates on the growth kinetics of the bacterial hosts was determined using a Bioscreen C Pro growth analyzer. The phages retained high activity in a wide temperature range (from -20 °C to 60 °C) and active acidity values (pH from 3 to 12). Based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging and whole-genome sequencing (WGS), the isolated bacteriophages belong to the tailed bacteriophages from the Caudoviricetes class. Genomic analysis revealed that the phages have linear double-stranded DNA of size 40,461 bp (Serratia phage KKP_3708), 67,890 bp (Serratia phage KKP_3709), and 113,711 bp (Enterobacter phage KKP_3711). No virulence, toxins, or antibiotic resistance genes were detected in the phage genomes. The lack of lysogenic markers indicates that all three bacteriophages may be potential candidates for food biocontrol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dziyana Shymialevich
- Culture Collection of Industrial Microorganisms—Microbiological Resources Center, Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Str., 02-532 Warsaw, Poland; (D.S.); (H.C.)
| | - Stanisław Błażejak
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS–SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166 Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Paulina Średnicka
- Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Str., 02-532 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Hanna Cieślak
- Culture Collection of Industrial Microorganisms—Microbiological Resources Center, Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Str., 02-532 Warsaw, Poland; (D.S.); (H.C.)
| | - Agnieszka Ostrowska
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS–SGGW), Ciszewskiego 8 Str., 02-786 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Barbara Sokołowska
- Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Str., 02-532 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Michał Wójcicki
- Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Str., 02-532 Warsaw, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Backman T, Latorre SM, Symeonidi E, Muszyński A, Bleak E, Eads L, Martinez-Koury PI, Som S, Hawks A, Gloss AD, Belnap DM, Manuel AM, Deutschbauer AM, Bergelson J, Azadi P, Burbano HA, Karasov TL. A weaponized phage suppresses competitors in historical and modern metapopulations of pathogenic bacteria. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.04.17.536465. [PMID: 38352526 PMCID: PMC10862724 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.17.536465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Bacteriophages, the viruses of bacteria, are proposed to drive bacterial population dynamics, yet direct evidence of their impact on natural populations is limited. Here we identified viral sequences in a metapopulation of wild plant-associated Pseudomonas spp. genomes. We discovered that the most abundant viral cluster does not encode an intact phage but instead encodes a tailocin - a phage-derived element that bacteria use to kill competitors for interbacterial warfare. Each pathogenic Pseudomonas sp. strain carries one of a few distinct tailocin variants, which target variable polysaccharides in the outer membrane of co-occurring pathogenic strains. Analysis of historic herbarium samples from the last 170 years revealed that the same tailocin and receptor variants have persisted in the Pseudomonas populations for at least two centuries, suggesting the continued use of a defined set of tailocin haplotypes and receptors. These results indicate that tailocin genetic diversity can be mined to develop targeted "tailocin cocktails" for microbial control. One-Sentence Summary Bacterial pathogens in a host-associated metapopulation use a repurposed prophage to kill their competitors.
Collapse
|
4
|
Mendoza-Cano F, Encinas-García T, Muhlia-Almazán A, Porchas-Cornejo M, de la Re-Vega E, Sánchez-Paz A. Development and validation of a real-time PCR assay protocol for the specific detection and quantification of pelagiphages in seawater samples. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 191:106168. [PMID: 37708616 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Earth is inhabited by numerous adaptations of cellular forms shaped by the persistent scrutiny of natural selection. Thus, as natural selection has fixed beneficial adaptations of functional traits, cellular life has conquered almost all environmental niches on our planet. However, cellular life succumbs in number and genetic diversity to viruses. Among all viruses, phages are highly prevalent in diverse environments, and due to their vast genetic diversity and abundance, their relevant role as significant players in several ecological processes is now fully recognized. Pelagiphages, bacteriophages infecting bacteria of the SAR11 clade, are the most abundant viruses in the oceans. However, the ecological contribution of pelagiphages on populations of Pelagibacterales remains largely underestimated. An essential aspect of estimating the impact of bacteriophages is their absolute and precise quantification, which provides relevant information about the host-virus interactions and the structure of viral assemblages. Consequently, due to its abundance and claimed influence in the biogeochemical cycling of elements, the accurate quantification of pelagiphages results in an essential task. This study describes the development and validation of a sensitive, specific, accurate and reproducible qPCR platform targeting pelagiphages. Moreover, this method allowed the detection and quantification of pelagiphages in the Gulf of California for the first time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Mendoza-Cano
- Laboratorio de Virología, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), S.C. (Campus Hermosillo), Calle Hermosa 101, Fraccionamiento Los Ángeles, Hermosillo, Sonora, C.P. 83206, México
| | - T Encinas-García
- Laboratorio de Virología, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), S.C. (Campus Hermosillo), Calle Hermosa 101, Fraccionamiento Los Ángeles, Hermosillo, Sonora, C.P. 83206, México; Departamento de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (DICTUS), Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, 83000, México
| | - A Muhlia-Almazán
- Bioenergetics and Molecular Genetics Lab, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo (CIAD), A. C. Carretera Gustavo Enrique Astiazarán Rosas, No. 46, Col. La Victoria, Hermosillo, Sonora, 83304, México
| | - M Porchas-Cornejo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. Km 2.35 Carretera a Las Tinajas, S/N Colonia Tinajas, Guaymas, Sonora, C.P. 85460, México
| | - E de la Re-Vega
- Departamento de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (DICTUS), Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, 83000, México
| | - A Sánchez-Paz
- Laboratorio de Virología, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), S.C. (Campus Hermosillo), Calle Hermosa 101, Fraccionamiento Los Ángeles, Hermosillo, Sonora, C.P. 83206, México.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rao VB, Fokine A, Fang Q, Shao Q. Bacteriophage T4 Head: Structure, Assembly, and Genome Packaging. Viruses 2023; 15:527. [PMID: 36851741 PMCID: PMC9958956 DOI: 10.3390/v15020527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage (phage) T4 has served as an extraordinary model to elucidate biological structures and mechanisms. Recent discoveries on the T4 head (capsid) structure, portal vertex, and genome packaging add a significant body of new literature to phage biology. Head structures in unexpanded and expanded conformations show dramatic domain movements, structural remodeling, and a ~70% increase in inner volume while creating high-affinity binding sites for the outer decoration proteins Soc and Hoc. Small changes in intercapsomer interactions modulate angles between capsomer planes, leading to profound alterations in head length. The in situ cryo-EM structure of the symmetry-mismatched portal vertex shows the remarkable structural morphing of local regions of the portal protein, allowing similar interactions with the capsid protein in different structural environments. Conformational changes in these interactions trigger the structural remodeling of capsid protein subunits surrounding the portal vertex, which propagate as a wave of expansion throughout the capsid. A second symmetry mismatch is created when a pentameric packaging motor assembles at the outer "clip" domains of the dodecameric portal vertex. The single-molecule dynamics of the packaging machine suggests a continuous burst mechanism in which the motor subunits adjusted to the shape of the DNA fire ATP hydrolysis, generating speeds as high as 2000 bp/s.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Venigalla B. Rao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Andrei Fokine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Qianglin Fang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Qianqian Shao
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lokareddy RK, Hou CFD, Doll SG, Li F, Gillilan RE, Forti F, Horner DS, Briani F, Cingolani G. Terminase Subunits from the Pseudomonas-Phage E217. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167799. [PMID: 36007626 PMCID: PMC10026623 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas phages are increasingly important biomedicines for phage therapy, but little is known about how these viruses package DNA. This paper explores the terminase subunits from the Myoviridae E217, a Pseudomonas-phage used in an experimental cocktail to eradicate P. aeruginosa in vitro and in animal models. We identified the large (TerL) and small (TerS) terminase subunits in two genes ∼58 kbs away from each other in the E217 genome. TerL presents a classical two-domain architecture, consisting of an N-terminal ATPase and C-terminal nuclease domain arranged into a bean-shaped tertiary structure. A 2.05 Å crystal structure of the C-terminal domain revealed an RNase H-like fold with two magnesium ions in the nuclease active site. Mutations in TerL residues involved in magnesium coordination had a dominant-negative effect on phage growth. However, the two ions identified in the active site were too far from each other to promote two-metal-ion catalysis, suggesting a conformational change is required for nuclease activity. We also determined a 3.38 Å cryo-EM reconstruction of E217 TerS that revealed a ring-like decamer, departing from the most common nonameric quaternary structure observed thus far. E217 TerS contains both N-terminal helix-turn-helix motifs enriched in basic residues and a central channel lined with basic residues large enough to accommodate double-stranded DNA. Overexpression of TerS caused a more than a 4-fold reduction of E217 burst size, suggesting a catalytic amount of the protein is required for packaging. Together, these data expand the molecular repertoire of viral terminase subunits to Pseudomonas-phages used for phage therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ravi K Lokareddy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Chun-Feng David Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Steven G Doll
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Fenglin Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Richard E Gillilan
- Macromolecular Diffraction Facility, Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (MacCHESS), Cornell University, 161 Synchrotron Drive, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Francesca Forti
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - David S Horner
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Briani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Gino Cingolani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Elbehery AHA, Deng L. Insights into the global freshwater virome. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:953500. [PMID: 36246212 PMCID: PMC9554406 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.953500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses are by far the most abundant life forms on this planet. Yet, the full viral diversity remains mostly unknown, especially in environments like freshwater. Therefore, we aimed to study freshwater viruses in a global context. To this end, we downloaded 380 publicly available viral metagenomes (>1 TB). More than 60% of these metagenomes were discarded based on their levels of cellular contamination assessed by ribosomal DNA content. For the remaining metagenomes, assembled contigs were decontaminated using two consecutive steps, eventually yielding 273,365 viral contigs longer than 1,000 bp. Long enough contigs (≥ 10 kb) were clustered to identify novel genomes/genome fragments. We could recover 549 complete circular and high-quality draft genomes, out of which 10 were recognized as being novel. Functional annotation of these genomes showed that most of the annotated coding sequences are DNA metabolic genes or phage structural genes. On the other hand, taxonomic analysis of viral contigs showed that most of the assigned contigs belonged to the order Caudovirales, particularly the families of Siphoviridae, Myoviridae, and Podoviridae. The recovered viral contigs contained several auxiliary metabolic genes belonging to several metabolic pathways, especially carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism in addition to photosynthesis as well as hydrocarbon degradation and antibiotic resistance. Overall, we present here a set of prudently chosen viral contigs, which should not only help better understanding of freshwater viruses but also be a valuable resource for future virome studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali H. A. Elbehery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Ali H. A. Elbehery,
| | - Li Deng
- Helmholtz Centre Munich – German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Institute of Virology, Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair of Microbial Disease Prevention, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Li Deng,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Interactions between Jumbo Phage SA1 and Staphylococcus: A Global Transcriptomic Analysis. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081590. [PMID: 36014008 PMCID: PMC9414953 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important zoonotic pathogen that poses a serious health concern to humans and cattle worldwide. Although it has been proven that lytic phages may successfully kill S. aureus, the interaction between the host and the phage has yet to be thoroughly investigated, which will likely limit the clinical application of phage. Here, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to examine the transcriptomics of jumbo phage SA1 and Staphylococcus JTB1-3 during a high multiplicity of infection (MOI) and RT-qPCR was used to confirm the results. The RNA-seq analysis revealed that phage SA1 took over the transcriptional resources of the host cells and that the genes were categorized as early, middle, and late, based on the expression levels during infection. A minor portion of the resources of the host was employed to enable phage replication after infection because only 35.73% (997/2790) of the host genes were identified as differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that the phage infection mainly affected the nucleotide metabolism, protein metabolism, and energy-related metabolism of the host. Moreover, the expression of the host genes involved in anti-phage systems, virulence, and drug resistance significantly changed during infection. This research gives a fresh understanding of the relationship between jumbo phages and their Gram-positive bacteria hosts and provides a reference for studying phage treatment and antibiotics.
Collapse
|
9
|
Hungaro HM, Vidigal PMP, do Nascimento EC, Gomes da Costa Oliveira F, Gontijo MTP, Lopez MES. Genomic Characterisation of UFJF_PfDIW6: A Novel Lytic Pseudomonas fluorescens-Phage with Potential for Biocontrol in the Dairy Industry. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030629. [PMID: 35337036 PMCID: PMC8951688 DOI: 10.3390/v14030629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we have presented the genomic characterisation of UFJF_PfDIW6, a novel lytic Pseudomonas fluorescens-phage with potential for biocontrol in the dairy industry. This phage showed a short linear double-stranded DNA genome (~42 kb) with a GC content of 58.3% and more than 50% of the genes encoding proteins with unknown functions. Nevertheless, UFJF_PfDIW6’s genome was organised into five functional modules: DNA packaging, structural proteins, DNA metabolism, lysogenic, and host lysis. Comparative genome analysis revealed that the UFJF_PfDIW6’s genome is distinct from other viral genomes available at NCBI databases, displaying maximum coverages of 5% among all alignments. Curiously, this phage showed higher sequence coverages (38–49%) when aligned with uncharacterised prophages integrated into Pseudomonas genomes. Phages compared in this study share conserved locally collinear blocks comprising genes of the modules’ DNA packing and structural proteins but were primarily differentiated by the composition of the DNA metabolism and lysogeny modules. Strategies for taxonomy assignment showed that UFJF_PfDIW6 was clustered into an unclassified genus in the Podoviridae clade. Therefore, our findings indicate that this phage could represent a novel genus belonging to the Podoviridae family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Humberto Moreira Hungaro
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora 36036-900, MG, Brazil; (E.C.d.N.); (F.G.d.C.O.)
- Correspondence: (H.M.H.); (M.E.S.L.); Tel.: +55-32-2102-3804 (H.M.H.); +57-310-469-02-04 (M.E.S.L.)
| | - Pedro Marcus Pereira Vidigal
- Núcleo de Análise de Biomoléculas (NuBioMol), Campus da UFV, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil;
| | - Edilane Cristina do Nascimento
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora 36036-900, MG, Brazil; (E.C.d.N.); (F.G.d.C.O.)
| | - Felipe Gomes da Costa Oliveira
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora 36036-900, MG, Brazil; (E.C.d.N.); (F.G.d.C.O.)
| | - Marco Túlio Pardini Gontijo
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-872, SP, Brazil;
| | - Maryoris Elisa Soto Lopez
- Departamento de Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de Córdoba (UNICORDOBA), Córdoba 230002, Colombia
- Correspondence: (H.M.H.); (M.E.S.L.); Tel.: +55-32-2102-3804 (H.M.H.); +57-310-469-02-04 (M.E.S.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
David Hou CF, Swanson NA, Li F, Yang R, Lokareddy RK, Cingolani G. Cryo-EM structure of a kinetically trapped dodecameric portal protein from the Pseudomonas-phage PaP3. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167537. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
11
|
Nale JY, Al-Tayawi TS, Heaphy S, Clokie MRJ. Impact of Phage CDHS-1 on the Transcription, Physiology and Pathogenicity of a Clostridioides difficile Ribotype 027 Strain, R20291. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112262. [PMID: 34835068 PMCID: PMC8619979 DOI: 10.3390/v13112262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
All known Clostridioides difficile phages encode integrases rendering them potentially able to lyse or lysogenise bacterial strains. Here, we observed the infection of the siphovirus, CDHS-1 on a ribotype 027 strain, R20291 and determined the phage and bacterial gene expression profiles, and impacts of phage infection on bacterial physiology and pathogenicity. Using RNA-seq and RT-qPCR we analysed transcriptomic changes during early, mid-log and late phases of phage replication at an MOI of 10. The phage has a 20 min latent period, takes 80 min to lyse cells and a burst size of ~37. All phage genes are highly expressed during at least one time point. The Cro/C1-transcriptional regulator, ssDNA binding protein and helicase are expressed early, the holin is expressed during the mid-log phase and structural proteins are expressed from mid-log to late phase. Most bacterial genes, particularly the metabolism and toxin production/regulatory genes, were downregulated from early phage replication. Phage-resistant strains and lysogens showed reduced virulence during Galleria mellonella colonization as ascertained by the larval survival and expression of growth (10), reproduction (2) and infection (2) marker genes. These data suggest that phage infection both reduces colonization and negatively impacts bacterial pathogenicity, providing encouraging data to support the development of this phage for therapy to treat C. difficile infection.
Collapse
|
12
|
Gabashvili E, Kobakhidze S, Koulouris S, Robinson T, Kotetishvili M. Bi- and Multi-directional Gene Transfer in the Natural Populations of Polyvalent Bacteriophages, and Their Host Species Spectrum Representing Foodborne Versus Other Human and/or Animal Pathogens. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2021; 13:179-202. [PMID: 33484405 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09460-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Unraveling the trends of phage-host versus phage-phage coevolution is critical for avoiding possible undesirable outcomes from the use of phage preparations intended for therapeutic, food safety or environmental safety purposes. We aimed to investigate a phenomenon of intergeneric recombination and its trajectories across the natural populations of phages predominantly linked to foodborne pathogens. The results from the recombination analyses, using a large array of the recombination detection algorithms imbedded in SplitsTree, RDP4, and Simplot software packages, provided strong evidence (fit: 100; P ≤ 0.014) for both bi- and multi-directional intergeneric recombination of the genetic loci involved collectively in phage morphogenesis, host specificity, virulence, replication, and persistence. Intergeneric recombination was determined to occur not only among conspecifics of the virulent versus temperate phages but also between the phages with these different lifestyles. The recombining polyvalent phages were suggested to interact with fairly large host species networks, including sometimes genetically very distinct species, such as e.g., Salmonella enterica and/or Escherichia coli versus Staphylococcus aureus or Yersinia pestis. Further studies are needed to understand whether phage-driven intergeneric recombination can lead to undesirable changes of intestinal and other microbiota in humans and animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterine Gabashvili
- School of Natural Sciences and Medicine, Ilia State University, 1 Giorgi Tsereteli exit, 0162, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Division of Risk Assessment, Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, 6 Marshal Gelovani ave., 0159, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Saba Kobakhidze
- Division of Risk Assessment, Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, 6 Marshal Gelovani ave., 0159, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Stylianos Koulouris
- Engagement and Cooperation Unit, European Food Safety Authority, Via Carlo Magno 1A, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Tobin Robinson
- Scientific Committee, and Emerging Risks Unit, European Food Safety Authority, Via Carlo Magno 1A, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Mamuka Kotetishvili
- Division of Risk Assessment, Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, 6 Marshal Gelovani ave., 0159, Tbilisi, Georgia.
- Hygiene and Medical Ecology, G. Natadze Scientific-Research Institute of Sanitation, 78 D. Uznadze St., 0102, Tbilisi, Georgia.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Niazi M, Florio TJ, Yang R, Lokareddy RK, Swanson NA, Gillilan RE, Cingolani G. Biophysical analysis of Pseudomonas-phage PaP3 small terminase suggests a mechanism for sequence-specific DNA-binding by lateral interdigitation. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:11721-11736. [PMID: 33125059 PMCID: PMC7672466 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome packaging motor of tailed bacteriophages and herpesviruses is a powerful nanomachine built by several copies of a large (TerL) and a small (TerS) terminase subunit. The motor assembles transiently at the portal vertex of an empty precursor capsid (or procapsid) to power genome encapsidation. Terminase subunits have been studied in-depth, especially in classical bacteriophages that infect Escherichia coli or Salmonella, yet, less is known about the packaging motor of Pseudomonas-phages that have increasing biomedical relevance. Here, we investigated the small terminase subunit from three Podoviridae phages that infect Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We found TerS is polymorphic in solution but assembles into a nonamer in its high-affinity heparin-binding conformation. The atomic structure of Pseudomonas phage PaP3 TerS, the first complete structure for a TerS from a cos phage, reveals nine helix-turn-helix (HTH) motifs asymmetrically arranged around a β-stranded channel, too narrow to accommodate DNA. PaP3 TerS binds DNA in a sequence-specific manner in vitro. X-ray scattering and molecular modeling suggest TerS adopts an open conformation in solution, characterized by dynamic HTHs that move around an oligomerization core, generating discrete binding crevices for DNA. We propose a model for sequence-specific recognition of packaging initiation sites by lateral interdigitation of DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Niazi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Tyler J Florio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Ruoyu Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Ravi K Lokareddy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Nicholas A Swanson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Richard E Gillilan
- Macromolecular Diffraction Facility, Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (MacCHESS), Cornell University, 161 Synchrotron Drive, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Gino Cingolani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Weiditch SA, Seraphim TV, Houry WA, Kanelis V. Strategies for purification of the bacteriophage HK97 small and large terminase subunits that yield pure and homogeneous samples that are functional. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 160:45-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
15
|
Reveillaud J, Bordenstein SR, Cruaud C, Shaiber A, Esen ÖC, Weill M, Makoundou P, Lolans K, Watson AR, Rakotoarivony I, Bordenstein SR, Eren AM. The Wolbachia mobilome in Culex pipiens includes a putative plasmid. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1051. [PMID: 30837458 PMCID: PMC6401122 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08973-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia is a genus of obligate intracellular bacteria found in nematodes and arthropods worldwide, including insect vectors that transmit dengue, West Nile, and Zika viruses. Wolbachia's unique ability to alter host reproductive behavior through its temperate bacteriophage WO has enabled the development of new vector control strategies. However, our understanding of Wolbachia's mobilome beyond its bacteriophages is incomplete. Here, we reconstruct near-complete Wolbachia genomes from individual ovary metagenomes of four wild Culex pipiens mosquitoes captured in France. In addition to viral genes missing from the Wolbachia reference genome, we identify a putative plasmid (pWCP), consisting of a 9.23-kbp circular element with 14 genes. We validate its presence in additional Culex pipiens mosquitoes using PCR, long-read sequencing, and screening of existing metagenomes. The discovery of this previously unrecognized extrachromosomal element opens additional possibilities for genetic manipulation of Wolbachia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Reveillaud
- ASTRE, INRA, CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, 34398, France.
| | - Sarah R Bordenstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 37235, TN, USA
| | - Corinne Cruaud
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Genoscope, Evry, 91057, France
| | - Alon Shaiber
- Graduate Program in the Biophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, 60637, IL, USA
| | - Özcan C Esen
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, 60637, IL, USA
| | - Mylène Weill
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM), UMR CNRS-IRD-EPHE-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, 34095, France
| | - Patrick Makoundou
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM), UMR CNRS-IRD-EPHE-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, 34095, France
| | - Karen Lolans
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, 60637, IL, USA
| | - Andrea R Watson
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, 60637, IL, USA
| | | | - Seth R Bordenstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 37235, TN, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 37235, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 37235, TN, USA
| | - A Murat Eren
- Graduate Program in the Biophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, 60637, IL, USA.
- Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, 02543, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Investigation of recombination-intense viral groups and their genes in the Earth's virome. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11496. [PMID: 30065291 PMCID: PMC6068154 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29272-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages), or bacterial viruses, are the most abundant and diverse biological entities that impact the global ecosystem. Recent advances in metagenomics have revealed their rampant abundance in the biosphere. A fundamental aspect of bacteriophages that remains unexplored in metagenomic data is the process of recombination as a driving force in evolution that occurs among different viruses within the same bacterial host. Here, we systematically examined signatures of recombination in every gene from 211 species-level viral groups in a recently obtained dataset of the Earth’s virome that contain corresponding information on the host bacterial species. Our study revealed that signatures of recombination are widespread (84%) among the diverse viral groups. We identified 25 recombination-intense viral groups, widely distributed across the viral taxonomy, and present in bacterial species living in the human oral cavity. We also revealed a significant inverse association between the recombination-intense viral groups and Type II restriction endonucleases, that could be effective in reducing recombination among phages in a cell. Furthermore, we identified recombination-intense genes that are significantly enriched for encoding phage morphogenesis proteins. Changes in the viral genomic sequence by recombination may be important to escape cleavage by the host bacterial immune systems.
Collapse
|
17
|
Li E, Yin Z, Ma Y, Li H, Lin W, Wei X, Zhao R, Jiang A, Yuan J, Zhao X. Identification and molecular characterization of bacteriophage phiAxp-2 of Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34300. [PMID: 27669904 PMCID: PMC5037462 DOI: 10.1038/srep34300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel Achromobacter xylosoxidans bacteriophage, phiAxp-2, was isolated from hospital sewage in China. The phage was morphologically and microbiologically characterized, and its one-step growth curve, host range, genomic sequence, and receptor were determined. Its morphology showed that phiAxp-2 belongs to the family Siphoviridae. Microbiological characterization demonstrated that pH 7 is most suitable for phage phiAxp-2; its titer decreased when the temperature exceeded 50 °C; phiAxp-2 is sensitive to ethanol and isopropanol; and the presence of calcium and magnesium ions is necessary to accelerate cell lysis and improve the formation of phiAxp-2 plaques. Genomic sequencing and a bioinformatic analysis showed that phage phiAxp-2 is a novel bacteriophage, consisting of a circular, double-stranded 62,220-bp DNA molecule with a GC content of 60.11% that encodes 86 putative open reading frames (ORFs). The lipopolysaccharide of A. xylosoxidans is involved in the adsorption of phiAxp-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erna Li
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zhe Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Yanyan Ma
- College of Food Science, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Huan Li
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Weishi Lin
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Xiao Wei
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Ruixiang Zhao
- College of Food Science, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Aimin Jiang
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Xiangna Zhao
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Global Transcriptomic Analysis of Interactions between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacteriophage PaP3. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19237. [PMID: 26750429 PMCID: PMC4707531 DOI: 10.1038/srep19237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The interactions between Bacteriophage (phage) and host bacteria are widespread in nature and influences of phage replication on the host cells are complex and extensive. Here, we investigate genome-wide interactions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and its temperate phage PaP3 at five time points during phage infection. Compared to the uninfected host, 38% (2160/5633) genes of phage-infected host were identified as differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional analysis of the repressed DEGs revealed infection-stage-dependent pathway communications. Based on gene co-expression analysis, most PaP3 middle genes were predicted to have negative impact on host transcriptional regulators. Sub-network enrichment analysis revealed that adjacent genes of PaP3 interacted with the same host genes and might possess similar functions. Finally, our results suggested that during the whole infection stage, the early genes of PaP3 had stronger regulatory role in host gene expression than middle and late genes, while the host genes involved amino acid metabolism were the most “vulnerable” targets of these phage genes. This work provides the basis for understanding survival mechanisms of parasites and host, and seeking phage gene products that could potentially be used in anti-bacterial infection.
Collapse
|
19
|
Eller MR, Vidigal PMP, Salgado RL, Alves MP, Dias RS, da Silva CC, de Carvalho AF, Kropinski A, De Paula SO. UFV-P2 as a member of the Luz24likevirus genus: a new overview on comparative functional genome analyses of the LUZ24-like phages. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:7. [PMID: 24384011 PMCID: PMC3890496 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Phages infecting spoilage microorganisms have been considered as alternative biocontrol agents, and the study of their genomes is essential to their safe use in foods. UFV-P2 is a new Pseudomonas fluorescens-specific phage that has been tested for its ability to inhibit milk proteolysis. Results The genome of the phage UFV-P2 is composed of bidirectional modules and presented 75 functionally predict ORFs, forming clusters of early and late transcription. Further genomic comparisons of Pseudomonas-specific phages showed that these viruses could be classified according to conserved segments that appear be free from genome rearrangements, called locally collinear blocks (LCBs). In addition, the genome organization of the phage UFV-P2 was shown to be similar to that of phages PaP3 and LUZ24 which have recently been classified as a Luz24likevirus. Conclusions We have presented the functional annotation of UFV-P2, a new Pseudomonas fluorescens phage. Based on structural genomic comparison and phylogenetic clustering, we suggest the classification of UFV-P2 in the Luz24likevirus genus, and present a set of shared locally collinear blocks as the genomic signature for this genus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sérgio O De Paula
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunovirology, Federal University of Viçosa, Av, PH Rolfs, s/n, Campus da UFV, Viçosa, Minas Gerais 36570-000, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|