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Skliros D, Droubogiannis S, Kalloniati C, Katharios P, Flemetakis E. Perturbation of Quorum Sensing after the Acquisition of Bacteriophage Resistance Could Contribute to Novel Traits in Vibrio alginolyticus. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2273. [PMID: 37764117 PMCID: PMC10535087 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria employ a wide range of molecular mechanisms to confer resistance to bacteriophages, and these mechanisms are continuously being discovered and characterized. However, there are instances where certain bacterial species, despite lacking these known mechanisms, can still develop bacteriophage resistance through intricate metabolic adaptation strategies, potentially involving mutations in transcriptional regulators or phage receptors. Vibrio species have been particularly useful for studying the orchestrated metabolic responses of Gram-negative marine bacteria in various challenges. In a previous study, we demonstrated that Vibrio alginolyticus downregulates the expression of specific receptors and transporters in its membrane, which may enable the bacterium to evade infection by lytic bacteriophages. In our current study, our objective was to explore how the development of bacteriophage resistance in Vibrio species disrupts the quorum-sensing cascade, subsequently affecting bacterial physiology and metabolic capacity. Using a real-time quantitative PCR (rt-QPCR) platform, we examined the expression pattern of quorum-sensing genes, auto-inducer biosynthesis genes, and cell density regulatory proteins in phage-resistant strains. Our results revealed that bacteriophage-resistant bacteria downregulate the expression of quorum-sensing regulatory proteins, such as LuxM, LuxN, and LuxP. This downregulation attenuates the normal perception of quorum-sensing peptides and subsequently diminishes the expression of cell density regulatory proteins, including LuxU, aphA, and LuxR. These findings align with the diverse phenotypic traits observed in the phage-resistant strains, such as altered biofilm formation, reduced planktonic growth, and reduced virulence. Moreover, the transcriptional depletion of aphA, the master regulator associated with low cell density, was linked to the downregulation of genes related to virulence. This phenomenon appears to be phage-specific, suggesting a finely tuned metabolic adaptation driven by phage-host interaction. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of Vibrio species in microbial marine ecology and highlight the complex interplay between phage resistance, quorum sensing, and bacterial physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Skliros
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (C.K.)
| | - Stavros Droubogiannis
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 71500 Heraklion, Greece; (S.D.); (P.K.)
| | - Chrysanthi Kalloniati
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (C.K.)
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, 81100 Mytilene, Greece
| | - Pantelis Katharios
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 71500 Heraklion, Greece; (S.D.); (P.K.)
| | - Emmanouil Flemetakis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (C.K.)
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Duddy OP, Silpe JE, Fei C, Bassler BL. Natural silencing of quorum-sensing activity protects Vibrio parahaemolyticus from lysis by an autoinducer-detecting phage. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010809. [PMID: 37523407 PMCID: PMC10426928 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a chemical communication process that bacteria use to track population density and orchestrate collective behaviors. QS relies on the production, accumulation, and group-wide detection of extracellular signal molecules called autoinducers. Vibriophage 882 (phage VP882), a bacterial virus, encodes a homolog of the Vibrio QS receptor-transcription factor, called VqmA, that monitors the Vibrio QS autoinducer DPO. Phage VqmA binds DPO at high host-cell density and activates transcription of the phage gene qtip. Qtip, an antirepressor, launches the phage lysis program. Phage-encoded VqmA when bound to DPO also manipulates host QS by activating transcription of the host gene vqmR. VqmR is a small RNA that controls downstream QS target genes. Here, we sequence Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain O3:K6 882, the strain from which phage VP882 was initially isolated. The chromosomal region normally encoding vqmR and vqmA harbors a deletion encompassing vqmR and a portion of the vqmA promoter, inactivating that QS system. We discover that V. parahaemolyticus strain O3:K6 882 is also defective in its other QS systems, due to a mutation in luxO, encoding the central QS transcriptional regulator LuxO. Both the vqmR-vqmA and luxO mutations lock V. parahaemolyticus strain O3:K6 882 into the low-cell density QS state. Reparation of the QS defects in V. parahaemolyticus strain O3:K6 882 promotes activation of phage VP882 lytic gene expression and LuxO is primarily responsible for this effect. Phage VP882-infected QS-competent V. parahaemolyticus strain O3:K6 882 cells lyse more rapidly and produce more viral particles than the QS-deficient parent strain. We propose that, in V. parahaemolyticus strain O3:K6 882, constitutive maintenance of the low-cell density QS state suppresses the launch of the phage VP882 lytic cascade, thereby protecting the bacterial host from phage-mediated lysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia P. Duddy
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Justin E. Silpe
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Chenyi Fei
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Bonnie L. Bassler
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
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3
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Duddy OP, Silpe JE, Fei C, Bassler BL. Natural Silencing of Quorum-Sensing Activity Protects Vibrio parahaemolyticus from Lysis by an Autoinducer-Detecting Phage. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.05.543668. [PMID: 37333398 PMCID: PMC10274711 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.05.543668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a chemical communication process that bacteria use to track population density and orchestrate collective behaviors. QS relies on the production, accumulation, and group-wide detection of extracellular signal molecules called autoinducers. Vibriophage 882 (phage VP882), a bacterial virus, encodes a homolog of the Vibrio QS receptor-transcription factor, called VqmA, that monitors the Vibrio QS autoinducer DPO. Phage VqmA binds DPO at high host-cell density and activates transcription of the phage gene qtip . Qtip, an antirepressor, launches the phage lysis program. Phage-encoded VqmA when bound to DPO also manipulates host QS by activating transcription of the host gene vqmR . VqmR is a small RNA that controls downstream QS target genes. Here, we sequence Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain O3:K6 882, the strain from which phage VP882 was initially isolated. The chromosomal region normally encoding vqmR and vqmA harbors a deletion encompassing vqmR and a portion of the vqmA promoter, inactivating that QS system. We discover that V. parahaemolyticus strain O3:K6 882 is also defective in its other QS systems, due to a mutation in luxO , encoding the central QS transcriptional regulator LuxO. Both the vqmR-vqmA and luxO mutations lock V. parahaemolyticus strain O3:K6 882 into the low-cell density QS state. Reparation of the QS defects in V. parahaemolyticus strain O3:K6 882 promotes activation of phage VP882 lytic gene expression and LuxO is primarily responsible for this effect. Phage VP882-infected QS-competent V. parahaemolyticus strain O3:K6 882 cells lyse more rapidly and produce more viral particles than the QS-deficient parent strain. We propose that, in V. parahaemolyticus strain O3:K6 882, constitutive maintenance of the low-cell density QS state suppresses the launch of the phage VP882 lytic cascade, thereby protecting the bacterial host from phage-mediated lysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia P. Duddy
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Justin E. Silpe
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Chenyi Fei
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Bonnie L. Bassler
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
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Molina-Quiroz RC, Silva-Valenzuela CA. Interactions of Vibrio phages and their hosts in aquatic environments. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 74:102308. [PMID: 37062175 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. These viruses were discovered a century ago and have been used as a model system in microbial genetics and molecular biology. In order to survive, bacteria have to quickly adapt to phage challenges in their natural settings. In turn, phages continuously develop/evolve mechanisms for battling host defenses. A deeper understanding of the arms race between bacteria and phages is essential for the rational design of phage-based prophylaxis and therapies to prevent and treat bacterial infections. Vibrio species and their phages (vibriophages) are a suitable model to study these interactions. Phages are highly ubiquitous in aquatic environments and Vibrio are waterborne bacteria that must survive the constant attack by phages for successful transmission to their hosts. Here, we review relevant literature from the past two years to delve into the molecular interactions of Vibrio species and their phages in aquatic niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto C Molina-Quiroz
- Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance (Levy CIMAR), Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
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Ma JY, Zhu XK, Hu RG, Qi ZZ, Sun WC, Hao ZP, Cong W, Kang YH. A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the global prevalence of foodborne Vibrio spp. infection in fishes: A persistent public health concern. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 187:114521. [PMID: 36621299 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Human vibriosis, caused by pathogenic Vibrio spp., such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio vulnificus, has been increasing worldwide, mediated by increasing consumption of seafood. The present study was conducted to examine the global prevalence of V. vulnificus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae in fishes. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CNKI for peer-reviewed articles and dissertations prior to December 31, 2021. A total of 24,831 articles were retrieved, and 82 articles contained 61 fish families were included. The global pooled prevalence of V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in fishes was 9.56 % (95 % CI: 2.12-20.92), 24.77 % (95 % CI: 17.40-32.93) and 5.29 % (95 % CI: 0.38-13.61), respectively. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses showed that study-level covariates, including temperature, country, continent, origin and detection methods partly explained the between-study heterogeneity. These heterogeneities were underpinned by differences of the three Vibrio spp. in fishes at geographical and climatic scales. These results reveal a high global prevalence of pathogenic Vibrio spp. in fishes and highlight the need for implementation of more effective prevention and control measures to reduce food-borne infection in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Yang Ma
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong 264209, PR China
| | - Xin-Kun Zhu
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong 264209, PR China
| | - Ren-Ge Hu
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong 264209, PR China
| | - Ze-Zheng Qi
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong 264209, PR China
| | - Wen-Chao Sun
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 32503, PR China
| | - Zhi-Peng Hao
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong 264209, PR China
| | - Wei Cong
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong 264209, PR China.
| | - Yuan-Huan Kang
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong 264209, PR China.
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Molina-Quiroz RC, Camilli A, Silva-Valenzuela CA. Role of Bacteriophages in the Evolution of Pathogenic Vibrios and Lessons for Phage Therapy. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1404:149-173. [PMID: 36792875 PMCID: PMC10587905 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-22997-8_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Viruses of bacteria, i.e., bacteriophages (or phages for short), were discovered over a century ago and have played a major role as a model system for the establishment of the fields of microbial genetics and molecular biology. Despite the relative simplicity of phages, microbiologists are continually discovering new aspects of their biology including mechanisms for battling host defenses. In turn, novel mechanisms of host defense against phages are being discovered at a rapid clip. A deeper understanding of the arms race between bacteria and phages will continue to reveal novel molecular mechanisms and will be important for the rational design of phage-based prophylaxis and therapies to prevent and treat bacterial infections, respectively. Here we delve into the molecular interactions of Vibrio species and phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto C Molina-Quiroz
- Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance (Levy CIMAR), Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew Camilli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University, School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Vallenas-Sánchez YPA, Bautista-Valles MF, Llaque-Chávarri F, Mendoza-Coello ME. Bacteriophage cocktail as a substitute for antimicrobials in companion animal dermatology. JOURNAL OF THE SELVA ANDINA ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.36610/j.jsaas.2022.090200097x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Vallenas-Sánchez YPA, Bautista-Valles MF, Llaque-Chávarri F, Mendoza-Coello ME. Cóctel de bacteriófagos como sustituto de antimicrobianos en dermatología de animales de compañía. JOURNAL OF THE SELVA ANDINA ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.36610/j.jsaas.2022.090200097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Jørgensen J, Sundell K, Castillo D, Dramshøj LS, Jørgensen NB, Madsen SB, Landor L, Wiklund T, Donati VL, Madsen L, Dalsgaard I, Middelboe M. Reversible mutations in gliding motility and virulence genes: A flexible and efficient phage defence mechanism in Flavobacterium psychrophilum. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:4915-4930. [PMID: 35837851 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Flavobacteria are among the most important pathogens in freshwater salmonid aquaculture worldwide. Due to concerns regarding development of antibiotic resistance, phage therapy has been proposed as a solution to decrease pathogen load. However, application of phages is challenged by the development of phage resistance, and knowledge of the mechanisms and implications of phage resistance is therefore required. To study this, 27 phage-resistant isolates of F. psychrophilum were genome sequenced and characterized to identify genetic modifications and evaluate changes in phenotypic traits, including virulence against rainbow trout. Phage-resistant isolates showed reduction or loss of gliding motility, proteolytic activity, and adhesion to surfaces, and most isolates were completely non-virulent against rainbow trout fry. Genomic analysis revealed that most phage-resistant isolates had mutations in genes associated with gliding motility and virulence. Reversal of these mutations in a sub-set of isolates led to regained motility, proteolytic activity, virulence and phage susceptibility. Although costly, the fast generation of phage resistance driven by single, reversible mutations likely represents a flexible and efficient phage defence mechanism in F. psychrophilum. The results further suggest that phage administration in aquaculture systems to prevent F. psychrophilum outbreaks selects for non-virulent phage-resistant phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Krister Sundell
- Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Daniel Castillo
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Liv S Dramshøj
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | | | - Susie B Madsen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Lotta Landor
- Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Tom Wiklund
- Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Valentina L Donati
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lone Madsen
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Inger Dalsgaard
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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Wakinaka T, Matsutani M, Watanabe J, Mogi Y, Tokuoka M, Ohnishi A. Ribitol-Containing Wall Teichoic Acid of Tetragenococcus halophilus Is Targeted by Bacteriophage phiWJ7 as a Binding Receptor. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0033622. [PMID: 35311554 PMCID: PMC9045211 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00336-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetragenococcus halophilus, a halophilic lactic acid bacterium, is used in the fermentation process of soy sauce manufacturing. For many years, bacteriophage infections of T. halophilus have been a major industrial problem that causes fermentation failure. However, studies focusing on the mechanisms of tetragenococcal host-phage interactions are not sufficient. In this study, we generated two phage-insensitive derivatives from the parental strain T. halophilus WJ7, which is susceptible to the virulent phage phiWJ7. Whole-genome sequencing of the derivatives revealed that insertion sequences were transposed into a gene encoding poly(ribitol phosphate) polymerase (TarL) in both derivatives. TarL is responsible for the biosynthesis of ribitol-containing wall teichoic acid, and WJ7 was confirmed to contain ribitol in extracted wall teichoic acid, but the derivative was not. Cell walls of WJ7 irreversibly adsorbed phiWJ7, but those of the phage-insensitive derivatives did not. Additionally, 25 phiWJ7-insensitive derivatives were obtained, and they showed mutations not only in tarL but also in tarI and tarJ, which are responsible for the synthesis of CDP-ribitol. These results indicate that phiWJ7 targets the ribitol-containing wall teichoic acid of host cells as a binding receptor. IMPORTANCE Information about the mechanisms of host-phage interactions is required for the development of efficient strategies against bacteriophage infections. Here, we identified the ribitol-containing wall teichoic acid as a host receptor indispensable for bacteriophage infection. The complete genome sequence of tetragenococcal phage phiWJ7 belonging to the family Rountreeviridae is also provided here. This study could become the foundation for a better understanding of host-phage interactions of tetragenococci.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jun Watanabe
- Manufacturing Division, Yamasa Corporation, Choshi, Japan
- Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Fukushima University, Fukushima, Japan
- Institute of Fermentation Sciences, Fukushima University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Mogi
- Manufacturing Division, Yamasa Corporation, Choshi, Japan
| | - Masafumi Tokuoka
- Department of Fermentation Science, Faculty of Applied Bio-Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiro Ohnishi
- Department of Fermentation Science, Faculty of Applied Bio-Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
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Castillo D, Højsting AR, Roosvall A, Smyrlis G, Jørgensen J, Middelboe M. In Vitro Evolution of Specific Phages Infecting the Fish Pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum. PHAGE 2022; 3:28-37. [PMID: 37025924 PMCID: PMC10071593 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2022.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Flavobacterium psychrophilum is the causative agent of the bacterial cold-water disease and rainbow trout fry syndrome. Owing to the issues associated with increasing use of antibiotics to control the diseases, phage therapy has been proposed as an alternative method to control Flavobacterium infection within the industry. Materials and Methods We explored two simple and fast in vitro strategies for the isolation of evolved F. psychrophilum phages, using three well-characterized phages FpV4, FpV9, and FPSV-S20. Results During in vitro serial transfer experiments, 12 evolved phages were selected 72-96 h after phage exposure in the first or second week. Phenotype analysis showed improvement of host range and efficiency of plating and adsorption constants. Comparative genomic analysis of the evolved phages identified 13 independent point mutations causing amino acid changes mostly in hypothetical proteins. Conclusions These results confirmed the reliability and effectivity of two strategies to isolate evolved F. psychrophilum phages, which may be used to expand phage-host range and target phage-resistant pathogens in phage therapy applications against Flavobacterium infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Castillo
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
- Instituto de Investigación Interdisciplinar en Ciencias Biomédicas SEK (I3CBSEK), Universidad SEK, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Andrea Roosvall
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Giorgos Smyrlis
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Johanna Jørgensen
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Mathias Middelboe
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
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12
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Liu S, Lu H, Zhang S, Shi Y, Chen Q. Phages against Pathogenic Bacterial Biofilms and Biofilm-Based Infections: A Review. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020427. [PMID: 35214158 PMCID: PMC8875263 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms formed by pathogens are known to be hundreds of times more resistant to antimicrobial agents than planktonic cells, making it extremely difficult to cure biofilm-based infections despite the use of antibiotics, which poses a serious threat to human health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop promising alternative antimicrobial therapies to reduce the burden of drug-resistant bacterial infections caused by biofilms. As natural enemies of bacteria, bacteriophages (phages) have the advantages of high specificity, safety and non-toxicity, and possess great potential in the defense and removal of pathogenic bacterial biofilms, which are considered to be alternatives to treat bacterial diseases. This work mainly reviews the composition, structure and formation process of bacterial biofilms, briefly discusses the interaction between phages and biofilms, and summarizes several strategies based on phages and their derivatives against biofilms and drug-resistant bacterial infections caused by biofilms, serving the purpose of developing novel, safe and effective treatment methods against biofilm-based infections and promoting the application of phages in maintaining human health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ying Shi
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (Q.C.); Tel.: +86-139-6717-1522 (Y.S.)
| | - Qihe Chen
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (Q.C.); Tel.: +86-139-6717-1522 (Y.S.)
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13
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Musin EV, Kim AL, Dubrovskii AV, Ariskina EV, Kudryashova EB, Tikhonenko SA. The Pathways to Create Containers for Bacteriophage Delivery. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14030613. [PMID: 35160602 PMCID: PMC8840248 DOI: 10.3390/polym14030613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health threat. One of the possible ways to solve this problem is phage therapy, but the instability of bacteriophages hinders the development of this approach. A bacteriophage delivery system that stabilizes the phage is one of the possible solutions to this problem. This study is dedicated to exploring methods to create encapsulated forms of bacteriophages for delivery. We studied the effect of proteolytic enzymes on the destruction of the polyelectrolyte microcapsule shell and revealed that protease from Streptomyces griseus was able to destroy the membrane of the microcapsule (dextran sulfate/polyarginine)3 ((DS/PArg)3). In addition, the protease decreased the activity of the bacteriophage in the second hour of incubation, and the phage lost activity after 16 h. It was found that a medium with pH 9.02 did not affect the survival of the bacteriophage or E. coli. The bacteriophages were encapsulated into polyelectrolyte microcapsules (DS/PArg)3. It was established that it is impossible to use microcapsules as a means of delivering bacteriophages since the bacteriophages are inactivated. When bacteriophages were included inside a CaCO3 core, it was demonstrated that the phage retained activity before and after the dissolution of the CaCO3 particle. From the results of this study, we recommend using CaCO3 microparticles as a container for bacteriophage delivery through the acidic stomach barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egor V. Musin
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Science, Institutskaya St., 3, 142290 Puschino, Moscow Region, Russia; (E.V.M.); (A.L.K.); (A.V.D.)
| | - Aleksandr L. Kim
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Science, Institutskaya St., 3, 142290 Puschino, Moscow Region, Russia; (E.V.M.); (A.L.K.); (A.V.D.)
| | - Alexey V. Dubrovskii
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Science, Institutskaya St., 3, 142290 Puschino, Moscow Region, Russia; (E.V.M.); (A.L.K.); (A.V.D.)
| | - Elena V. Ariskina
- All-Russian Collection of Microorganisms (VKM), G. K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Nauki 5, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia; (E.B.K.); (E.V.A.)
| | - Ekaterina B. Kudryashova
- All-Russian Collection of Microorganisms (VKM), G. K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Nauki 5, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia; (E.B.K.); (E.V.A.)
| | - Sergey A. Tikhonenko
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Science, Institutskaya St., 3, 142290 Puschino, Moscow Region, Russia; (E.V.M.); (A.L.K.); (A.V.D.)
- Correspondence:
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14
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A novel method to create efficient phage cocktails via use of phage-resistant bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0232321. [PMID: 35080902 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02323-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid anti-phage mutation of pathogens is a big challenge often encountered in the application of phages in aquaculture, animal husbandry and human disease prevention. A cocktail composed of phages with different infection strategies can better suppress the anti-phage resistance of pathogens. However, randomly selecting phages with different infection strategies is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Here, we verified that using a resistant pathogen quickly-evolved under single phage infection as the new host can easily obtain phages with different infection strategies. We randomly isolated two lytic phages (i.e., Va1 and Va2) that infect the opportunistic pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus. Whether they were used alone or in combination, the pathogen easily gained resistance. Using a mutated pathogen resistant to Va1 as a new host, a third lytic phage Va3 was isolated. These three phages have a similar infection cycle and lytic ability, but quite different morphologies and genome information. Notably, phage Va3 is a jumbo phage containing a larger and more complex genome (240 kb) than Va1 and Va2. Furthermore, the 34 tRNAs and multiple genes encoding receptor binding proteins and NAD+ synthesis proteins in the Va3 genome implicated its quite different infection strategy compared to Va1 and Va2. Although the wild-type pathogen could still readily evolve resistance under single phage infection by Va3, when Va3 was used in combination with Va1 and Va2, pathogen resistance was strongly suppressed. This study provides a novel approach for rapid isolation of phages with different infection strategies, which will be highly beneficial when designing effective phage cocktails. Importance The rapid anti-phage mutation of pathogens is a big challenge often encountered in phage therapy. Using a cocktail composed of phages with different infection strategies can better overcome this problem. However, randomly selecting phages with different infection strategies is time-consuming and labor-intensive. To address this problem, we developed a method to efficiently obtain phages with disparate infection strategies. The trick is to use the characteristics of the pathogenic bacteria that are prone to develop resistance to single phage infection, to rapidly obtain the anti-phage variant of the pathogen. Using this anti-phage variant as the host results in other phages with different infection strategies being efficiently isolated. We also verified the reliability of this method by demonstrating the ideal phage control effects on two pathogens, and thus revealed its potential importance in the development of phage therapies.
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15
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Kunttu HMT, Runtuvuori-Salmela A, Sundell K, Wiklund T, Middelboe M, Landor L, Ashrafi R, Hoikkala V, Sundberg LR. Bacteriophage Resistance Affects Flavobacterium columnare Virulence Partly via Mutations in Genes Related to Gliding Motility and the Type IX Secretion System. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e0081221. [PMID: 34106011 PMCID: PMC8315173 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00812-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing problems with antibiotic resistance have directed interest toward phage therapy in the aquaculture industry. However, phage resistance evolving in target bacteria is considered a challenge. To investigate how phage resistance influences the fish pathogen Flavobacterium columnare, two wild-type bacterial isolates, FCO-F2 and FCO-F9, were exposed to phages (FCO-F2 to FCOV-F2, FCOV-F5, and FCOV-F25, and FCO-F9 to FCL-2, FCOV-F13, and FCOV-F45), and resulting phenotypic and genetic changes in bacteria were analyzed. Bacterial viability first decreased in the exposure cultures but started to increase after 1 to 2 days, along with a change in colony morphology from original rhizoid to rough, leading to 98% prevalence of the rough morphotype. Twenty-four isolates (including four isolates from no-phage treatments) were further characterized for phage resistance, antibiotic susceptibility, motility, adhesion, and biofilm formation, protease activity, whole-genome sequencing, and virulence in rainbow trout fry. The rough isolates arising in phage exposure were phage resistant with low virulence, whereas rhizoid isolates maintained phage susceptibility and high virulence. Gliding motility and protease activity were also related to the phage susceptibility. Observed mutations in phage-resistant isolates were mostly located in genes encoding the type IX secretion system, a component of the Bacteroidetes gliding motility machinery. However, not all phage-resistant isolates had mutations, indicating that phage resistance in F. columnare is a multifactorial process, including both genetic mutations and changes in gene expression. Phage resistance may not, however, be a challenge for development of phage therapy against F. columnare infections since phage resistance is associated with decreases in bacterial virulence. IMPORTANCE Phage resistance of infectious bacteria is a common phenomenon posing challenges for the development of phage therapy. Along with a growing world population and the need for increased food production, constantly intensifying animal farming has to face increasing problems of infectious diseases. Columnaris disease, caused by Flavobacterium columnare, is a worldwide threat for salmonid fry and juvenile farming. Without antibiotic treatments, infections can lead to 100% mortality in a fish stock. Phage therapy of columnaris disease would reduce the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic loads by the aquaculture industry, but phage-resistant bacterial isolates may become a risk. However, phenotypic and genetic characterization of phage-resistant F. columnare isolates in this study revealed that they are less virulent than phage-susceptible isolates and thus not a challenge for phage therapy against columnaris disease. This is valuable information for the fish farming industry globally when considering phage-based prevention and curing methods for F. columnare infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M. T. Kunttu
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Anniina Runtuvuori-Salmela
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Krister Sundell
- Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Tom Wiklund
- Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Mathias Middelboe
- Department of Biology, Marine Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Lotta Landor
- Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Roghaieh Ashrafi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Ville Hoikkala
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Lotta-Riina Sundberg
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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16
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Daniel C, Johanna J, Krister S, Lone M, Inger D, Tom W, Mathias M. Genome-informed approach to identify genetic determinants of Flavobacterium psychrophilum phage susceptibility. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:4185-4199. [PMID: 33989443 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The fish pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum infects farmed salmonids worldwide, and application of bacteriophages has been suggested for controlling disease outbreaks in aquaculture. Successful application of phages requires detailed knowledge about the variability in phage susceptibility of the host communities. In this study, we analysed the genetic diversity of F. psychrophilum hosts and phages from the Baltic Sea area to identify genetic determinants of phage-host interaction patterns. A host range analysis of 103 phages tested against 177 F. psychrophilum strains (18 231 phage-host interactions) identified nine phage clusters, infecting from 10% to 91% of the strain collection. The core genome-based comparison of 35 F. psychrophilum isolates revealed an extremely low overall genomic diversity (>99.5% similarity). However, a small subset of 16 ORFs, including genes involved in the type IX secretion system (T9SS), gliding motility and hypothetical cell-surface related proteins, exhibited a highly elevated genetic diversity. These specific genetic variations were linked to variability in phage infection patterns obtained from experimental studies, indicating that these genes are key determinants of phage susceptibility. These findings provide novel insights on the molecular mechanisms determining phage susceptibility in F. psychrophilum and emphasizes the importance of phages as drivers of core genomic diversity in this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Castillo Daniel
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark.,Instituto de Investigación Interdisciplinar en Ciencias Biomédicas SEK (I3CBSEK), Universidad SEK, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jørgensen Johanna
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Sundell Krister
- Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology, Marine and Environmental Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Madsen Lone
- Unit for Fish and Shellfish Diseases, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Dalsgaard Inger
- Unit for Fish and Shellfish Diseases, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Wiklund Tom
- Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology, Marine and Environmental Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Middelboe Mathias
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
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17
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Isaev AB, Musharova OS, Severinov KV. Microbial Arsenal of Antiviral Defenses - Part I. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 86:319-337. [PMID: 33838632 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297921030081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophages or phages are viruses that infect bacterial cells (for the scope of this review we will also consider viruses that infect Archaea). Constant threat of phage infection is a major force that shapes evolution of the microbial genomes. To withstand infection, bacteria had evolved numerous strategies to avoid recognition by phages or to directly interfere with phage propagation inside the cell. Classical molecular biology and genetic engineering have been deeply intertwined with the study of phages and host defenses. Nowadays, owing to the rise of phage therapy, broad application of CRISPR-Cas technologies, and development of bioinformatics approaches that facilitate discovery of new systems, phage biology experiences a revival. This review describes variety of strategies employed by microbes to counter phage infection, with a focus on novel systems discovered in recent years. First chapter covers defense associated with cell surface, role of small molecules, and innate immunity systems relying on DNA modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem B Isaev
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, 143028, Russia.
| | - Olga S Musharova
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, 143028, Russia. .,Institute of Molecular Genetics, Moscow, 119334, Russia
| | - Konstantin V Severinov
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, 143028, Russia. .,Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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18
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The Development of Bacteriophage Resistance in Vibrio alginolyticus Depends on a Complex Metabolic Adaptation Strategy. Viruses 2021; 13:v13040656. [PMID: 33920240 PMCID: PMC8069663 DOI: 10.3390/v13040656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Lytic bacteriophages have been well documented to play a pivotal role in microbial ecology due to their complex interactions with bacterial species, especially in aquatic habitats. Although the use of phages as antimicrobial agents, known as phage therapy, in the aquatic environment has been increasing, recent research has revealed drawbacks due to the development of phage-resistant strains among Gram-negative species. Acquired phage resistance in marine Vibrios has been proven to be a very complicated process utilizing biochemical, metabolic, and molecular adaptation strategies. The results of our multi-omics approach, incorporating transcriptome and metabolome analyses of Vibrio alginolyticus phage-resistant strains, corroborate this prospect. Our results provide insights into phage-tolerant strains diminishing the expression of phage receptors ompF, lamB, and btuB. The same pattern was observed for genes encoding natural nutrient channels, such as rbsA, ptsG, tryP, livH, lysE, and hisp, meaning that the cell needs to readjust its biochemistry to achieve phage resistance. The results showed reprogramming of bacterial metabolism by transcript regulations in key-metabolic pathways, such as the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and lysine biosynthesis, as well as the content of intracellular metabolites belonging to processes that could also significantly affect the cell physiology. Finally, SNP analysis in resistant strains revealed no evidence of amino acid alterations in the studied putative bacterial phage receptors, but several SNPs were detected in genes involved in transcriptional regulation. This phenomenon appears to be a phage-specific, fine-tuned metabolic engineering, imposed by the different phage genera the bacteria have interacted with, updating the role of lytic phages in microbial marine ecology.
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19
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Jiang R, Lu XJ, Lu JF, Chen J. Characterization of ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) urocortin: The function of an endocrine factor in monocyte/macrophage regulation. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 117:103978. [PMID: 33338518 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Urocortin (UCN) is a hormone in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that is expressed in various immune cells. However, the function of teleost UCN in the immune system remains unclear. In this study, we cloned the cDNA sequence of UCN from ayu Plecoglossus altivelis (PaUCN). Sequence and phylogenetic tree analyses showed that PaUCN clustered within the fish UCN 1 group and was most related to the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) UCN. PaUCN was expressed in all tested tissues and its expression increased in the liver, spleen, head kidney, and gill upon Vibrio anguillarum infection. Mature PaUCN protein (mPaUCN) treatment affected the phagocytosis and bacterial killing of monocytes/macrophages (MO/MФ). mPaUCN reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in MO/MФ, which was partially mediated via interaction with ayu interleukin-6. mPaUCN reduced bacterial load and increased the survival of V. anguillarum-infected ayu. Overall, UCN as an endocrine factor regulates the immune response of ayu after infection by activating MO/MФ, thus contributing to enhance fish survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Xin-Jiang Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), China.
| | - Jian-Fei Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Jiong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia P. Duddy
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United States of America
| | - Bonnie L. Bassler
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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21
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Mutalik VK, Adler BA, Rishi HS, Piya D, Zhong C, Koskella B, Kutter EM, Calendar R, Novichkov PS, Price MN, Deutschbauer AM, Arkin AP. High-throughput mapping of the phage resistance landscape in E. coli. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000877. [PMID: 33048924 PMCID: PMC7553319 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) are critical players in the dynamics and function of microbial communities and drive processes as diverse as global biogeochemical cycles and human health. Phages tend to be predators finely tuned to attack specific hosts, even down to the strain level, which in turn defend themselves using an array of mechanisms. However, to date, efforts to rapidly and comprehensively identify bacterial host factors important in phage infection and resistance have yet to be fully realized. Here, we globally map the host genetic determinants involved in resistance to 14 phylogenetically diverse double-stranded DNA phages using two model Escherichia coli strains (K-12 and BL21) with known sequence divergence to demonstrate strain-specific differences. Using genome-wide loss-of-function and gain-of-function genetic technologies, we are able to confirm previously described phage receptors as well as uncover a number of previously unknown host factors that confer resistance to one or more of these phages. We uncover differences in resistance factors that strongly align with the susceptibility of K-12 and BL21 to specific phage. We also identify both phage-specific mechanisms, such as the unexpected role of cyclic-di-GMP in host sensitivity to phage N4, and more generic defenses, such as the overproduction of colanic acid capsular polysaccharide that defends against a wide array of phages. Our results indicate that host responses to phages can occur via diverse cellular mechanisms. Our systematic and high-throughput genetic workflow to characterize phage-host interaction determinants can be extended to diverse bacteria to generate datasets that allow predictive models of how phage-mediated selection will shape bacterial phenotype and evolution. The results of this study and future efforts to map the phage resistance landscape will lead to new insights into the coevolution of hosts and their phage, which can ultimately be used to design better phage therapeutic treatments and tools for precision microbiome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek K. Mutalik
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Benjamin A. Adler
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Harneet S. Rishi
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Designated Emphasis Program in Computational and Genomic Biology, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Denish Piya
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Crystal Zhong
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Britt Koskella
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | | | - Richard Calendar
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Pavel S. Novichkov
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Morgan N. Price
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Adam M. Deutschbauer
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Adam P. Arkin
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Designated Emphasis Program in Computational and Genomic Biology, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
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22
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Mauritzen JJ, Castillo D, Tan D, Svenningsen SL, Middelboe M. Beyond Cholera: Characterization of zot-Encoding Filamentous Phages in the Marine Fish Pathogen Vibrio anguillarum. Viruses 2020; 12:v12070730. [PMID: 32640584 PMCID: PMC7412436 DOI: 10.3390/v12070730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Zonula occludens toxin (Zot) is a conserved protein in filamentous vibriophages and has been reported as a putative toxin in Vibrio cholerae. Recently, widespread distribution of zot-encoding prophages was found among marine Vibrio species, including environmental isolates. However, little is known about the dynamics of these prophages beyond V. cholerae. In this study, we characterized and quantified the zot-encoding filamentous phage VAIϕ, spontaneously induced from the fish pathogen V. anguillarum. VAIϕ contained 6117 bp encoding 11 ORFs, including ORF8pVAI, exhibiting 27%–73% amino acid identity to Inovirus Zot-like proteins. A qPCR method revealed an average of four VAIϕ genomes per host genome during host exponential growth phase, and PCR demonstrated dissemination of induced VAIϕ to other V. anguillarum strains through re-integration in non-lysogens. VAIϕ integrated into both chromosomes of V. anguillarum by recombination, causing changes in a putative ORF in the phage genome. Phylogenetic analysis of the V. anguillarumInoviridae elements revealed mosaic genome structures related to mainly V. cholerae. Altogether, this study contributes to the understanding of Inovirus infection dynamics and mobilization of zot-like genes beyond human pathogenic vibrios, and discusses their potential role in the evolution of the fish pathogen V. anguillarum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper Juel Mauritzen
- Marine Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, 3000 Helsingør, Denmark; (J.J.M.); (D.C.)
| | - Daniel Castillo
- Marine Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, 3000 Helsingør, Denmark; (J.J.M.); (D.C.)
| | - Demeng Tan
- Section for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 København N, Denmark; (D.T.); (S.L.S.)
| | - Sine Lo Svenningsen
- Section for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 København N, Denmark; (D.T.); (S.L.S.)
| | - Mathias Middelboe
- Marine Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, 3000 Helsingør, Denmark; (J.J.M.); (D.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-35-32-19-91
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23
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Tan D, Hansen MF, de Carvalho LN, Røder HL, Burmølle M, Middelboe M, Svenningsen SL. High cell densities favor lysogeny: induction of an H20 prophage is repressed by quorum sensing and enhances biofilm formation in Vibrio anguillarum. THE ISME JOURNAL 2020; 14:1731-1742. [PMID: 32269377 PMCID: PMC7305317 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-0641-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Temperate ϕH20-like phages are repeatedly identified at geographically distinct areas as free phage particles or as prophages of the fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum. We studied mutants of a lysogenic isolate of V. anguillarum locked in the quorum-sensing regulatory modes of low (ΔvanT) and high (ΔvanO) cell densities by in-frame deletion of key regulators of the quorum-sensing pathway. Remarkably, we find that induction of the H20-like prophage is controlled by the quorum-sensing state of the host, with an eightfold increase in phage particles per cell in high-cell-density cultures of the quorum-sensing-deficient ΔvanT mutant. Comparative studies with prophage-free strains show that biofilm formation is promoted at low cell density and that the H20-like prophage stimulates this behavior. In contrast, the high-cell-density state is associated with reduced prophage induction, increased proteolytic activity, and repression of biofilm. The proteolytic activity may dually function to disperse the biofilm and as a quorum-sensing-mediated antiphage strategy. We demonstrate an intertwined regulation of phage-host interactions and biofilm formation, which is orchestrated by host quorum-sensing signaling, suggesting that increased lysogeny at high cell density is not solely a strategy for phages to piggy-back the successful bacterial hosts but is also a host strategy evolved to take control of the lysis-lysogeny switch to promote host fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demeng Tan
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Dalian SEM Bio-Engineering Technology Co. Ltd, Dalian, China
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mads Frederik Hansen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Mette Burmølle
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mathias Middelboe
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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24
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Wang G, Liu Q, Pei Z, Wang L, Tian P, Liu Z, Zhao J, Zhang H, Chen W. The Diversity of the CRISPR-Cas System and Prophages Present in the Genome Reveals the Co-evolution of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum and Phages. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1088. [PMID: 32528454 PMCID: PMC7264901 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse CRISPR-Cas systems constitute an indispensable part of the bacterial adaptive immune system against viral infections. However, to escape from this immune system, bacteriophages have also evolved corresponding anti-defense measures. We investigated the diversity of CRISPR-Cas systems and the presence of prophages in the genomes of 66 Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum strains. Our findings revealed a high occurrence of complete CRISPR-Cas systems (62%, 41/66) in the B. pseudocatenulatum genomes. Subtypes I-C, I-U and II-A, were found to be widespread in this species. No significant association was found between the number of bacterial CRISPR spacers and its host's age. This study on prophages within B. pseudocatenulatum genomes revealed that prophage genes related to distinct functional modules became degraded at different levels, indicating that these prophages were not likely to enter lytic cycle spontaneously. Further, the evolutionary analysis of prophages in this study revealed that they might be derived from different phage ancestors. Notably, self-targeting phenomenon within B. pseudocatenulatum and Anti-CRISPR (Acr) coding genes in prophages was observed. Overall, our results indicate that the competition between B. pseudocatenulatum and phages is a major driving factor for the genomic diversity of both partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhangming Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Peijun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhenmin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Dairy Biotechnology, Dairy Research Institute, Bright Dairy & Food Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Jianxin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,(Yangzhou) Institute of Food Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Yangzhou, China.,National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Wuxi Translational Medicine Research Center and Jiangsu Translational Medicine Research Institute Wuxi Branch, Wuxi, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Beijing Innovation Centre of Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, China
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25
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Tan D, Zhang Y, Qin J, Le S, Gu J, Chen LK, Guo X, Zhu T. A Frameshift Mutation in wcaJ Associated with Phage Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8030378. [PMID: 32156053 PMCID: PMC7142929 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8030378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy is a potential and promising avenue for controlling the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae, however, the rapid development of anti-phage resistance has been identified as an obstacle to the development of phage therapy. Little is known about the mechanism employed by MDR K. pneumoniae strains and how they protect themselves from lytic phage predation in vitro and in vivo. In this study, comparative genomic analysis shows undecaprenyl-phosphate glucose-1-phosphate transferase (WcaJ), the initial enzyme catalyzing the biosynthesis of colanic acid, is necessary for the adsorption of phage 117 (Podoviridae) to the host strain Kp36 to complete its lytic life cycle. In-frame deletion of wcaJ alone was sufficient to provide phage 117 resistance in the Kp36 wild-type strain. Complementation assays demonstrated the susceptibility of phage 117, and the mucoid phenotype could be restored in the resistant strain Kp36-117R by expressing the wild-type version of wcaJ. Remarkably, we found that bacterial mobile genetic elements (insA and insB) block phage 117 infections by disrupting the coding region of wcaJ, thus preventing phage adsorption to its phage receptor. Further, we revealed that the wcaJ mutation likely occurred spontaneously rather than adapted by phage 117 predation under unfavorable environments. Taken together, our results address a crucial evolutionary question around the mechanisms of phage-host interactions, increasing our current understandings of anti-phage defense mechanisms in this important MDR pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demeng Tan
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
- Correspondence: (D.T.); (T.Z.)
| | - Yiyuan Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Jinhong Qin
- Institutes of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Shuai Le
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Jingmin Gu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Li-kuang Chen
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Xiaokui Guo
- Institutes of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Tongyu Zhu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
- Correspondence: (D.T.); (T.Z.)
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26
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Bunpa S, Chaichana N, Teng JLL, Lee HH, Woo PCY, Sermwittayawong D, Sawangjaroen N, Sermwittayawong N. Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) is a potential virulence factor of Vibrio alginolyticus strains isolated from diseased fish. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2020; 43:275-284. [PMID: 31779054 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Vibrio alginolyticus is one of the most serious causative agents of diseases in cultured marine fish and shellfish. However, the characteristics of virulence factors in pathogenic V. alginolyticus are poorly known. To gain insight into fish diseases caused by V. alginolyticus, we carried out two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to identify uniquely expressed proteins in the disease-causing V. alginolyticus. V. alginolyticus strains were isolated from marine environments and diseased fish obtained from southern Thailand. We identified seven unique proteins in the disease-causing V. alginolyticus strain. Among those, the outer membrane protein A (OmpA) had the strongest expression. Therefore, the function of this protein was further analysed. To investigate the role of OmpA protein, an in-frame deletion mutant of ompA was constructed using the homologous recombination method. Although the ompA mutant V. alginolyticus strain (ΔompA) grew normally, the mutant exhibited a significant defect in the swarming ability and the biofilm formation. Furthermore, Galleria mellonella larvae injected with the mutant bacteria had a significantly greater survival percentage than those injected with the wild-type strain, demonstrating that OmpA protein is required for the pathogenicity of V. alginolyticus. Together, this study suggests a potential target for vaccine development against pathogenic V. alginolyticus strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supansa Bunpa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Nattarika Chaichana
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Jade L L Teng
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hwei Huih Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Patrick C Y Woo
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Decha Sermwittayawong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Nongyao Sawangjaroen
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
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27
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Large Phenotypic and Genetic Diversity of Prophages Induced from the Fish Pathogen Vibrio anguillarum. Viruses 2019; 11:v11110983. [PMID: 31653117 PMCID: PMC6893619 DOI: 10.3390/v11110983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vibrio anguillarum is a marine pathogenic bacterium that causes vibriosis in fish and shellfish. Although prophage-like sequences have been predicted in V. anguillarum strains, many are not characterized, and it is not known if they retain the functional capacity to form infectious particles that can infect and lysogenize other bacterial hosts. In this study, the genome sequences of 28 V. anguillarum strains revealed 55 different prophage-related elements. Chemical and spontaneous induction allowed a collection of 42 phage isolates, which were classified in seven different groups according to a multiplex PCR assay. One shared prophage sequence, p41 (group III), was present in 17 V. anguillarum strains, suggesting that this specific element is very dynamically exchanged among V. anguillarum populations. Interestingly, the host range of genetically identical phages was highly dependent on the strains used for proliferation, indicating that phenotypic properties of phages were partly regulated by the host. Finally, experimental evidence displayed that the induced phage ɸVa_90-11-287_p41 was able to lysogenize V. anguillarum strain Ba35, and subsequently spontaneously become released from the lysogenized cells, demonstrating an efficient transfer of the phage among V. anguillarum strains. Altogether, the results showed large genetic and functional diversity and broad distribution of prophages in V. anguillarum, and demonstrated the potential of prophages as drivers of evolution in V. anguillarum strains.
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28
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León M, Kokkari C, García K, Castillo D, Katharios P, Bastías R. Diversification of Vibrio anguillarum Driven by the Bacteriophage CHOED. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1396. [PMID: 31281297 PMCID: PMC6596326 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are an important factor in bacterial evolution. Some reports suggest that lytic bacteriophages can select for resistant mutant strains with reduced virulence. The present study explores the role of the CHOED bacteriophage in the diversification and virulence of its host Vibrio anguillarum. Nine phage-resistant strains were analyzed for their phenotype and different virulence factors, showing alterations in their fitness, motility, biofilm formation, lipopolysaccharide profiles and/or protease activity. Seven of the nine phage-resistant strains showed virulence reduction in a Sparus aurata larvae model. However, this is not generalized since two of the resistant strains show equal virulence compared with the parental strain. The genomic analysis of representative resistant strains displayed that the majority of the mutations are specific for each isolate, affecting genes related to lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, quorum sensing, motility, toxin and membrane transport. The observed mutations were coherent with the phenotypic and virulence differences observed. These results suggest that the CHOED phage acts as a selective pressure on V. anguillarum, allowing proliferation of resistant strains with different genotypes, phenotypes and degrees of virulence, contributing to bacterial diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela León
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Constantina Kokkari
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Katherine García
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, San Miguel, Chile
| | - Daniel Castillo
- Marine Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Pantelis Katharios
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Roberto Bastías
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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29
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Big Impact of the Tiny: Bacteriophage-Bacteria Interactions in Biofilms. Trends Microbiol 2019; 27:739-752. [PMID: 31128928 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) have been shaping bacterial ecology and evolution for millions of years, for example, by selecting for defence strategies. Evidence supports that bacterial biofilm formation is one such strategy and that biofilm-mediated protection against phage infection depends on maturation and composition of the extracellular matrix. Interestingly, studies have revealed that phages can induce and strengthen biofilms. Here we review interactions between bacteria and phages in biofilms, discuss the underlying mechanisms, the potential of phage therapy for biofilm control, and emphasize the importance of considering biofilms in future phage research. This is especially relevant as biofilms are associated with increased tolerance towards antibiotics and are implicated in the majority of chronic infections.
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