1
|
Podgorski JM, Freeman K, Gosselin S, Huet A, Conway JF, Bird M, Grecco J, Patel S, Jacobs-Sera D, Hatfull G, Gogarten JP, Ravantti J, White SJ. A structural dendrogram of the actinobacteriophage major capsid proteins provides important structural insights into the evolution of capsid stability. Structure 2023; 31:282-294.e5. [PMID: 36649709 PMCID: PMC10071307 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Many double-stranded DNA viruses, including tailed bacteriophages (phages) and herpesviruses, use the HK97-fold in their major capsid protein to make the capsomers of the icosahedral viral capsid. After the genome packaging at near-crystalline densities, the capsid is subjected to a major expansion and stabilization step that allows it to withstand environmental stresses and internal high pressure. Several different mechanisms for stabilizing the capsid have been structurally characterized, but how these mechanisms have evolved is still not understood. Using cryo-EM structure determination of 10 capsids, structural comparisons, phylogenetic analyses, and Alphafold predictions, we have constructed a detailed structural dendrogram describing the evolution of capsid structural stability within the actinobacteriophages. We show that the actinobacteriophage major capsid proteins can be classified into 15 groups based upon their HK97-fold.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Podgorski
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - Krista Freeman
- Clapp Hall, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4249 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Sophia Gosselin
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - Alexis Huet
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - James F Conway
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mary Bird
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - John Grecco
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - Shreya Patel
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - Deborah Jacobs-Sera
- Clapp Hall, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4249 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Graham Hatfull
- Clapp Hall, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4249 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Johann Peter Gogarten
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA; Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268-3125, USA
| | - Janne Ravantti
- University of Helsinki, Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Simon J White
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recent years have seen great strides made in the field of viral metagenomics. Many studies have reported alterations in the virome in different disease states. The vast majority of the human intestinal virome consists of bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria. The dynamic relationship between gut bacterial populations and bacteriophages is influenced by environmental factors that also impact host health and disease. In this review, we focus on studies highlighting the dynamics of the gut virome and fluctuations associated with disease states. RECENT FINDINGS Novel correlations have been identified between the human gut virome and diseases such as obesity, necrotizing enterocolitis and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Further associations between the virome and cognition, diet and geography highlight the complexity of factors that can influence the dynamic relationship between gut bacteria, bacteriophages and health. SUMMARY Here, we highlight some novel associations between the virome and health that will be the foundation for future studies in this field. The future development of microbiome-based interventions, identification of biomarkers, and novel therapeutics will require a thorough understanding of the gut virome and its dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiba Shareefdeen
- APC Microbiome Ireland.,School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Colin Hill
- APC Microbiome Ireland.,School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Calcuttawala F, Shaw R, Sarbajna A, Dutta M, Sinha S, K. Das Gupta S. Apoptosis like symptoms associated with abortive infection of Mycobacterium smegmatis by mycobacteriophage D29. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0259480. [PMID: 35580120 PMCID: PMC9113562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacteriophages are phages that infect mycobacteria resulting in their killing. Although lysis is the primary mechanism by which mycobacteriophages cause cell death, others such as abortive infection may also be involved. We took recourse to perform immunofluorescence and electron microscopic studies using mycobacteriophage D29 infected Mycobacterium smegmatis cells to investigate this issue. We could observe the intricate details of the infection process using these techniques such as adsorption, the phage tail penetrating the thick mycolic acid layer, formation of membrane pores, membrane blebbing, and phage release. We observed a significant increase in DNA fragmentation and membrane depolarization using cell-biological techniques symptomatic of programmed cell death (PCD). As Toxin-Antitoxin (TA) systems mediate bacterial PCD, we measured their expression profiles with and without phage infection. Of the three TAs examined, MazEF, VapBC, and phd/doc, we found that in the case of VapBC, a significant decrease in the antitoxin (VapB): toxin (VapC) ratio was observed following phage infection, implying that high VapC may have a role to play in the induction of mycobacterial apoptotic cell death following phage infection. This study indicates that D29 infection causes mycobacteria to undergo morphological and molecular changes that are hallmarks of apoptotic cell death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatema Calcuttawala
- Department of Microbiology, Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata, India
- * E-mail:
| | - Rahul Shaw
- Department of Microbiology, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Arpita Sarbajna
- Division of Electron Microscopy, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India
| | - Moumita Dutta
- Division of Electron Microscopy, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Harada LK, Júnior WB, Silva EC, Oliveira TJ, Moreli FC, Júnior JMO, Tubino M, Vila MMDC, Balcão VM. Bacteriophage-Based Biosensing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: An Integrated Approach for the Putative Real-Time Detection of Multi-Drug-Resistant Strains. BIOSENSORS-BASEL 2021; 11:bios11040124. [PMID: 33921071 PMCID: PMC8071457 DOI: 10.3390/bios11040124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
During the last decennium, it has become widely accepted that ubiquitous bacterial viruses, or bacteriophages, exert enormous influences on our planet’s biosphere, killing between 4–50% of the daily produced bacteria and constituting the largest genetic diversity pool on our planet. Currently, bacterial infections linked to healthcare services are widespread, which, when associated with the increasing surge of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, play a major role in patient morbidity and mortality. In this scenario, Pseudomonas aeruginosa alone is responsible for ca. 13–15% of all hospital-acquired infections. The pathogen P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic one, being endowed with metabolic versatility and high (both intrinsic and acquired) resistance to antibiotics. Bacteriophages (or phages) have been recognized as a tool with high potential for the detection of bacterial infections since these metabolically inert entities specifically attach to, and lyse, bacterial host cells, thus, allowing confirmation of the presence of viable cells. In the research effort described herein, three different phages with broad lytic spectrum capable of infecting P. aeruginosa were isolated from environmental sources. The isolated phages were elected on the basis of their ability to form clear and distinctive plaques, which is a hallmark characteristic of virulent phages. Next, their structural and functional stabilization was achieved via entrapment within the matrix of porous alginate, biopolymeric, and bio-reactive, chromogenic hydrogels aiming at their use as sensitive matrices producing both color changes and/or light emissions evolving from a reaction with (released) cytoplasmic moieties, as a bio-detection kit for P. aeruginosa cells. Full physicochemical and biological characterization of the isolated bacteriophages was the subject of a previous research paper.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liliam K. Harada
- PhageLab—Laboratory of Biofilms and Bacteriophages, University of Sorocaba, Sorocaba, SP 18023-000, Brazil; (L.K.H.); (E.C.S.); (T.J.O.); (F.C.M.); (J.M.O.J.); (M.M.D.C.V.)
| | | | - Erica C. Silva
- PhageLab—Laboratory of Biofilms and Bacteriophages, University of Sorocaba, Sorocaba, SP 18023-000, Brazil; (L.K.H.); (E.C.S.); (T.J.O.); (F.C.M.); (J.M.O.J.); (M.M.D.C.V.)
| | - Thais J. Oliveira
- PhageLab—Laboratory of Biofilms and Bacteriophages, University of Sorocaba, Sorocaba, SP 18023-000, Brazil; (L.K.H.); (E.C.S.); (T.J.O.); (F.C.M.); (J.M.O.J.); (M.M.D.C.V.)
| | - Fernanda C. Moreli
- PhageLab—Laboratory of Biofilms and Bacteriophages, University of Sorocaba, Sorocaba, SP 18023-000, Brazil; (L.K.H.); (E.C.S.); (T.J.O.); (F.C.M.); (J.M.O.J.); (M.M.D.C.V.)
| | - José M. Oliveira Júnior
- PhageLab—Laboratory of Biofilms and Bacteriophages, University of Sorocaba, Sorocaba, SP 18023-000, Brazil; (L.K.H.); (E.C.S.); (T.J.O.); (F.C.M.); (J.M.O.J.); (M.M.D.C.V.)
| | - Matthieu Tubino
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil;
| | - Marta M. D. C. Vila
- PhageLab—Laboratory of Biofilms and Bacteriophages, University of Sorocaba, Sorocaba, SP 18023-000, Brazil; (L.K.H.); (E.C.S.); (T.J.O.); (F.C.M.); (J.M.O.J.); (M.M.D.C.V.)
| | - Victor M. Balcão
- PhageLab—Laboratory of Biofilms and Bacteriophages, University of Sorocaba, Sorocaba, SP 18023-000, Brazil; (L.K.H.); (E.C.S.); (T.J.O.); (F.C.M.); (J.M.O.J.); (M.M.D.C.V.)
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, P-3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-(15)-2101-7029
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Does over a century of aerobic phage work provide a solid framework for the study of phages in the gut? Anaerobe 2021; 68:102319. [PMID: 33465423 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2021.102319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial viruses (bacteriophages, phages) of the gut have increasingly become a focus in microbiome studies, with an understanding that they are likely key players in health and disease. However, characterization of the virome remains largely based on bioinformatic approaches, with the impact of these viromes inferred based on a century of knowledge from aerobic phage work. Studying the phages infecting anaerobes is difficult, as they are often technically demanding to isolate and propagate. In this review, we primarily discuss the phages infecting three well-studied anaerobes in the gut: Bifidobacterium, Clostridia and Bacteroides, with a particular focus on the challenges in isolating and characterizing these phages. We contrast the lessons learned from these to other anaerobic work on phages infecting facultative anaerobes of the gut: Enterococcus and Lactobacillus. Phages from the gut do appear to adhere to the lessons learned from aerobic work, but the additional challenges of working on them has required ingenious new approaches to enable their study. This, in turn, has uncovered remarkable biology likely underpinning phage-host relationships in many stable environments.
Collapse
|
6
|
Basalla J, Harris R, Burgess E, Zeedyk N, Wildschutte H. Expanding Tiny Earth to genomics: a bioinformatics approach for an undergraduate class to characterize antagonistic strains. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2021; 367:5714750. [PMID: 31971561 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnaa018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of multidrug resistant pathogens and the diminishing supply of effective antibiotics are global crisis. Tiny Earth (TE) is undergraduate curriculum that encourage students to pursue science careers by engagement in authentic drug discovery research. Through the TE program, students identify environmental strains that inhibit other bacteria. Although these isolates may produce antibiotics based on the antagonistic phenotype, understanding the activity in regard to genome content remains elusive. Previously, we developed a transposon mutagenesis module for use with TE to identify genes involved in antibiotic production. Here, we extend this approach to a second semester undergraduate course to understand the origin of antagonism and genome diversity. Using a bioinformatics strategy, we identified gene clusters involved in activity, and with annotated genomes in hand, students were able to characterize strain diversity. Genomes were analyzed using different computational tools, including average nucleotide identity for species identification and whole genome comparisons. Because the focus of TE involves the evolution of drug resistance, predicted products in strains were identified and verified using a drug susceptibility assay. An application of this curriculum by TE members would assist in efforts with antibiotic discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Basalla
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
| | - Ryan Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
| | - Elizabeth Burgess
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
| | - Nicholas Zeedyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
| | - Hans Wildschutte
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kim SG, Lee SB, Giri SS, Kim HJ, Kim SW, Kwon J, Park J, Roh E, Park SC. Characterization of Novel Erwinia amylovora Jumbo Bacteriophages from Eneladusvirus Genus. Viruses 2020; 12:E1373. [PMID: 33266226 PMCID: PMC7760394 DOI: 10.3390/v12121373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Jumbo phages, which have a genome size of more than 200 kb, have recently been reported for the first time. However, limited information is available regarding their characteristics because few jumbo phages have been isolated. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to isolate and characterize other jumbo phages. We performed comparative genomic analysis of three Erwinia phages (pEa_SNUABM_12, pEa_SNUABM_47, and pEa_SNUABM_50), each of which had a genome size of approximately 360 kb (32.5% GC content). These phages were predicted to harbor 546, 540, and 540 open reading frames with 32, 34, and 35 tRNAs, respectively. Almost all of the genes in these phages could not be functionally annotated but showed high sequence similarity with genes encoded in Serratia phage BF, a member of Eneladusvirus. The detailed comparative and phylogenetic analyses presented in this study contribute to our understanding of the diversity and evolution of Erwinia phage and the genus Eneladusvirus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sang Guen Kim
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (S.G.K.); (S.B.L.); (S.S.G.); (H.J.K.); (S.W.K.); (J.K.)
| | - Sung Bin Lee
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (S.G.K.); (S.B.L.); (S.S.G.); (H.J.K.); (S.W.K.); (J.K.)
| | - Sib Sankar Giri
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (S.G.K.); (S.B.L.); (S.S.G.); (H.J.K.); (S.W.K.); (J.K.)
| | - Hyoun Joong Kim
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (S.G.K.); (S.B.L.); (S.S.G.); (H.J.K.); (S.W.K.); (J.K.)
| | - Sang Wha Kim
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (S.G.K.); (S.B.L.); (S.S.G.); (H.J.K.); (S.W.K.); (J.K.)
| | - Jun Kwon
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (S.G.K.); (S.B.L.); (S.S.G.); (H.J.K.); (S.W.K.); (J.K.)
| | - Jungkum Park
- Crop Protection Division, National Institute of Agriculture Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea; (J.P.); (E.R.)
| | - Eunjung Roh
- Crop Protection Division, National Institute of Agriculture Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea; (J.P.); (E.R.)
| | - Se Chang Park
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (S.G.K.); (S.B.L.); (S.S.G.); (H.J.K.); (S.W.K.); (J.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Recovery of mycobacteriophages from archival stocks stored for approximately 50 years in Japan. Arch Virol 2018; 163:1915-1919. [PMID: 29511830 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-018-3788-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacteriophage archival stocks have been kept for ca. 20-50 years in Japan. In this study, we attempted to recover mycobacteriophages from 50 archival stocks and briefly analyzed the recovered phages. The phages were recovered from 72.2% (13/18) of the lyophilized stocks that had been stored for 47-56 years. Moreover, the analysis of 12 representative recovered phages led to their classification as belonging to the family Siphoviridae, and seven of them were typed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the gene that encodes the tape measure protein. Considering these results, lyophilization seems to be suitable for phage archival storage.
Collapse
|