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Gerbino KR, Borin JM, Ardell SM, Lee JJ, Corbett KD, Meyer JR. Bacteriophage Φ21's receptor-binding protein evolves new functions through destabilizing mutations that generate non-genetic phenotypic heterogeneity. Virus Evol 2024; 10:veae049. [PMID: 39170727 PMCID: PMC11336670 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veae049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
How viruses evolve to expand their host range is a major question with implications for predicting the next pandemic. Gain-of-function experiments have revealed that host-range expansions can occur through relatively few mutations in viral receptor-binding proteins, and the search for molecular mechanisms that explain such expansions is underway. Previous research on expansions of receptor use in bacteriophage λ has shown that mutations that destabilize λ's receptor-binding protein cause it to fold into new conformations that can utilize novel receptors but have weakened thermostability. These observations led us to hypothesize that other viruses may take similar paths to expand their host range. Here, we find support for our hypothesis by studying another virus, bacteriophage 21 (Φ21), which evolves to use two new host receptors within 2 weeks of laboratory evolution. By measuring the thermodynamic stability of Φ21 and its descendants, we show that as Φ21 evolves to use new receptors and expands its host range, it becomes less stable and produces viral particles that are genetically identical but vary in their thermostabilities. Next, we show that this non-genetic heterogeneity between particles is directly associated with receptor use innovation, as phage particles with more derived receptor-use capabilities are more unstable and decay faster. Lastly, by manipulating the expression of protein chaperones during Φ21 infection, we demonstrate that heterogeneity in receptor use of phage particles arises during protein folding. Altogether, our results provide support for the hypothesis that viruses can evolve new receptor-use tropisms through mutations that destabilize the receptor-binding protein and produce multiple protein conformers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista R Gerbino
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Joshua M Borin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Sarah M Ardell
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Justin J Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Justin R Meyer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
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2
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Strobel HM, Labador SD, Basu D, Sane M, Corbett KD, Meyer JR. Viral Receptor-Binding Protein Evolves New Function through Mutations That Cause Trimer Instability and Functional Heterogeneity. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae056. [PMID: 38586942 PMCID: PMC10999833 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae056] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
When proteins evolve new activity, a concomitant decrease in stability is often observed because the mutations that confer new activity can destabilize the native fold. In the conventional model of protein evolution, reduced stability is considered a purely deleterious cost of molecular innovation because unstable proteins are prone to aggregation and are sensitive to environmental stressors. However, recent work has revealed that nonnative, often unstable protein conformations play an important role in mediating evolutionary transitions, raising the question of whether instability can itself potentiate the evolution of new activity. We explored this question in a bacteriophage receptor-binding protein during host-range evolution. We studied the properties of the receptor-binding protein of bacteriophage λ before and after host-range evolution and demonstrated that the evolved protein is relatively unstable and may exist in multiple conformations with unique receptor preferences. Through a combination of structural modeling and in vitro oligomeric state analysis, we found that the instability arises from mutations that interfere with trimer formation. This study raises the intriguing possibility that protein instability might play a previously unrecognized role in mediating host-range expansions in viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Strobel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sweetzel D Labador
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dwaipayan Basu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mrudula Sane
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Justin R Meyer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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3
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He P, Cao F, Qu Q, Geng H, Yang X, Xu T, Wang R, Jia X, Lu M, Zeng P, Luan G. Host range expansion of Acinetobacter phage vB_Ab4_Hep4 driven by a spontaneous tail tubular mutation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1301089. [PMID: 38435308 PMCID: PMC10904470 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1301089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) represent promising alternative treatments against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) infections. The application of phages as antibacterial agents is limited by their generally narrow host ranges, so changing or expanding the host ranges of phages is beneficial for phage therapy. Multiple studies have identified that phage tail fiber protein mediates the recognition and binding to the host as receptor binding protein in phage infection. However, the tail tubular-dependent host specificity of phages has not been studied well. In this study, we isolated and characterized a novel lytic phage, vB_Ab4_Hep4, specifically infecting MDRAB strains. Meanwhile, we identified a spontaneous mutant of the phage, vB_Ab4_Hep4-M, which revealed an expanded host range compared to the wild-type phage. A single mutation of G to C was detected in the gene encoding the phage tail tubular protein B and thus resulted in an aspartate to histidine change. We further demonstrated that the host range expansion of the phage mutant is driven by the spontaneous mutation of guanine to cytosine using expressed tail tubular protein B. Moreover, we established that the bacterial capsule is the receptor for phage Abp4 and Abp4-M by identifying mutant genes in phage-resistant strains. In conclusion, our study provided a detailed description of phage vB_Ab4_Hep4 and revealed the tail tubular-dependent host specificity in A. baumannii phages, which may provide new insights into extending the host ranges of phages by gene-modifying tail tubular proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penggang He
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Feng Cao
- Chengdu Phagetimes Biotech Co. Ltd, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianyu Qu
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huaixin Geng
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tong Xu
- Chengdu Phagetimes Biotech Co. Ltd, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xu Jia
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mao Lu
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Peibin Zeng
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guangxin Luan
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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4
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Concha-Eloko R, Barberán-Martínez P, Sanjuán R, Domingo-Calap P. Broad-range capsule-dependent lytic Sugarlandvirus against Klebsiella sp. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0429822. [PMID: 37882584 PMCID: PMC10714931 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04298-22] [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: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria is a global health problem. Among them, Klebsiella pneumoniae is considered a high-priority pathogen, making it necessary to develop new therapeutic tools to reduce the bacterial burden in an effective and sustainable manner. Phages, bacterial viruses, are very promising tools. However, phages are highy specific, rendering large-scale therapeutics costly to implement. This is especially certain in Klebsiella, a capsular bacterium in which phages have been shown to be capsular type dependent, infecting one or a few capsular types through specific enzymes called depolymerases. In this study, we have isolated and characterized novel phages with lytic ability against bacteria from a wide variety of capsular types, representing the Klebsiella phages with the widest range of infection described. Remarkably, these broad-range phages showed capsule dependency, despite the absence of depolymerases in their genomes, implying that infectivity could be governed by alternative mechanisms yet to be uncovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robby Concha-Eloko
- Instituto de Biología Integrativa de Sistemas, Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
| | | | - Rafael Sanjuán
- Instituto de Biología Integrativa de Sistemas, Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
| | - Pilar Domingo-Calap
- Instituto de Biología Integrativa de Sistemas, Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
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Pas C, Latka A, Fieseler L, Briers Y. Phage tailspike modularity and horizontal gene transfer reveals specificity towards E. coli O-antigen serogroups. Virol J 2023; 20:174. [PMID: 37550759 PMCID: PMC10408124 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02138-4] [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: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interaction between bacteriophages and their hosts is intricate and highly specific. Receptor-binding proteins (RBPs) of phages such as tail fibers and tailspikes initiate the infection process. These RBPs bind to diverse outer membrane structures, including the O-antigen, which is a serogroup-specific sugar-based component of the outer lipopolysaccharide layer of Gram-negative bacteria. Among the most virulent Escherichia coli strains is the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) pathotype dominated by a subset of O-antigen serogroups. METHODS Extensive phylogenetic and structural analyses were used to identify and validate specificity correlations between phage RBP subtypes and STEC O-antigen serogroups, relying on the principle of horizontal gene transfer as main driver for RBP evolution. RESULTS We identified O-antigen specific RBP subtypes for seven out of nine most prevalent STEC serogroups (O26, O45, O103, O104, O111, O145 and O157) and seven additional E. coli serogroups (O2, O8, O16, O18, 4s/O22, O77 and O78). Eight phage genera (Gamaleya-, Justusliebig-, Kaguna-, Kayfuna-, Kutter-, Lederberg-, Nouzilly- and Uetakeviruses) emerged for their high proportion of serogroup-specific RBPs. Additionally, we reveal sequence motifs in the RBP region, potentially serving as recombination hotspots between lytic phages. CONCLUSION The results contribute to a better understanding of mosaicism of phage RBPs, but also demonstrate a method to identify and validate new RBP subtypes for current and future emerging serogroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia Pas
- Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Valentin Vaerwyckweg 1, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Agnieszka Latka
- Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Valentin Vaerwyckweg 1, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Lars Fieseler
- Centre for Food Safety and Quality Management, ZHAW School of Life Sciences and Facility Management, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Yves Briers
- Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Valentin Vaerwyckweg 1, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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6
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Abstract
The mosquito microbiota has a profound impact on multiple biological processes ranging from reproduction to disease transmission. Interestingly, the adult mosquito microbiota is largely derived from the larval microbiota, which in turn is dependent on the microbiota of their water habitat. The larval microbiota not only plays a crucial role in larval development but also has a significant impact on the adult stage of the mosquito. By precisely engineering the larval microbiota, it is feasible to alter larval development and other life history traits of the mosquitoes. Bacteriophages, given their host specificity, can serve as a tool for modulating the microbiota. For this proof-of-principle study, we selected representative strains of five common Anopheles mosquito-associated bacterial genera, namely, Enterobacter, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Elizabethkingia, and Asaia. Our results with monoaxenic cultures showed that Anopheles larvae with Enterobacter and Pseudomonas displayed normal larval development with no significant mortality. However, monoaxenic Anopheles larvae with Elizabethkingia showed delayed larval development and higher mortality. Serratia and Asaia gnotobiotic larvae failed to develop past the first instar. We isolated and characterized three novel bacteriophages (EP1, SP1, and EKP1) targeting Enterobacter, Serratia, and Elizabethkingia, respectively, and utilized a previously characterized bacteriophage (GH1) targeting Pseudomonas to modulate larval water microbiota. Gnotobiotic Anopheles larvae with all five bacterial genera showed reduced survival and larval development with the addition of bacteriophages EP1 and GH1, targeting Enterobacter and Pseudomonas, respectively. The effect was synergistic when both EP1 and GH1 were added together. Our results demonstrate a novel application of bacteriophages for mosquito control. IMPORTANCE Mosquitoes are efficient vectors of multiple human and animal pathogens. The biology of mosquitoes is strongly affected by their associated microbiota. Because of the important role of the larval microbiota in mosquito biology, the microbiota can potentially serve as a target for altering mosquito life-history traits. Our study provides proof of principle that bacteriophages can be used as tools to modulate the mosquito larval habitat microbiota and can, in turn, affect larval development and survival. These results highlight the utility of bacteriophages in mosquito microbiota research and also provide a new potential mosquito control tool.
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7
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Warring SL, Malone LM, Jayaraman J, Easingwood RA, Rigano LA, Frampton RA, Visnovsky SB, Addison SM, Hernandez L, Pitman AR, Lopez Acedo E, Kleffmann T, Templeton MD, Bostina M, Fineran PC. A lipopolysaccharide-dependent phage infects a pseudomonad phytopathogen and can evolve to evade phage resistance. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:4834-4852. [PMID: 35912527 PMCID: PMC9796965 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens are major causes of crop diseases, leading to significant production losses. For instance, kiwifruit canker, caused by the phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), has posed a global challenge to kiwifruit production. Treatment with copper and antibiotics, whilst initially effective, is leading to the rise of bacterial resistance, requiring new biocontrol approaches. Previously, we isolated a group of closely related Psa phages with biocontrol potential, which represent environmentally sustainable antimicrobials. However, their deployment as antimicrobials requires further insight into their properties and infection strategy. Here, we provide an in-depth examination of the genome of ΦPsa374-like phages and show that they use lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as their main receptor. Through proteomics and cryo-electron microscopy of ΦPsa374, we revealed the structural proteome and that this phage possess a T = 9 capsid triangulation, unusual for myoviruses. Furthermore, we show that ΦPsa374 phage resistance arises in planta through mutations in a glycosyltransferase involved in LPS synthesis. Lastly, through in vitro evolution experiments we showed that phage resistance is overcome by mutations in a tail fibre and structural protein of unknown function in ΦPsa374. This study provides new insight into the properties of ΦPsa374-like phages that informs their use as antimicrobials against Psa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne L. Warring
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
| | - Lucia M. Malone
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
| | - Jay Jayaraman
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Mt AlbertAucklandNew Zealand,Bioprotection AotearoaCanterburyNew Zealand
| | | | - Luciano A. Rigano
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand,Plant Health & Environment Laboratory, Biosecurity New ZealandMinistry for Primary IndustriesAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Rebekah A. Frampton
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand,The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LimitedChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - Sandra B. Visnovsky
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LimitedChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - Shea M. Addison
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LimitedChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - Loreto Hernandez
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LimitedChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - Andrew R. Pitman
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research LimitedChristchurchNew Zealand,Foundation for Arable Research (FAR), TempletonChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - Elena Lopez Acedo
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
| | | | - Matthew D. Templeton
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Mt AlbertAucklandNew Zealand,Bioprotection AotearoaCanterburyNew Zealand,School of Biological SciencesUniversity of AucklandAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Mihnea Bostina
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand,Otago Centre for Electron MicroscopyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
| | - Peter C. Fineran
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand,Bioprotection AotearoaCanterburyNew Zealand
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8
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Strobel HM, Stuart EC, Meyer JR. A Trait-Based Approach to Predicting Viral Host-Range Evolvability. Annu Rev Virol 2022; 9:139-156. [PMID: 36173699 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-091919-092003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Predicting the evolution of virus host range has proven to be extremely difficult, in part because of the sheer diversity of viruses, each with unique biology and ecological interactions. We have not solved this problem, but to make the problem more tractable, we narrowed our focus to three traits intrinsic to all viruses that may play a role in host-range evolvability: mutation rate, recombination rate, and phenotypic heterogeneity. Although each trait should increase evolvability, they cannot do so unbounded because fitness trade-offs limit the ability of all three traits to maximize evolvability. By examining these constraints, we can begin to identify groups of viruses with suites of traits that make them especially concerning, as well as ecological and environmental conditions that might push evolution toward accelerating host-range expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Strobel
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - Elizabeth C Stuart
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - Justin R Meyer
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
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9
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Putzeys L, Boon M, Lammens EM, Kuznedelov K, Severinov K, Lavigne R. Development of ONT-cappable-seq to unravel the transcriptional landscape of Pseudomonas phages. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:2624-2638. [PMID: 35685363 PMCID: PMC9163698 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA sequencing has become the method of choice to study the transcriptional landscape of phage-infected bacteria. However, short-read RNA sequencing approaches generally fail to capture the primary 5' and 3' boundaries of transcripts, confounding the discovery of key transcription initiation and termination events as well as operon architectures. Yet, the elucidation of these elements is crucial for the understanding of the strategy of transcription regulation during the infection process, which is currently lacking beyond a handful of model phages. We developed ONT-cappable-seq, a specialized long-read RNA sequencing technique that allows end-to-end sequencing of primary prokaryotic transcripts using the Nanopore sequencing platform. We applied ONT-cappable-seq to study transcription of Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage LUZ7, obtaining a comprehensive genome-wide map of viral transcription start sites, terminators, and complex operon structures that fine-regulate gene expression. Our work provides new insights in the RNA biology of a non-model phage, unveiling distinct promoter architectures, putative small non-coding viral RNAs, and the prominent regulatory role of terminators during infection. The robust workflow presented here offers a framework to obtain a global, yet fine-grained view of phage transcription and paves the way for standardized, in-depth transcription studies for microbial viruses or bacteria in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena Putzeys
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Maarten Boon
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Eveline-Marie Lammens
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | | | | | - Rob Lavigne
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3001, Belgium
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10
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Runtuvuori‐Salmela A, Kunttu HMT, Laanto E, Almeida GMF, Mäkelä K, Middelboe M, Sundberg L. Prevalence of genetically similar Flavobacterium columnare phages across aquaculture environments reveals a strong potential for pathogen control. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:2404-2420. [PMID: 35049114 PMCID: PMC9304149 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Intensive aquaculture conditions expose fish to bacterial infections, leading to significant financial losses, extensive antibiotic use and risk of antibiotic resistance in target bacteria. Flavobacterium columnare causes columnaris disease in aquaculture worldwide. To develop a bacteriophage-based control of columnaris disease, we isolated and characterized 126 F. columnare strains and 63 phages against F. columnare from Finland and Sweden in 2017. Bacterial isolates were virulent on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fell into four previously described genetic groups A, C, E and G, with genetic groups C and E being the most virulent. Phage host range studied against a collection of 227 bacterial isolates (from 2013 to 2017) demonstrated modular infection patterns based on host genetic group. Phages infected contemporary and previously isolated bacterial hosts, but bacteria isolated most recently were generally resistant to previously isolated phages. Despite large differences in geographical origin, isolation year or host range of the phages, whole-genome sequencing of 56 phages showed high level of genetic similarity to previously isolated F. columnare phages (Ficleduovirus, Myoviridae). Altogether, this phage collection demonstrates a potential for use in phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anniina Runtuvuori‐Salmela
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience CenterUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
| | - Heidi M. T. Kunttu
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience CenterUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
| | - Elina Laanto
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience CenterUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesMolecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Gabriel M. F. Almeida
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience CenterUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
- Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, Norwegian College of Fishery ScienceUiT The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - Kati Mäkelä
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience CenterUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
| | - Mathias Middelboe
- Department of Biology, Marine Biological SectionUniversity of CopenhagenHelsingørDenmark
| | - Lotta‐Riina Sundberg
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience CenterUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
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11
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Martinez-Hernandez F, Diop A, Garcia-Heredia I, Bobay LM, Martinez-Garcia M. Unexpected myriad of co-occurring viral strains and species in one of the most abundant and microdiverse viruses on Earth. THE ISME JOURNAL 2022; 16:1025-1035. [PMID: 34775488 PMCID: PMC8940918 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-01150-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Viral genetic microdiversity drives adaptation, pathogenicity, and speciation and has critical consequences for the viral-host arms race occurring at the strain and species levels, which ultimately impact microbial community structure and biogeochemical cycles. Despite the fact that most efforts have focused on viral macrodiversity, little is known about the microdiversity of ecologically important viruses on Earth. Recently, single-virus genomics discovered the putatively most abundant ocean virus in temperate and tropical waters: the uncultured dsDNA virus vSAG 37-F6 infecting Pelagibacter, the most abundant marine bacteria. In this study, we report the cooccurrence of up to ≈1,500 different viral strains (>95% nucleotide identity) and ≈30 related species (80-95% nucleotide identity) in a single oceanic sample. Viral microdiversity was maintained over space and time, and most alleles were the result of synonymous mutations without any apparent adaptive benefits to cope with host translation codon bias and efficiency. Gene flow analysis used to delimitate species according to the biological species concept (BSC) revealed the impact of recombination in shaping vSAG 37-F6 virus and Pelagibacter speciation. Data demonstrated that this large viral microdiversity somehow mirrors the host species diversity since ≈50% of the 926 analyzed Pelagibacter genomes were found to belong to independent BSC species that do not significantly engage in gene flow with one another. The host range of this evolutionarily successful virus revealed that a single viral species can infect multiple Pelagibacter BSC species, indicating that this virus crosses not only formal BSC barriers but also biomes since viral ancestors are found in freshwater.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Awa Diop
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, USA
| | | | - Louis-Marie Bobay
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, USA
| | - Manuel Martinez-Garcia
- Department of Physiology, Genetics, and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
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12
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Islam MR, Martinez-Soto CE, Lin JT, Khursigara CM, Barbut S, Anany H. A systematic review from basics to omics on bacteriophage applications in poultry production and processing. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021:1-33. [PMID: 34609270 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1984200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The growing human population is currently facing an unprecedented challenge on global food production and sustainability. Despite recognizing poultry as one of the most successful and rapidly growing food industries to address this challenge; poultry health and safety remain major issues that entail immediate attention. Bacterial diseases including colibacillosis, salmonellosis, and necrotic enteritis have become increasingly prevalent during poultry production. Likewise, outbreaks caused by consumption of undercooked poultry products contaminated with zoonotic bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria, are a serious public health concern. With antimicrobial resistance problem and restricted use of antibiotics in food producing animals, bacteriophages are increasingly recognized as an attractive natural antibacterial alternative. Bacteriophages have recently shown promising results to treat diseases in poultry, reduce contamination of carcasses, and enhance the safety of poultry products. Omics technologies have been successfully employed to accurately characterize bacteriophages and their genes/proteins important for interaction with bacterial hosts. In this review, the potential of using lytic bacteriophages to mitigate the risk of major poultry-associated bacterial pathogens are explored. This study also explores challenges associated with the adoption of this technology by industries. Furthermore, the impact of omics approaches on studying bacteriophages, their host interaction and applications is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Rashedul Islam
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carlos E Martinez-Soto
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Janet T Lin
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cezar M Khursigara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shai Barbut
- Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hany Anany
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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13
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Onsea J, Uyttebroek S, Chen B, Wagemans J, Lood C, Van Gerven L, Spriet I, Devolder D, Debaveye Y, Depypere M, Dupont L, De Munter P, Peetermans WE, van Noort V, Merabishvili M, Pirnay JP, Lavigne R, Metsemakers WJ. Bacteriophage Therapy for Difficult-to-Treat Infections: The Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Phage Task Force ( The PHAGEFORCE Study Protocol). Viruses 2021; 13:1543. [PMID: 34452408 PMCID: PMC8402896 DOI: 10.3390/v13081543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In times where only a few novel antibiotics are to be expected, antimicrobial resistance remains an expanding global health threat. In case of chronic infections caused by therapy-resistant pathogens, physicians have limited therapeutic options, which are often associated with detrimental consequences for the patient. This has resulted in a renewed interest in alternative strategies, such as bacteriophage (phage) therapy. However, there are still important hurdles that currently impede the more widespread implementation of phage therapy in clinical practice. First, the limited number of good-quality case series and clinical trials have failed to show the optimal application protocol in terms of route of administration, frequency of administration, treatment duration and phage titer. Second, there is limited information on the systemic effects of phage therapy. Finally, in the past, phage therapy has been applied intuitively in terms of the selection of phages and their combination as parts of phage cocktails. This has led to an enormous heterogeneity in previously published studies, resulting in a lack of reliable safety and efficacy data for phage therapy. We hereby present a study protocol that addresses these scientific hurdles using a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together the experience of clinical, pharmaceutical and molecular microbiology experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien Onsea
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.C.); (W.-J.M.)
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Saartje Uyttebroek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.U.); (L.V.G.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Baixing Chen
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.C.); (W.-J.M.)
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Wagemans
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.W.); (C.L.); (R.L.)
| | - Cédric Lood
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.W.); (C.L.); (R.L.)
- Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Laura Van Gerven
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.U.); (L.V.G.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabel Spriet
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.S.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Devolder
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.S.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yves Debaveye
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Melissa Depypere
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieven Dupont
- Department of Pneumology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Paul De Munter
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (P.D.M.); (W.E.P.)
- Laboratory for Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Willy E. Peetermans
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (P.D.M.); (W.E.P.)
- Laboratory for Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vera van Noort
- Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maia Merabishvili
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, 1120 Brussels, Belgium; (M.M.); (J.-P.P.)
| | - Jean-Paul Pirnay
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, 1120 Brussels, Belgium; (M.M.); (J.-P.P.)
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.W.); (C.L.); (R.L.)
| | - Willem-Jan Metsemakers
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.C.); (W.-J.M.)
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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14
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Storey N, Rabiey M, Neuman BW, Jackson RW, Mulley G. Genomic Characterisation of Mushroom Pathogenic Pseudomonads and Their Interaction with Bacteriophages. Viruses 2020; 12:E1286. [PMID: 33182769 PMCID: PMC7696170 DOI: 10.3390/v12111286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial diseases of the edible white button mushroom Agaricus bisporus caused by Pseudomonas species cause a reduction in crop yield, resulting in considerable economic loss. We examined bacterial pathogens of mushrooms and bacteriophages that target them to understand the disease and opportunities for control. The Pseudomonastolaasii genome encoded a single type III protein secretion system (T3SS), but contained the largest number of non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) genes, multimodular enzymes that can play a role in pathogenicity, including a putative tolaasin-producing gene cluster, a toxin causing blotch disease symptom. However, Pseudomonasagarici encoded the lowest number of NRPS and three putative T3SS while non-pathogenic Pseudomonas sp. NS1 had intermediate numbers. Potential bacteriophage resistance mechanisms were identified in all three strains, but only P. agarici NCPPB 2472 was observed to have a single Type I-F CRISPR/Cas system predicted to be involved in phage resistance. Three novel bacteriophages, NV1, ϕNV3, and NV6, were isolated from environmental samples. Bacteriophage NV1 and ϕNV3 had a narrow host range for specific mushroom pathogens, whereas phage NV6 was able to infect both mushroom pathogens. ϕNV3 and NV6 genomes were almost identical and differentiated within their T7-like tail fiber protein, indicating this is likely the major host specificity determinant. Our findings provide the foundations for future comparative analyses to study mushroom disease and phage resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel Storey
- School of Biological Sciences, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AJ, UK; (N.S.); (R.W.J.); (G.M.)
| | - Mojgan Rabiey
- School of Biological Sciences, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AJ, UK; (N.S.); (R.W.J.); (G.M.)
- School of Biosciences and Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Benjamin W. Neuman
- Biology Department, College of Arts, Sciences and Education, TAMUT, Texarkana, TX 75503, USA;
| | - Robert W. Jackson
- School of Biological Sciences, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AJ, UK; (N.S.); (R.W.J.); (G.M.)
- School of Biosciences and Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Geraldine Mulley
- School of Biological Sciences, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AJ, UK; (N.S.); (R.W.J.); (G.M.)
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