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Jo D, Kim H, Lee Y, Kim J, Ryu S. Characterization and genomic study of EJP2, a novel jumbo phage targeting antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1194435. [PMID: 37250060 PMCID: PMC10213699 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1194435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Escherichia coli has noticeably increased in recent years worldwide and causes serious public health concerns. As alternatives to antibiotics, bacteriophages are regarded as promising antimicrobial agents. In this study, we isolated and characterized a novel jumbo phage EJP2 that specifically targets AMR E. coli strains. EJP2 belonged to the Myoviridae family with an icosahedral head (120.9 ± 2.9 nm) and a non-contractile tail (111.1 ± 0.6 nm), and contained 349,185 bp double-stranded DNA genome with 540 putative ORFs, suggesting that EJP2 could be classified as jumbo phage. The functions of genes identified in EJP2 genome were mainly related to nucleotide metabolism, DNA replication, and recombination. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that EJP2 was categorized in the group of Rak2-related virus and presented low sequence similarity at the nucleotide and amino acid level compared to other E. coli jumbo phages. EJP2 had a broad host spectrum against AMR E. coli as well as pathogenic E. coli and recognized LPS as a receptor for infection. Moreover, EJP2 treatment could remove over 80% of AMR E. coli biofilms on 96-well polystyrene, and exhibit synergistic antimicrobial activity with cefotaxime against AMR E. coli. These results suggest that jumbo phage EJP2 could be used as a potential biocontrol agent to combat the AMR issue in food processing and clinical environments.
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Genomic analysis of bacteriophage Xoo-sp13 infecting Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Arch Virol 2021; 166:1263-1265. [PMID: 33585960 PMCID: PMC7970823 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-04985-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is a bacterial pathogen that gives rise to diseases in rice all over the world. A bacteriophage infecting this bacterium was isolated from rice fields in China. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this phage, which has a linear dsDNA genome of 309,023 bp and a G + C content of 42.43%. It contains 401 open reading frames and encodes 28 tRNAs. It belongs to the family Myoviridae and has a broad host range, making it a possible candidate for phage therapy.
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Loh B, Chen J, Manohar P, Yu Y, Hua X, Leptihn S. A Biological Inventory of Prophages in A. baumannii Genomes Reveal Distinct Distributions in Classes, Length, and Genomic Positions. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:579802. [PMID: 33343523 PMCID: PMC7744312 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.579802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is of major clinical importance as the bacterial pathogen often causes hospital acquired infections, further complicated by the high prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains. Aside from natural tolerance to certain antibiotic classes, resistance is often acquired by the exchange of genetic information via conjugation but also by the high natural competence exhibited by A. baumannii. In addition, bacteriophages are able to introduce resistance genes but also toxins and virulence factors via phage mediated transduction. In this work, we analyzed the complete genomes of 177 A. baumannii strains for the occurrence of prophages, and analyzed their taxonomy, size and positions of insertion. Among all the prophages that were detected, Siphoviridae and Myoviridae were the two most commonly found families, while the average genome size was determined to be approximately 4 Mbp. Our data shows the wide variation in the number of prophages in A. baumannii genomes and the prevalence of certain prophages within strains that are most "successful" or potentially beneficial to the host. Our study also revealed that only two specific sites of insertion within the genome of the host bacterium are being used, with few exceptions only. Lastly, we analyzed the existence of genes that are encoded in the prophages, which may confer antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Several phages carry AMR genes, including OXA-23 and NDM-1, illustrating the importance of lysogenic phages in the acquisition of resistance genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Loh
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | - Jiayuan Chen
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | - Prasanth Manohar
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | - Yunsong Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoting Hua
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sebastian Leptihn
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- University of Edinburgh Medical School, Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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4
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Wyrsch ER, Chowdhury PR, Wallis L, Cummins ML, Zingali T, Brandis KJ, Djordjevic SP. Whole-genome sequence analysis of environmental Escherichia coli from the faeces of straw-necked ibis ( Threskiornis spinicollis) nesting on inland wetlands. Microb Genom 2020; 6:e000385. [PMID: 32519939 PMCID: PMC7371105 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife, and birds in particular, play an increasingly recognized role in the evolution and transmission of Escherichia coli that pose a threat to humans. To characterize these lineages and their potential threat from an evolutionary perspective, we isolated and performed whole-genome sequencing on 11 sequence types (STs) of E. coli recovered from the desiccated faeces of straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) nesting on inland wetlands located in geographically different regions of New South Wales, Australia. Carriage of virulence-associated genes was limited, and no antimicrobial resistance genes were detected, but novel variants of an insertion element that plays an important role in capturing and mobilizing antibiotic resistance genes, IS26, were identified and characterized. The isolates belonged to phylogroups B1 and D, including types known to cause disease in humans and animals. Specifically, we found E. coli ST58, ST69, ST162, ST212, ST446, ST906, ST2520, ST6096 and ST6241, and a novel phylogroup D strain, ST10208. Notably, the ST58 strain hosted significant virulence gene carriage. The sequences of two plasmids hosting putative virulence-associated factors with incompatibility groups I1 and Y, an extrachromosomal integrative/conjugative element, and a variant of a large Escherichia phage of the family Myoviridae, were additionally characterized. We identified multiple epidemiologically relevant gene signatures that link the ibis isolates to sequences from international sources, plus novel variants of IS26 across different sequence types and in different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan R. Wyrsch
- ithree institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
- The Australian Centre for Genomic Epidemiological Microbiology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Piklu Roy Chowdhury
- ithree institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
- The Australian Centre for Genomic Epidemiological Microbiology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Louise Wallis
- ithree institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Max L. Cummins
- ithree institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
- The Australian Centre for Genomic Epidemiological Microbiology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Tiziana Zingali
- ithree institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
- The Australian Centre for Genomic Epidemiological Microbiology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Kate J. Brandis
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, 2052 NSW, Australia
| | - Steven P. Djordjevic
- ithree institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
- The Australian Centre for Genomic Epidemiological Microbiology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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Lood C, Danis‐Wlodarczyk K, Blasdel BG, Jang HB, Vandenheuvel D, Briers Y, Noben J, van Noort V, Drulis‐Kawa Z, Lavigne R. Integrative omics analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virus PA5oct highlights the molecular complexity of jumbo phages. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:2165-2181. [PMID: 32154616 PMCID: PMC7318152 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas virus vB_PaeM_PA5oct is proposed as a model jumbo bacteriophage to investigate phage-bacteria interactions and is a candidate for phage therapy applications. Combining hybrid sequencing, RNA-Seq and mass spectrometry allowed us to accurately annotate its 286,783 bp genome with 461 coding regions including four non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and 93 virion-associated proteins. PA5oct relies on the host RNA polymerase for the infection cycle and RNA-Seq revealed a gradual take-over of the total cell transcriptome from 21% in early infection to 93% in late infection. PA5oct is not organized into strictly contiguous regions of temporal transcription, but some genomic regions transcribed in early, middle and late phases of infection can be discriminated. Interestingly, we observe regions showing limited transcription activity throughout the infection cycle. We show that PA5oct upregulates specific bacterial operons during infection including operons pncA-pncB1-nadE involved in NAD biosynthesis, psl for exopolysaccharide biosynthesis and nap for periplasmic nitrate reductase production. We also observe a downregulation of T4P gene products suggesting mechanisms of superinfection exclusion. We used the proteome of PA5oct to position our isolate amongst other phages using a gene-sharing network. This integrative omics study illustrates the molecular diversity of jumbo viruses and raises new questions towards cellular regulation and phage-encoded hijacking mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Lood
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Laboratory of Computational Systems Biology, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Katarzyna Danis‐Wlodarczyk
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Department of Pathogen Biology and ImmunologyInstitute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of WroclawWroclawPoland
| | - Bob G. Blasdel
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Ho Bin Jang
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Dieter Vandenheuvel
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Yves Briers
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Jean‐Paul Noben
- Biomedical Research Institute and Transnational University LimburgHasselt UniversityDiepenbeekBelgium
| | - Vera van Noort
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Laboratory of Computational Systems Biology, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Institute of Biology, Leiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Zuzanna Drulis‐Kawa
- Department of Pathogen Biology and ImmunologyInstitute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of WroclawWroclawPoland
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
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Wagemans J, Tsonos J, Holtappels D, Fortuna K, Hernalsteens JP, De Greve H, Estrozi LF, Bacia-Verloop M, Moriscot C, Noben JP, Schoehn G, Lavigne R. Structural Analysis of Jumbo Coliphage phAPEC6. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093119. [PMID: 32354127 PMCID: PMC7247149 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The phAPEC6 genome encodes 551 predicted gene products, with the vast majority (83%) of unknown function. Of these, 62 have been identified as virion-associated proteins by mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), including the major capsid protein (Gp225; present in 1620 copies), which shows a HK97 capsid protein-based fold. Cryo-electron microscopy experiments showed that the 350-kbp DNA molecule of Escherichia coli virus phAPEC6 is packaged in at least 15 concentric layers in the phage capsid. A capsid inner body rod is also present, measuring about 91 nm by 18 nm and oriented along the portal axis. In the phAPEC6 contractile tail, 25 hexameric stacked rings can be distinguished, built of the identified tail sheath protein (Gp277). Cryo-EM reconstruction reveals the base of the unique hairy fibers observed during an initial transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. These very unusual filaments are ordered at three annular positions along the contractile sheath, as well as around the capsid, and may be involved in host interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Wagemans
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21—box 2462, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (J.W.); (J.T.); (D.H.); (K.F.)
| | - Jessica Tsonos
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21—box 2462, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (J.W.); (J.T.); (D.H.); (K.F.)
- Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium;
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Dominique Holtappels
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21—box 2462, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (J.W.); (J.T.); (D.H.); (K.F.)
| | - Kiandro Fortuna
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21—box 2462, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (J.W.); (J.T.); (D.H.); (K.F.)
| | | | - Henri De Greve
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;
- VIB Center for Structural Biology, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Leandro F. Estrozi
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (L.F.E.); (M.B.-V.)
| | - Maria Bacia-Verloop
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (L.F.E.); (M.B.-V.)
| | - Christine Moriscot
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, EMBL, Integrated Structural Biology Grenoble (ISBG), F-38042 Grenoble, France;
| | - Jean-Paul Noben
- Biomedical Research Institute and Transnational University Limburg, Hasselt University, Agoralaan D, 3590 Hasselt, Belgium;
| | - Guy Schoehn
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (L.F.E.); (M.B.-V.)
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (R.L.); Tel.: +33-4-5742-8568 (G.S.); +32-16-3795-24 (R.L.)
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21—box 2462, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (J.W.); (J.T.); (D.H.); (K.F.)
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (R.L.); Tel.: +33-4-5742-8568 (G.S.); +32-16-3795-24 (R.L.)
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7
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A Puzzling Anomaly in the 4-Mer Composition of the Giant Pandoravirus Genomes Reveals a Stringent New Evolutionary Selection Process. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.01206-19. [PMID: 31534042 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01206-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pandoraviridae is a rapidly growing family of giant viruses, all of which have been isolated using laboratory strains of Acanthamoeba The genomes of 10 distinct strains have been fully characterized, reaching up to 2.5 Mb in size. These double-stranded DNA genomes encode the largest of all known viral proteomes and are propagated in oblate virions that are among the largest ever described (1.2 μm long and 0.5 μm wide). The evolutionary origin of these atypical viruses is the object of numerous speculations. Applying the chaos game representation to the pandoravirus genome sequences, we discovered that the tetranucleotide (4-mer) "AGCT" is totally absent from the genomes of 2 strains (Pandoravirus dulcis and Pandoravirus quercus) and strongly underrepresented in others. Given the amazingly low probability of such an observation in the corresponding randomized sequences, we investigated its biological significance through a comprehensive study of the 4-mer compositions of all viral genomes. Our results indicate that AGCT was specifically eliminated during the evolution of the Pandoraviridae and that none of the previously proposed host-virus antagonistic relationships could explain this phenomenon. Unlike the three other families of giant viruses (Mimiviridae, Pithoviridae, and Molliviridae) infecting the same Acanthamoeba host, the pandoraviruses exhibit a puzzling genomic anomaly suggesting a highly specific DNA editing in response to a new kind of strong evolutionary pressure.IMPORTANCE Recent years have seen the discovery of several families of giant DNA viruses infecting the ubiquitous amoebozoa of the genus Acanthamoeba With double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes reaching 2.5 Mb in length packaged in oblate particles the size of a bacterium, the pandoraviruses are currently the most complex and largest viruses known. In addition to their spectacular dimensions, the pandoraviruses encode the largest proportion of proteins without homologs in other organisms, which is thought to result from a de novo gene creation process. While using comparative genomics to investigate the evolutionary forces responsible for the emergence of such an unusual giant virus family, we discovered a unique bias in the tetranucleotide composition of the pandoravirus genomes that can result only from an undescribed evolutionary process not encountered in any other microorganism.
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Korf IHE, Meier-Kolthoff JP, Adriaenssens EM, Kropinski AM, Nimtz M, Rohde M, van Raaij MJ, Wittmann J. Still Something to Discover: Novel Insights into Escherichia coli Phage Diversity and Taxonomy. Viruses 2019; 11:E454. [PMID: 31109012 PMCID: PMC6563267 DOI: 10.3390/v11050454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to gain further insight into the diversity of Escherichia coli phagesfollowed by enhanced work on taxonomic issues in that field. Therefore, we present the genomiccharacterization and taxonomic classification of 50 bacteriophages against E. coli isolated fromvarious sources, such as manure or sewage. All phages were examined for their host range on a setof different E. coli strains, originating, e.g., from human diagnostic laboratories or poultry farms.Transmission electron microscopy revealed a diversity of morphotypes (70% Myo-, 22% Sipho-, and8% Podoviruses), and genome sequencing resulted in genomes sizes from ~44 to ~370 kb.Annotation and comparison with databases showed similarities in particular to T4- and T5-likephages, but also to less-known groups. Though various phages against E. coli are already describedin literature and databases, we still isolated phages that showed no or only few similarities to otherphages, namely phages Goslar, PTXU04, and KWBSE43-6. Genome-based phylogeny andclassification of the newly isolated phages using VICTOR resulted in the proposal of new generaand led to an enhanced taxonomic classification of E. coli phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imke H E Korf
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ⁻German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, 38124 Braunschweig,Germany.
| | - Jan P Meier-Kolthoff
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ⁻German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, 38124 Braunschweig,Germany.
| | | | - Andrew M Kropinski
- Departments of Food Science and Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Manfred Nimtz
- Protein Analytics Platform, Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 38124 Braunschweig,Germany.
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 38124 Braunschweig,Germany.
| | - Mark J van Raaij
- Department of Macromolecular Structure, Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia CNB-CSIC, 28049 Madrid,Spain.
| | - Johannes Wittmann
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ⁻German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, 38124 Braunschweig,Germany.
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9
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Cha K, Oh HK, Jang JY, Jo Y, Kim WK, Ha GU, Ko KS, Myung H. Characterization of Two Novel Bacteriophages Infecting Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii and Evaluation of Their Therapeutic Efficacy in Vivo. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:696. [PMID: 29755420 PMCID: PMC5932359 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is emerging as a challenging nosocomial pathogen due to its rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance. We report characterization of two novel bacteriophages, PBAB08 and PBAB25, infecting clinically isolated, multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii strains. Both phages belonged to Myoviridae of Caudovirales as their morphology observed under an electron microscope. Their genomes were double stranded linear DNAs of 42,312 base pairs and 40,260 base pairs, respectively. The two phages were distinct from known Acinetobacter phages when whole genome sequences were compared. PBAB08 showed a 99% similarity with 57% sequence coverage to phage AB1 and PBAB25 showed a 97% similarity with 78% sequence coverage to phage IME_AB3. BLASTN significant alignment coverage of all other known phages were <30%. Seventy six and seventy genes encoding putative phage proteins were found in the genomes of PBAB08 and PBAB25, respectively. Their genomic organizations and sequence similarities were consistent with the modular theory of phage evolution. Therapeutic efficacy of a phage cocktail containing the two and other phages were evaluated in a mice model with nasal infection of MDR A. baumannii. Mice treated with the phage cocktail showed a 2.3-fold higher survival rate than those untreated in 7 days post infection. In addition, 1/100 reduction of the number of A. baumannii in the lung of the mice treated with the phage cocktail was observed. Also, inflammatory responses of mice which were injected with the phage cocktail by intraperitoneal, intranasal, or oral route was investigated. Increase in serum cytokine was minimal regardless of the injection route. A 20% increase in IgE production was seen in intraperitoneal injection route, but not in other routes. Thus, the cocktail containing the two newly isolated phages could serve as a potential candidate for therapeutic interventions to treat A. baummannii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoungeun Cha
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea.,The Bacteriophage Bank of Korea, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Hynu K Oh
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Jae Y Jang
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Yunyeol Jo
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Won K Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Geon U Ha
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
| | - Kwan S Ko
- Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyukwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Heejoon Myung
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea.,The Bacteriophage Bank of Korea, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, South Korea
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10
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Abstract
Xanthomonas virus (phage) XacN1 is a novel jumbo myovirus infecting Xanthomonas citri, the causative agent of Asian citrus canker. Its linear 384,670 bp double-stranded DNA genome encodes 592 proteins and presents the longest (66 kbp) direct terminal repeats (DTRs) among sequenced viral genomes. The DTRs harbor 56 tRNA genes, which correspond to all 20 amino acids and represent the largest number of tRNA genes reported in a viral genome. Codon usage analysis revealed a propensity for the phage encoded tRNAs to target codons that are highly used by the phage but less frequently by its host. The existence of these tRNA genes and seven additional translation-related genes as well as a chaperonin gene found in the XacN1 genome suggests a relative independence of phage replication on host molecular machinery, leading to a prediction of a wide host range for this jumbo phage. We confirmed the prediction by showing a wider host range of XacN1 than other X. citri phages in an infection test against a panel of host strains. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a clade of phages composed of XacN1 and ten other jumbo phages, indicating an evolutionary stable large genome size for this group of phages.
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11
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Abstract
Tailed bacteriophages with genomes larger than 200 kbp are classified as Jumbo phages, and are rarely isolated by conventional methods. These phages are designated “jumbo” owing to their most notable features of a large phage virion and large genome size. However, in addition to these, jumbo phages also exhibit several novel characteristics that have not been observed for phages with smaller genomes, which differentiate jumbo phages in terms of genome organization, virion structure, progeny propagation, and evolution. In this review, we summarize available reports on jumbo phages and discuss the differences between jumbo phages and small-genome phages. We also discuss data suggesting that jumbo phages might have evolved from phages with smaller genomes by acquiring additional functional genes, and that these additional genes reduce the dependence of the jumbo phages on the host bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Wuhan, PR, China
| | - Meiying Gao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Wuhan, PR, China
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12
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Buttimer C, Hendrix H, Oliveira H, Casey A, Neve H, McAuliffe O, Ross RP, Hill C, Noben JP, O'Mahony J, Lavigne R, Coffey A. Things Are Getting Hairy: Enterobacteria Bacteriophage vB_PcaM_CBB. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:44. [PMID: 28174560 PMCID: PMC5259590 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterobacteria phage vB_PcaM_CBB is a "jumbo" phage belonging to the family Myoviridae. It possesses highly atypical whisker-like structures along the length of its contractile tail. It has a broad host range with the capability of infecting species of the genera Erwinia, Pectobacterium, and Cronobacter. With a genome of 355,922 bp, excluding a predicted terminal repeat of 22,456 bp, phage CBB is the third largest phage sequenced to date. Its genome was predicted to encode 554 ORFs with 33 tRNAs. Based on prediction and proteome analysis of the virions, 29% of its predicted ORFs could be functionally assigned. Protein comparison shows that CBB shares between 33-38% of its proteins with Cronobacter phage GAP32, coliphages PBECO4 and 121Q as well as Klebsiella phage vB_KleM_Rak2. This work presents a detailed and comparative analysis of vB_PcaM_CBB of a highly atypical jumbo myoviridae phage, contributing to a better understanding of phage diversity and biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Buttimer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of TechnologyCork, Ireland
| | - Hanne Hendrix
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU LeuvenLeuven, Belgium
| | - Hugo Oliveira
- Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal
| | - Aidan Casey
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark Fermoy, Co.Cork, Ireland
| | - Horst Neve
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-InstitutKiel, Germany
| | - Olivia McAuliffe
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark Fermoy, Co.Cork, Ireland
| | - R. Paul Ross
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark Fermoy, Co.Cork, Ireland
| | - Colin Hill
- APC Microbiome Institute and School of Microbiology, University CollegeCork, Ireland
| | - Jean-Paul Noben
- Biomedical Research Institute and Transnational University Limburg, Hasselt UniversityDiepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jim O'Mahony
- Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of TechnologyCork, Ireland
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU LeuvenLeuven, Belgium
| | - Aidan Coffey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of TechnologyCork, Ireland
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Abstract
Bacteriophage vB_Eco_slurp01 was isolated from porcine feces using Escherichia coli MG1655 as a host. With a genome size of 348 kb, vB_Eco_slurp01 is one of the largest bacteriophages isolated to date.
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14
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Speciation and ecological success in dimly lit waters: horizontal gene transfer in a green sulfur bacteria bloom unveiled by metagenomic assembly. ISME JOURNAL 2016; 11:201-211. [PMID: 27392085 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2016.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A natural planktonic bloom of a brown-pigmented photosynthetic green sulfur bacteria (GSB) from the disphotic zone of karstic Lake Banyoles (NE Spain) was studied as a natural enrichment culture from which a nearly complete genome was obtained after metagenomic assembly. We showed in situ a case where horizontal gene transfer (HGT) explained the ecological success of a natural population unveiling ecosystem-specific adaptations. The uncultured brown-pigmented GSB was 99.7% identical in the 16S rRNA gene sequence to its green-pigmented cultured counterpart Chlorobium luteolum DSM 273T. Several differences were detected for ferrous iron acquisition potential, ATP synthesis and gas vesicle formation, although the most striking trait was related to pigment biosynthesis strategy. Chl. luteolum DSM 273T synthesizes bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c, whereas Chl. luteolum CIII incorporated by HGT a 18-kbp cluster with the genes needed for BChl e and specific carotenoids biosynthesis that provided ecophysiological advantages to successfully colonize the dimly lit waters. We also genomically characterized what we believe to be the first described GSB phage, which based on the metagenomic coverage was likely in an active state of lytic infection. Overall, we observed spread HGT and we unveiled clear evidence for virus-mediated HGT in a natural population of photosynthetic GSB.
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15
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Phage-encoded colanic acid-degrading enzyme permits lytic phage infection of a capsule-forming resistant mutant Escherichia coli strain. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014; 81:900-9. [PMID: 25416767 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02606-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we isolated a bacteriophage T7-resistant mutant strain of Escherichia coli (named S3) and then proceeded to characterize it. The mutant bacterial colonies appeared to be mucoid. Microarray analysis revealed that genes related to colanic acid production were upregulated in the mutant. Increases in colanic acid production by the mutant bacteria were observed when l-fucose was measured biochemically, and protective capsule formation was observed under an electron microscope. We found a point mutation in the lon gene promoter in S3, the mutant bacterium. Overproduction of colanic acid was observed in some phage-resistant mutant bacteria after infection with other bacteriophages, T4 and lambda. Colanic acid overproduction was also observed in clinical isolates of E. coli upon phage infection. The overproduction of colanic acid resulted in the inhibition of bacteriophage adsorption to the host. Biofilm formation initially decreased shortly after infection but eventually increased after 48 h of incubation due to the emergence of the mutant bacteria. Bacteriophage PBECO4 was shown to infect the colanic acid-overproducing mutant strains of E. coli. We confirmed that the gene product of open reading frame 547 (ORF547) of PBECO4 harbored colanic acid-degrading enzymatic (CAE) activity. Treatment of the T7-resistant bacteria with both T7 and PBECO4 or its purified enzyme (CAE) led to successful T7 infection. Biofilm formation decreased with the mixed infection, too. This procedure, using a phage cocktail different from those exploiting solely receptor differences, represents a novel strategy for overcoming phage resistance in mutant bacteria.
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16
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Abbasifar R, Griffiths MW, Sabour PM, Ackermann HW, Vandersteegen K, Lavigne R, Noben JP, Alanis Villa A, Abbasifar A, Nash JHE, Kropinski AM. Supersize me: Cronobacter sakazakii phage GAP32. Virology 2014; 460-461:138-46. [PMID: 25010279 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Revised: 01/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Cronobacter sakazakii is a Gram-negative pathogen found in milk-based formulae that causes infant meningitis. Bacteriophages have been proposed to control bacterial pathogens; however, comprehensive knowledge about a phage is required to ensure its safety before clinical application. We have characterized C. sakazakii phage vB_CsaM_GAP32 (GAP32), which possesses the second largest sequenced phage genome (358,663bp). A total of 571 genes including 545 protein coding sequences and 26 tRNAs were identified, thus more genes than in the smallest bacterium, Mycoplasma genitalium G37. BLASTP and HHpred searches, together with proteomic analyses reveal that only 23.9% of the putative proteins have defined functions. Some of the unique features of this phage include: a chromosome condensation protein, two copies of the large subunit terminase, a predicted signal-arrest-release lysin; and an RpoD-like protein, which is possibly involved in the switch from immediate early to delayed early transcription. Its closest relatives are all extremely large myoviruses, namely coliphage PBECO4 and Klebsiella phage vB_KleM-RaK2, with whom it shares approximately 44% homologous proteins. Since the homologs are not evenly distributed, we propose that these three phages belong to a new subfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Abbasifar
- Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Mansel W Griffiths
- Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Parviz M Sabour
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph Food Research Centre, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 5C9
| | - Hans-Wolfgang Ackermann
- Department of Microbiology-Infectiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | | | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Paul Noben
- Biomedical Research Institute and Transnational University Limburg, School of Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Argentina Alanis Villa
- Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Arash Abbasifar
- Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - John H E Nash
- Public Health Agency of Canada, Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 3W4
| | - Andrew M Kropinski
- Public Health Agency of Canada, Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 3W4; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1.
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17
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Drulis-Kawa Z, Olszak T, Danis K, Majkowska-Skrobek G, Ackermann HW. A giant Pseudomonas phage from Poland. Arch Virol 2014; 159:567-72. [PMID: 24072472 PMCID: PMC3936114 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-013-1844-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A novel giant phage of the family Myoviridae is described. Pseudomonas phage PA5oct was isolated from a sewage sample from an irrigated field near Wroclaw, Poland. The virion morphology indicates that PA5oct differs from known giant phages. The phage has a head of about 131 nm in diameter and a tail of 136 × 19 nm. Phage PA5oct contains a genome of approximately 375 kbp and differs in size from any tailed phages known. PA5oct was further characterized by determination of its latent period and burst size and its sensitivity to heating, chloroform, and pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa
- Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148, Wroclaw, Poland,
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