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Zhu HX, Wright BW, Logel DY, Needham P, Yehl K, Molloy MP, Jaschke PR. IbpAB small heat shock proteins are not host factors for bacteriophage ϕX174 replication. Virology 2024; 597:110169. [PMID: 38996611 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Bacteriophage ϕX174 is a small icosahedral virus of the Microviridae with a rapid replication cycle. Previously, we found that in ϕX174 infections of Escherichia coli, the most highly upregulated host proteins are two small heat shock proteins, IbpA and IbpB, belonging to the HSP20 family, which is a universally conserved group of stress-induced molecular chaperones that prevent irreversible aggregation of proteins. Heat shock proteins were found to protect against ϕX174 lysis, but IbpA/B have not been studied. In this work, we disrupted the ibpA and ibpB genes and measured the effects on ϕX174 replication. We found that in contrast to other E. coli heat shock proteins, they are not necessary for ϕX174 replication; moreover, their absence has no discernible effect on ϕX174 fecundity. These results suggest IbpA/B upregulation is a response to ϕX174 protein expression but does not play a role in phage replication, and they are not Microviridae host factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah X Zhu
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bradley W Wright
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dominic Y Logel
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Patrick Needham
- Miami University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Oxford, 45056, USA
| | - Kevin Yehl
- Miami University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Oxford, 45056, USA
| | - Mark P Molloy
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Kolling Institute, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul R Jaschke
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
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2
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Spencer E, Peters T, Eline Y, Saucedo L, Linzan K, Paull K, Miller C, Van Leuven J. Bacteriophage resistance evolution in a honey bee pathogen. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.09.602782. [PMID: 39026776 PMCID: PMC11257554 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.09.602782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Honey bee ( Apis mellifera ) larvae are susceptible to the bacterial pathogen Paenibacillus larvae , which causes severe damage to bee colonies. Antibiotic treatment requires veterinary supervision in the United States, is not used in many parts of the world, perpetuates problems associated with antibiotic resistance, and can necessitate residual testing in bee products. There is interest in using bacteriophages to treat infected colonies (bacteriophage therapy) and several trials are promising. Nevertheless, the safety of using biological agents in the environment must be scrutinized. In this study we analyzed the ability of P. larvae to evolve resistance to several different bacteriophages. We found that bacteriophage resistance is rapidly developed in culture but often results in growth defects. Mutations in the bacteriophage-resistant isolates are concentrated in genes encoding potential surface receptors. Testing one of these isolates in bee larvae, we found it to have reduced virulence compared to the parental P. larvae strain. We also found that bacteriophages are likely able to counteract resistance evolution. This work suggests that while bacteriophage-resistance may arise, its impact will likely be mitigated by reduced pathogenicity and secondary bacteriophage mutations that overcome resistance.
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3
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Østergaard MZ, Nielsen FD, Meinfeldt MH, Kirkpatrick CL. The uncharacterized PA3040-3042 operon is part of the cell envelope stress response and a tobramycin resistance determinant in a clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0387523. [PMID: 38949386 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03875-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (hereafter "phages") are ubiquitous predators of bacteria in the natural world, but interest is growing in their development into antibacterial therapy as complement or replacement for antibiotics. However, bacteria have evolved a huge variety of antiphage defense systems allowing them to resist phage lysis to a greater or lesser extent. In addition to dedicated phage defense systems, some aspects of the general stress response also impact phage susceptibility, but the details of this are not well known. In order to elucidate these factors in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we used the laboratory-conditioned strain PAO1 as host for phage infection experiments as it is naturally poor in dedicated phage defense systems. Screening by transposon insertion sequencing indicated that the uncharacterized operon PA3040-PA3042 was potentially associated with resistance to lytic phages. However, we found that its primary role appeared to be in regulating biofilm formation, particularly in a clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa in which it also altered tobramycin resistance. Its expression was highly growth-phase dependent and responsive to phage infection and cell envelope stress. Our results suggest that this operon may be a cryptic but important locus for P. aeruginosa stress tolerance. IMPORTANCE An important category of bacterial stress response systems is bacteriophage defense, where systems are triggered by bacteriophage infection and activate a response which may either destroy the phage genome or destroy the infected cell so that the rest of the population survives. In some bacteria, the cell envelope stress response is activated by bacteriophage infection, but it is unknown whether this contributes to the survival of the infection. We have found that a conserved uncharacterized operon (PA3040-PA3042) of the cell envelope stress regulon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which has very few dedicated phage defense systems, responds to phage infection and stationary phase as well as envelope stress and is important for growth and biofilm formation in a clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa, even in the absence of phages. As homologs of these genes are found in other bacteria, they may be a novel component of the general stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Z Østergaard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Flemming D Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mette H Meinfeldt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Clare L Kirkpatrick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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4
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Kraus S, Fletcher ML, Łapińska U, Chawla K, Baker E, Attrill EL, O'Neill P, Farbos A, Jeffries A, Galyov EE, Korbsrisate S, Barnes KB, Harding SV, Tsaneva-Atanasova K, Blaskovich MAT, Pagliara S. Phage-induced efflux down-regulation boosts antibiotic efficacy. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012361. [PMID: 38941361 PMCID: PMC11239113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012361] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The interactions between a virus and its host vary in space and time and are affected by the presence of molecules that alter the physiology of either the host or the virus. Determining the molecular mechanisms at the basis of these interactions is paramount for predicting the fate of bacterial and phage populations and for designing rational phage-antibiotic therapies. We study the interactions between stationary phase Burkholderia thailandensis and the phage ΦBp-AMP1. Although heterogeneous genetic resistance to phage rapidly emerges in B. thailandensis, the presence of phage enhances the efficacy of three major antibiotic classes, the quinolones, the beta-lactams and the tetracyclines, but antagonizes tetrahydrofolate synthesis inhibitors. We discovered that enhanced antibiotic efficacy is facilitated by reduced antibiotic efflux in the presence of phage. This new phage-antibiotic therapy allows for eradication of stationary phase bacteria, whilst requiring reduced antibiotic concentrations, which is crucial for treating infections in sites where it is difficult to achieve high antibiotic concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Kraus
- Living Systems Institute and Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Megan L Fletcher
- Living Systems Institute and Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Urszula Łapińska
- Living Systems Institute and Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Krina Chawla
- Living Systems Institute and Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Evan Baker
- Department of Mathematics and Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
- EPSRC Hub for Quantitative Modelling in Healthcare, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Erin L Attrill
- Living Systems Institute and Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Paul O'Neill
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Audrey Farbos
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron Jeffries
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Edouard E Galyov
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Sunee Korbsrisate
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok Thailand
| | - Kay B Barnes
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah V Harding
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
| | - Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova
- Department of Mathematics and Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
- EPSRC Hub for Quantitative Modelling in Healthcare, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A T Blaskovich
- Centre for Superbug Solutions, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stefano Pagliara
- Living Systems Institute and Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
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Jensen RO, Schulz F, Roux S, Klingeman DM, Mitchell WP, Udwary D, Moraïs S, Reynoso V, Winkler J, Nagaraju S, De Tissera S, Shapiro N, Ivanova N, Reddy TBK, Mizrahi I, Utturkar SM, Bayer EA, Woyke T, Mouncey NJ, Jewett MC, Simpson SD, Köpke M, Jones DT, Brown SD. Phylogenomics and genetic analysis of solvent-producing Clostridium species. Sci Data 2024; 11:432. [PMID: 38693191 PMCID: PMC11063209 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03210-6] [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: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The genus Clostridium is a large and diverse group within the Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes), whose members can encode useful complex traits such as solvent production, gas-fermentation, and lignocellulose breakdown. We describe 270 genome sequences of solventogenic clostridia from a comprehensive industrial strain collection assembled by Professor David Jones that includes 194 C. beijerinckii, 57 C. saccharobutylicum, 4 C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum, 5 C. butyricum, 7 C. acetobutylicum, and 3 C. tetanomorphum genomes. We report methods, analyses and characterization for phylogeny, key attributes, core biosynthetic genes, secondary metabolites, plasmids, prophage/CRISPR diversity, cellulosomes and quorum sensing for the 6 species. The expanded genomic data described here will facilitate engineering of solvent-producing clostridia as well as non-model microorganisms with innately desirable traits. Sequences could be applied in conventional platform biocatalysts such as yeast or Escherichia coli for enhanced chemical production. Recently, gene sequences from this collection were used to engineer Clostridium autoethanogenum, a gas-fermenting autotrophic acetogen, for continuous acetone or isopropanol production, as well as butanol, butanoic acid, hexanol and hexanoic acid production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frederik Schulz
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Simon Roux
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel Udwary
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Moraïs
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | - Nicole Shapiro
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Natalia Ivanova
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - T B K Reddy
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Itzhak Mizrahi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Sagar M Utturkar
- Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Edward A Bayer
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Tanja Woyke
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- University of California Merced, Life and Environmental Sciences, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Nigel J Mouncey
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | | | - David T Jones
- Department of Microbiology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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6
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Hernandez CA, Delesalle VA, Krukonis GP, DeCurzio JM, Koskella B. Genomic and phenotypic signatures of bacteriophage coevolution with the phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e16850. [PMID: 36651263 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16850] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The rate and trajectory of evolution in an obligate parasite is critically dependent on those of its host(s). Adaptation to a genetically homogeneous host population should theoretically result in specialization, while adaptation to an evolving host population (i.e., coevolution) can result in various outcomes including diversification, range expansion, and/or local adaptation. For viruses of bacteria (bacteriophages, or phages), our understanding of how evolutionary history of the bacterial host(s) impacts viral genotypic and phenotypic evolution is currently limited. In this study, we used whole genome sequencing and two different metrics of phage impacts to compare the genotypes and phenotypes of lytic phages that had either coevolved with or were repeatedly passaged on an unchanging (ancestral) strain of the phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae. Genomes of coevolved phages had more mutations than those of phages passaged on a constant host, and most mutations were in genes encoding phage tail-associated proteins. Phages from both passaging treatments shared some phenotypic outcomes, including range expansion and divergence across replicate populations, but coevolved phages were more efficient at reducing population growth (particularly of sympatric coevolved hosts). Genotypic similarity correlated with infectivity profile similarity in coevolved phages, but not in phages passaged on the ancestral host. Overall, while adaptation to either host type (coevolving or ancestral) led to divergence in phage tail proteins and infectivity patterns, coevolution led to more rapid molecular changes that increased bacterial killing efficiency and had more predictable effects on infectivity range. Together, these results underscore the important role of hosts in driving viral evolution and in shaping the genotype-phenotype relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Hernandez
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, Berkeley, USA
| | | | - Greg P Krukonis
- Department of Biology, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas, USA
| | - Jenna M DeCurzio
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Britt Koskella
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, Berkeley, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
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7
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Chitboonthavisuk C, Martin C, Huss P, Peters JM, Anantharaman K, Raman S. Systematic genome-wide discovery of host factors governing bacteriophage infectivity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.20.590424. [PMID: 38659955 PMCID: PMC11042327 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.20.590424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial host factors regulate the infection cycle of bacteriophages. Except for some well-studied host factors (e.g., receptors or restriction-modification systems), the contribution of the rest of the host genome on phage infection remains poorly understood. We developed PHAGEPACK, a pooled assay that systematically and comprehensively measures each host-gene impact on phage fitness. PHAGEPACK combines CRISPR interference with phage packaging to link host perturbation to phage fitness during active infection. Using PHAGEPACK, we constructed a genome-wide map of genes impacting T7 phage fitness in permissive E. coli, revealing pathways previously unknown to affect phage packaging. When applied to the non-permissive E. coli O121, PHAGEPACK identified pathways leading to host resistance; their removal increased phage susceptibility up to a billion-fold. Bioinformatic analysis indicates phage genomes carry homologs or truncations of key host factors, potentially for fitness advantage. In summary, PHAGEPACK offers valuable insights into phage-host interactions, phage evolution, and bacterial resistance.
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8
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Berdejo D, Mortier J, Cambré A, Sobota M, Van Eyken R, Kim TD, Vanoirbeek K, García Gonzalo D, Pagán R, Diard M, Aertsen A. Evolutionary trade-off between heat shock resistance, growth at high temperature, and virulence expression in Salmonella Typhimurium. mBio 2024; 15:e0310523. [PMID: 38349183 PMCID: PMC10936172 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03105-23] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of foodborne pathogens throughout our food production chain is of utmost importance. In this study, we reveal that Salmonella Typhimurium can readily and reproducibly acquire vastly increased heat shock resistance upon repeated exposure to heat shock. Counterintuitively, this boost in heat shock resistance was invariantly acquired through loss-of-function mutations in the dnaJ gene, encoding a heat shock protein that acts as a molecular co-chaperone of DnaK and enables its role in protein folding and disaggregation. As a trade-off, however, the acquisition of heat shock resistance inevitably led to attenuated growth at 37°C and higher temperatures. Interestingly, loss of DnaJ also downregulated the activity of the master virulence regulator HilD, thereby lowering the fraction of virulence-expressing cells within the population and attenuating virulence in mice. By connecting heat shock resistance evolution to attenuation of HilD activity, our results confirm the complex interplay between stress resistance and virulence in Salmonella Typhimurium. IMPORTANCE Bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella Typhimurium are equipped with both stress response and virulence features in order to navigate across a variety of complex inhospitable environments that range from food-processing plants up to the gastrointestinal tract of its animal host. In this context, however, it remains obscure whether and how adaptation to one environment would obstruct fitness in another. In this study, we reveal that severe heat stress counterintuitively, but invariantly, led to the selection of S. Typhimurium mutants that are compromised in the activity of the DnaJ heat shock protein. While these mutants obtained massively increased heat resistance, their virulence became greatly attenuated. Our observations, therefore, reveal a delicate balance between optimal tuning of stress response and virulence features in bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Berdejo
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Julien Mortier
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexander Cambré
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Ronald Van Eyken
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Dongmin Kim
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristof Vanoirbeek
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Diego García Gonzalo
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rafael Pagán
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Abram Aertsen
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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9
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Vitt AR, Sørensen AN, Bojer MS, Bortolaia V, Sørensen MCH, Brøndsted L. Diverse bacteriophages for biocontrol of ESBL- and AmpC-β-lactamase-producing E. coli. iScience 2024; 27:108826. [PMID: 38322997 PMCID: PMC10844046 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Novel solutions are needed to reduce the risk of transmission of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli (ESBL/AmpC E. coli) from livestock to humans. Given that phages are promising biocontrol agents, a collection of 28 phages that infect ESBL/AmpC E. coli were established. Whole genome sequencing showed that all these phages were unique and could be assigned to 15 different genera. Host range analysis showed that 82% of 198 strains, representing the genetic diversity of ESBL/AmpC E. coli, were sensitive to at least one phage. Identifying receptors used for phage binding experimentally as well as in silico predictions, allowed us to combine phages into two different cocktails with broad host range targeting diverse receptors. These phage cocktails efficiently inhibit the growth of ESBL/AmpC E. coli in vitro, thus suggesting the potential of phages as promising biocontrol agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira R. Vitt
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Anders Nørgaard Sørensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Martin S. Bojer
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Valeria Bortolaia
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
| | - Martine C. Holst Sørensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Lone Brøndsted
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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10
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Wang X, Leptihn S. Defense and anti-defense mechanisms of bacteria and bacteriophages. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2024; 25:181-196. [PMID: 38453634 PMCID: PMC10918411 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2300101] [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] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
In the post-antibiotic era, the overuse of antimicrobials has led to a massive increase in antimicrobial resistance, leaving medical doctors few or no treatment options to fight infections caused by superbugs. The use of bacteriophages is a promising alternative to treat infections, supplementing or possibly even replacing antibiotics. Using phages for therapy is possible, since these bacterial viruses can kill bacteria specifically, causing no harm to the normal flora. However, bacteria have developed a multitude of sophisticated and complex ways to resist infection by phages, including abortive infection and the clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system. Phages also can evolve and acquire new anti-defense strategies to continue predation. An in-depth exploration of both defense and anti-defense mechanisms would contribute to optimizing phage therapy, while we would also gain novel insights into the microbial world. In this paper, we summarize recent research on bacterial phage resistance and phage anti-defense mechanisms, as well as collaborative win-win systems involving both virus and host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Wang
- School of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China.
| | - Sebastian Leptihn
- University of Edinburgh Medical School, Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK.
- HMU Health and Medical University, Am Anger 64/73- 99084 Erfurt, Germany.
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11
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Romeyer Dherbey J, Bertels F. The untapped potential of phage model systems as therapeutic agents. Virus Evol 2024; 10:veae007. [PMID: 38361821 PMCID: PMC10868562 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
With the emergence of widespread antibiotic resistance, phages are an appealing alternative to antibiotics in the fight against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Over the past few years, many phages have been isolated from various environments to treat bacterial pathogens. While isolating novel phages for treatment has had some success for compassionate use, developing novel phages into a general therapeutic will require considerable time and financial resource investments. These investments may be less significant for well-established phage model systems. The knowledge acquired from decades of research on their structure, life cycle, and evolution ensures safe application and efficient handling. However, one major downside of the established phage model systems is their inability to infect pathogenic bacteria. This problem is not insurmountable; phage host range can be extended through genetic engineering or evolution experiments. In the future, breeding model phages to infect pathogens could provide a new avenue to develop phage therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Romeyer Dherbey
- Microbial Population Biology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Straße 2, Plön, Schleswig-Holstein 24306, Germany
| | - Frederic Bertels
- Microbial Population Biology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Straße 2, Plön, Schleswig-Holstein 24306, Germany
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12
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Gios E, Mosley OE, Hoggard M, Handley KM. High niche specificity and host genetic diversity of groundwater viruses. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae035. [PMID: 38452204 PMCID: PMC10980836 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Viruses are key members of microbial communities that exert control over host abundance and metabolism, thereby influencing ecosystem processes and biogeochemical cycles. Aquifers are known to host taxonomically diverse microbial life, yet little is known about viruses infecting groundwater microbial communities. Here, we analysed 16 metagenomes from a broad range of groundwater physicochemistries. We recovered 1571 viral genomes that clustered into 468 high-quality viral operational taxonomic units. At least 15% were observed to be transcriptionally active, although lysis was likely constrained by the resource-limited groundwater environment. Most were unclassified (95%), and the remaining 5% were Caudoviricetes. Comparisons with viruses inhabiting other aquifers revealed no shared species, indicating substantial unexplored viral diversity. In silico predictions linked 22.4% of the viruses to microbial host populations, including to ultra-small prokaryotes, such as Patescibacteria and Nanoarchaeota. Many predicted hosts were associated with the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. Metabolic predictions revealed the presence of 205 putative auxiliary metabolic genes, involved in diverse processes associated with the utilization of the host's intracellular resources for biosynthesis and transformation reactions, including those involved in nucleotide sugar, glycan, cofactor, and vitamin metabolism. Viruses, prokaryotes overall, and predicted prokaryotic hosts exhibited narrow spatial distributions, and relative abundance correlations with the same groundwater parameters (e.g. dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and iron), consistent with host control over viral distributions. Results provide insights into underexplored groundwater viruses, and indicate the large extent to which viruses may manipulate microbial communities and biogeochemistry in the terrestrial subsurface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Gios
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- NINA, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim 7034, Norway
| | - Olivia E Mosley
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- NatureMetrics Ltd, Surrey Research Park, Guildford GU2 7HJ, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Hoggard
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Kim M Handley
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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13
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Yu MA, Banta AB, Ward RD, Prasad NK, Kwon MS, Rosenberg OS, Peters JM. Investigating Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gene Function During Pathogenesis Using Mobile-CRISPRi. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2721:13-32. [PMID: 37819512 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3473-8_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) is a robust gene silencing technique that is ideal for targeting essential and conditionally essential (CE) genes. CRISPRi is especially valuable for investigating gene function in pathogens such as P. aeruginosa where essential and CE genes underlie clinically important phenotypes such as antibiotic susceptibility and virulence. To facilitate the use of CRISPRi in diverse bacteria-including P. aeruginosa-we developed a suite of modular, mobilizable, and integrating vectors we call, "Mobile-CRISPRi." We further optimized Mobile-CRISPRi for use in P. aeruginosa mouse models of acute lung infection by expressing the CRISPRi machinery at low levels constitutively, enabling partial knockdown of essential and CE genes without the need for an exogenous inducer. Here, we describe protocols for creating Mobile-CRISPRi knockdown strains and testing their phenotypes in a mouse pneumonia model of P. aeruginosa infection. In addition, we provide comprehensive guide RNA designs to target genes in common laboratory strains of P. aeruginosa and other Pseudomonas species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Yu
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amy B Banta
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ryan D Ward
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Neha K Prasad
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Kwon
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Oren S Rosenberg
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jason M Peters
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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14
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Piya D, Nolan N, Moore ML, Ramirez Hernandez LA, Cress BF, Young R, Arkin AP, Mutalik VK. Systematic and scalable genome-wide essentiality mapping to identify nonessential genes in phages. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002416. [PMID: 38048319 PMCID: PMC10695390 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002416] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Phages are one of the key ecological drivers of microbial community dynamics, function, and evolution. Despite their importance in bacterial ecology and evolutionary processes, phage genes are poorly characterized, hampering their usage in a variety of biotechnological applications. Methods to characterize such genes, even those critical to the phage life cycle, are labor intensive and are generally phage specific. Here, we develop a systematic gene essentiality mapping method scalable to new phage-host combinations that facilitate the identification of nonessential genes. As a proof of concept, we use an arrayed genome-wide CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) assay to map gene essentiality landscape in the canonical coliphages λ and P1. Results from a single panel of CRISPRi probes largely recapitulate the essential gene roster determined from decades of genetic analysis for lambda and provide new insights into essential and nonessential loci in P1. We present evidence of how CRISPRi polarity can lead to false positive gene essentiality assignments and recommend caution towards interpreting CRISPRi data on gene essentiality when applied to less studied phages. Finally, we show that we can engineer phages by inserting DNA barcodes into newly identified inessential regions, which will empower processes of identification, quantification, and tracking of phages in diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denish Piya
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Nolan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Madeline L. Moore
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Luis A. Ramirez Hernandez
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Brady F. Cress
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Ry Young
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Phage Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Adam P. Arkin
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Vivek K. Mutalik
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
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15
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Miano A, Rychel K, Lezia A, Sastry A, Palsson B, Hasty J. High-resolution temporal profiling of E. coli transcriptional response. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7606. [PMID: 37993418 PMCID: PMC10665441 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43173-7] [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: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how cells dynamically adapt to their environment is a primary focus of biology research. Temporal information about cellular behavior is often limited by both small numbers of data time-points and the methods used to analyze this data. Here, we apply unsupervised machine learning to a data set containing the activity of 1805 native promoters in E. coli measured every 10 minutes in a high-throughput microfluidic device via fluorescence time-lapse microscopy. Specifically, this data set reveals E. coli transcriptome dynamics when exposed to different heavy metal ions. We use a bioinformatics pipeline based on Independent Component Analysis (ICA) to generate insights and hypotheses from this data. We discovered three primary, time-dependent stages of promoter activation to heavy metal stress (fast, intermediate, and steady). Furthermore, we uncovered a global strategy E. coli uses to reallocate resources from stress-related promoters to growth-related promoters following exposure to heavy metal stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Miano
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gliman Dr, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Kevin Rychel
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gliman Dr, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Lezia
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gliman Dr, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anand Sastry
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gliman Dr, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Bernhard Palsson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gliman Dr, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 220, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jeff Hasty
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gliman Dr, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gliman Dr, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Synthetic Biology Institute, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gliman Dr, La Jolla, CA, USA
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16
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Mason G, Footer MJ, Rojas ER. Mechanosensation induces persistent bacterial growth during bacteriophage predation. mBio 2023; 14:e0276622. [PMID: 37909775 PMCID: PMC10746221 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02766-22] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the relationship between bacteria and lytic bacteriophage is fundamentally antagonistic, these microbes not only coexist but thrive side by side in myriad ecological environments. The mechanisms by which coexistence is achieved, however, are not fully understood. By examining Escherichia coli and bacteriophage T7 population dynamics at the single-cell and single-virion level using a novel microfluidics assay, we observed bacteria growing "persistently" when perfused with high-titer bacteriophage. Bacteriophage persistence occurred at a frequency five orders of magnitude higher than is expected from the natural selection of bacteriophage-resistant mutants. Rather, the frequency of persistence was correlated with the degree to which the bacteria were mechanically compressed by the microfluidic perfusion chamber. Using a combination of mutagenesis and fluorescent imaging techniques, we discovered that compression induces persistence by activating the Rcs phosphorelay pathway, which results in the synthesis of extracellular capsule that sterically blocks bacteriophage adsorption. Other forms of mechanical perturbation also promoted Rcs activity and persistence. These findings have important implications for our understanding of microbial ecology in many important environments, including the gut and the soil, where bacteria grow in confinement. IMPORTANCE Bacteria and bacteriophage form one of the most important predator-prey relationships on earth, yet how the long-term stability of this ecological interaction is achieved is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Escherichia coli can rapidly grow during bacteriophage predation if they are doing so in spatially confined environments. This discovery revises our understanding of bacteria-bacteriophage population dynamics in many real-world environments where bacteria grow in confinement, such as the gut and the soil. Additionally, this result has clear implications for the potential of bacteriophage therapy and the role of mechanosensation during bacterial pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Mason
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Matthew J. Footer
- Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Enrique R. Rojas
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, New York, USA
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17
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Majewska J, Miernikiewicz P, Szymczak A, Kaźmierczak Z, Goszczyński TM, Owczarek B, Rybicka I, Ciekot J, Dąbrowska K. Evolution of the T4 phage virion is driven by selection pressure from non-bacterial factors. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0011523. [PMID: 37724862 PMCID: PMC10580926 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00115-23] [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: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages colonize animal and human bodies, propagating on sensitive bacteria that are symbionts, commensals, or pathogens of animals and humans. T4-like phages are dependent on abundant symbionts such as Escherichia coli, commonly present in animal and human gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. Bacteriophage T4 is one of the most complex viruses, and its intricate structure, particularly the capsid head protecting the phage genome, likely contributes substantially to the overall phage fitness in diverse environments. We investigated how individual head proteins-gp24, Hoc, and Soc-affect T4 phage survival under pressure from non-bacterial factors. We constructed a panel of T4 phage variants defective in these structural proteins: T4∆Soc, T4∆24byp24, T4∆Hoc∆Soc, T4∆Hoc∆24byp24, T4∆Soc∆24byp24, and T4∆Hoc∆Soc∆24byp24 (byp = bypass). These variants were investigated for their sensitivity to selected environmental conditions relevant to the microenvironment of the GI tract, including pH, temperature, and digestive enzymes. The simple and "primitive" structure of the phage capsid (∆24byp24) was significantly less stable at low pH and more sensitive to inactivation by digestive enzymes, and the simultaneous lack of gp24 and Soc resulted in a notable decrease in phage activity at 37°C. Gp24 was also found to be highly resistant to thermal and chemical denaturation. Thus, gp24, which was acquired relatively late in evolution, seems to play a key role in T4 withstanding environmental conditions, including those related to the animal/human GI tract, and Soc is a molecular glue that enhances this protective effect. IMPORTANCE Bacteriophages are important components of animal and human microbiota, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, where they dominate the viral community and contribute to shaping microbial balance. However, interactions with bacterial hosts are not the only element of the equation in phage survival-phages inhabiting the GI tract are constantly exposed to increased temperature, pH fluctuations, or digestive enzymes, which raises the question of whether and how the complex structure of phage capsids contributes to their persistence in the specific microenvironment of human/animal bodies. Here we address this phage-centric perspective, identifying the role of individual head proteins in T4 phage survival in GI tract conditions. The selection pressure driving the evolution of T4-like phages could have come from the external environment that affects phage virions with increased temperature and variable pH; it is possible that in the local microenvironment along the GI tract, the phage benefits from stability-protecting proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Majewska
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Paulina Miernikiewicz
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Aleksander Szymczak
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Kaźmierczak
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tomasz M. Goszczyński
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Barbara Owczarek
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Izabela Rybicka
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jarosław Ciekot
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
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18
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Beckman DA, Waters CM. Vibrio cholerae phage ICP3 requires O1 antigen for infection. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0002623. [PMID: 37594274 PMCID: PMC10501212 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00026-23] [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: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In its natural aquatic environment, the bacterial pathogen Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the enteric disease cholera, is in constant competition with bacterial viruses known as phages. Following ICP3 infection, V. cholerae cultures that exhibited phage killing always recovered overnight, and clones isolated from these regrowth populations exhibited complete resistance to subsequent infections. Whole-genome sequencing of these resistant mutants revealed seven distinct mutations in genes encoding for enzymes involved in O1 antigen biosynthesis, demonstrating that the O1 antigen is a previously uncharacterized putative receptor of ICP3. To further elucidate the specificity of the resistance conferred by these mutations, they were challenged with the V. cholerae-specific phages ICP1 and ICP2. All seven O1 antigen mutants demonstrated pan-resistance to ICP1 but not ICP2, which utilizes the OmpU outer membrane protein as a receptor. We show that resistant mutations to ICP1 and ICP3 evolve at a significantly higher frequency than ICP2, but these mutations have a significant fitness tradeoff to V. cholerae and are unable to evolve in the presence of an antimicrobial that mimics host cell defensins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew A. Beckman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Christopher M. Waters
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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19
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Wetzel KS, Illouz M, Abad L, Aull HG, Russell DA, Garlena RA, Cristinziano M, Malmsheimer S, Chalut C, Hatfull GF, Kremer L. Therapeutically useful mycobacteriophages BPs and Muddy require trehalose polyphleates. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:1717-1731. [PMID: 37644325 PMCID: PMC10465359 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01451-6] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacteriophages show promise as therapeutic agents for non-tuberculous mycobacterium infections. However, little is known about phage recognition of Mycobacterium cell surfaces or mechanisms of phage resistance. We show here that trehalose polyphleates (TPPs)-high-molecular-weight, surface-exposed glycolipids found in some mycobacterial species-are required for infection of Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium smegmatis by clinically useful phages BPs and Muddy. TPP loss leads to defects in adsorption and infection and confers resistance. Transposon mutagenesis shows that TPP disruption is the primary mechanism for phage resistance. Spontaneous phage resistance occurs through TPP loss by mutation, and some M. abscessus clinical isolates are naturally phage-insensitive due to TPP synthesis gene mutations. Both BPs and Muddy become TPP-independent through single amino acid substitutions in their tail spike proteins, and M. abscessus mutants resistant to TPP-independent phages reveal additional resistance mechanisms. Clinical use of BPs and Muddy TPP-independent mutants should preempt phage resistance caused by TPP loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S Wetzel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Morgane Illouz
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Lawrence Abad
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Haley G Aull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daniel A Russell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca A Garlena
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Madison Cristinziano
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Silke Malmsheimer
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Christian Chalut
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Graham F Hatfull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Laurent Kremer
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
- INSERM, IRIM, Montpellier, France.
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20
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Brooks R, Morici L, Sandoval N. Cell Free Bacteriophage Synthesis from Engineered Strains Improves Yield. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:2418-2431. [PMID: 37548960 PMCID: PMC10443043 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Phage therapy to treat life-threatening drug-resistant infections has been hampered by technical challenges in phage production. Cell-free bacteriophage synthesis (CFBS) can overcome the limitations of standard phage production methods by manufacturing phage virions in vitro. CFBS mimics intracellular phage assembly using transcription/translation machinery (TXTL) harvested from bacterial lysates and combined with reagents to synthesize proteins encoded by a phage genomic DNA template. These systems may enable rapid phage production and engineering to accelerate phages from bench-to-bedside. TXTL harvested from wild type or commonly used bacterial strains was not optimized for bacteriophage production. Here, we demonstrate that TXTL from genetically modified E. coli BL21 can be used to enhance phage T7 yields in vitro by CFBS. Expression of 18 E. coli BL21 genes was manipulated by inducible CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) mediated by nuclease deficient Cas12a from F. novicida (dFnCas12a) to identify genes implicated in T7 propagation as positive or negative effectors. Genes shown to have a significant effect were overexpressed (positive effectors) or repressed (negative effectors) to modify the genetic background of TXTL harvested for CFBS. Phage T7 CFBS yields were improved by up to 10-fold in vitro through overexpression of translation initiation factor IF-3 (infC) and small RNAs OxyS and CyaR and by repression of RecC subunit exonuclease RecBCD. Continued improvement of CFBS will mitigate phage manufacturing bottlenecks and lower hurdles to widespread adoption of phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rani Brooks
- Interdisciplinary
Bioinnovation PhD Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118-5665, United
States
| | - Lisa Morici
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University
School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Nicholas Sandoval
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
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21
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Beckman DA, Waters CM. Vibrio cholerae phage ICP3 requires O1 antigen for infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.31.526503. [PMID: 36778411 PMCID: PMC9915646 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.31.526503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In its natural aquatic environment, the bacterial pathogen Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the enteric disease cholera, is in constant competition with bacterial viruses known as phages. Following ICP3 infection, V. cholerae cultures that exhibited phage killing always recovered overnight, and clones isolated from these regrowth populations exhibited complete resistance to subsequent infections. Whole genome sequencing of these resistant mutants revealed seven distinct mutations in genes encoding for enzymes involved in O1 antigen biosynthesis, demonstrating that the O1 antigen is a previously uncharacterized putative receptor of ICP3. To further elucidate the specificity of the resistance conferred by these mutations, they were challenged with the V. cholerae-specific phages ICP1 and ICP2. All seven O1 antigen mutants demonstrated pan-resistance to ICP1 but not ICP2, which utilizes the OmpU outer membrane protein as a receptor. We show that resistant mutations to ICP1 and ICP3 evolve at a significantly higher frequency than ICP2, but these mutations have a significant fitness tradeoff to V. cholerae and are unable to evolve in the presence of an antimicrobial that mimics host cell defensins.
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22
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Wetzel KS, Illouz M, Abad L, Aull HG, Russell DA, Garlena RA, Cristinziano M, Malmsheimer S, Chalut C, Hatfull GF, Kremer L. Mycobacterium trehalose polyphleates are required for infection by therapeutically useful mycobacteriophages BPs and Muddy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.14.532567. [PMID: 36993724 PMCID: PMC10055034 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.14.532567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacteriophages are good model systems for understanding their bacterial hosts and show promise as therapeutic agents for nontuberculous mycobacterium infections. However, little is known about phage recognition of Mycobacterium cell surfaces, or mechanisms of phage resistance. We show here that surface-exposed trehalose polyphleates (TPPs) are required for infection of Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium smegmatis by clinically useful phages BPs and Muddy, and that TPP loss leads to defects in adsorption, infection, and confers resistance. Transposon mutagenesis indicates that TPP loss is the primary mechanism for phage resistance. Spontaneous phage resistance occurs through TPP loss, and some M. abscessus clinical isolates are phage-insensitive due to TPP absence. Both BPs and Muddy become TPP-independent through single amino acid substitutions in their tail spike proteins, and M. abscessus mutants resistant to TPP-independent phages reveal additional resistance mechanisms. Clinical use of BPs and Muddy TPP-independent mutants should preempt phage resistance caused by TPP loss.
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23
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Hao N, Donnelly AJ, Dodd IB, Shearwin KE. When push comes to shove - RNA polymerase and DNA-bound protein roadblocks. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:355-366. [PMID: 37396453 PMCID: PMC10310618 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01064-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, transcriptional roadblocking has emerged as a crucial regulatory mechanism in gene expression, whereby other DNA-bound obstacles can block the progression of transcribing RNA polymerase (RNAP), leading to RNAP pausing and ultimately dissociation from the DNA template. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which transcriptional roadblocks can impede RNAP progression, as well as how RNAP can overcome these obstacles to continue transcription. We examine different DNA-binding proteins involved in transcriptional roadblocking and their biophysical properties that determine their effectiveness in blocking RNAP progression. The catalytically dead CRISPR-Cas (dCas) protein is used as an example of an engineered programmable roadblock, and the current literature in understanding the polarity of dCas roadblocking is also discussed. Finally, we delve into a stochastic model of transcriptional roadblocking and highlight the importance of transcription factor binding kinetics and its resistance to dislodgement by an elongating RNAP in determining the strength of a roadblock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Hao
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia
| | - Alana J. Donnelly
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia
| | - Ian B. Dodd
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia
| | - Keith E. Shearwin
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia
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24
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Jia HJ, Jia PP, Yin S, Bu LK, Yang G, Pei DS. Engineering bacteriophages for enhanced host range and efficacy: insights from bacteriophage-bacteria interactions. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1172635. [PMID: 37323893 PMCID: PMC10264812 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1172635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages, the most abundant organisms on earth, have the potential to address the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria resulting from the overuse of antibiotics. However, their high specificity and limited host range can hinder their effectiveness. Phage engineering, through the use of gene editing techniques, offers a means to enhance the host range of bacteria, improve phage efficacy, and facilitate efficient cell-free production of phage drugs. To engineer phages effectively, it is necessary to understand the interaction between phages and host bacteria. Understanding the interaction between the receptor recognition protein of bacteriophages and host receptors can serve as a valuable guide for modifying or replacing these proteins, thereby altering the receptor range of the bacteriophage. Research and development focused on the CRISPR-Cas bacterial immune system against bacteriophage nucleic acids can provide the necessary tools to promote recombination and counter-selection in engineered bacteriophage programs. Additionally, studying the transcription and assembly functions of bacteriophages in host bacteria can facilitate the engineered assembly of bacteriophage genomes in non-host environments. This review highlights a comprehensive summary of phage engineering methods, including in-host and out-of-host engineering, and the use of high-throughput methods to understand their role. The main aim of these techniques is to harness the intricate interactions between bacteriophages and hosts to inform and guide the engineering of bacteriophages, particularly in the context of studying and manipulating the host range of bacteriophages. By employing advanced high-throughput methods to identify specific bacteriophage receptor recognition genes, and subsequently introducing modifications or performing gene swapping through in-host recombination or out-of-host synthesis, it becomes possible to strategically alter the host range of bacteriophages. This capability holds immense significance for leveraging bacteriophages as a promising therapeutic approach against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huang-Jie Jia
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - Pan-Pan Jia
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Supei Yin
- Urinary Nephropathy Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling-Kang Bu
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Guan Yang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - De-Sheng Pei
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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25
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Junkermeier EH, Hengge R. Local signaling enhances output specificity of bacterial c-di-GMP signaling networks. MICROLIFE 2023; 4:uqad026. [PMID: 37251514 PMCID: PMC10211494 DOI: 10.1093/femsml/uqad026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
For many years the surprising multiplicity, signal input diversity, and output specificity of c-di-GMP signaling proteins has intrigued researchers studying bacterial second messengers. How can several signaling pathways act in parallel to produce specific outputs despite relying on the same diffusible second messenger maintained at a certain global cellular concentration? Such high specificity and flexibility arise from combining modes of local and global c-di-GMP signaling in complex signaling networks. Local c-di-GMP signaling can be experimentally shown by three criteria being met: (i) highly specific knockout phenotypes for particular c-di-GMP-related enzymes, (ii) actual cellular c-di-GMP levels that remain unchanged by such mutations and/or below the Kd's of the relevant c-di-GMP-binding effectors, and (iii) direct interactions between the signaling proteins involved. Here, we discuss the rationale behind these criteria and present well-studied examples of local c-di-GMP signaling in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas. Relatively simple systems just colocalize a local source and/or a local sink for c-di-GMP, i.e. a diguanylate cyclase (DGC) and/or a specific phosphodiesterase (PDE), respectively, with a c-di-GMP-binding effector/target system. More complex systems also make use of regulatory protein interactions, e.g. when a "trigger PDE" responds to locally provided c-di-GMP, and thereby serves as a c-di-GMP-sensing effector that directly controls a target's activity, or when a c-di-GMP-binding effector recruits and directly activates its own "private" DGC. Finally, we provide an outlook into how cells can combine local and global signaling modes of c-di-GMP and possibly integrate those into other signaling nucleotides networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike H Junkermeier
- Institut für Biologie/Mikrobiologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13 – Haus 22, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Regine Hengge
- Corresponding author. Institut für Biologie/Mikrobiologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13 – Haus 22, 10115 Berlin, Germany. Tel: +49-30-2093-49686; Fax: +49-30-2093-49682; E-mail:
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26
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Trofimova E, Asgharzadeh Kangachar S, Weynberg KD, Willows RD, Jaschke PR. A bacterial genome assembly and annotation laboratory using a virtual machine. BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION : A BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 51:276-285. [PMID: 36866633 PMCID: PMC10947226 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
With the global increase of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, there is an urgent need for new methods of tackling the issue. Genomic analysis of bacterial strains can help to understand their virulence and antibiotic resistance profile. Bioinformatic skills are in great demand across the biological sciences. We designed a workshop that allows university students to learn the process of genome assembly using command-line tools within a virtual machine on a Linux operating system. We use Illumina and Nanopore short and long-read raw sequences to reveal the advantages and disadvantages of short, long, and hybrid assembly methods. The workshop teaches how to assess read and assembly quality, perform genome annotation, and analyze pathogenicity, antibiotic and phage resistance. The workshop is intended for a five-week teaching period and is concluded by a student poster presentation assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellina Trofimova
- School of Natural SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic BiologyMacquarie UniversitySydneyAustralia
| | - Shahla Asgharzadeh Kangachar
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Karen D. Weynberg
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Robert D. Willows
- School of Natural SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Paul R. Jaschke
- School of Natural SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic BiologyMacquarie UniversitySydneyAustralia
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27
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Yuan X, Huang Z, Zhu Z, Zhang J, Wu Q, Xue L, Wang J, Ding Y. Recent advances in phage defense systems and potential overcoming strategies. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 65:108152. [PMID: 37037289 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages are effective in the prevention and control of bacteria, and many phage products have been permitted and applied in the field. Because bacteriophages are expected to replace other antimicrobial agents like antibiotics, the antibacterial effect of bacteriophage has attracted widespread attention. Recently, the diversified defense systems discovered in the target host have become potential threats to the continued effective application of phages. Therefore, a systematic summary and in-depth illustration of the interaction between phages and bacteria is conducive to the development of this biological control approach. In this review, we introduce different defense systems in bacteria against phages and emphasize newly discovered defense mechanisms in recent years. Additionally, we draw attention to the striking resemblance between defense system genes and antibiotic resistance genes, which raises concerns about the potential transfer of phage defense systems within bacterial populations and its future impact on phage efficacy. Thus, attention should be given to the effects of phage defense genes in practical applications. This article is not exhaustive, but strategies to overcome phage defense systems are also discussed to further promote more efficient use of phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; Department of Food Science & Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zhichao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; Department of Food Science & Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zhenjun Zhu
- Department of Food Science & Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jumei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Qingping Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Liang Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Juan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510432, China.
| | - Yu Ding
- Department of Food Science & Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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28
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Beamud B, García-González N, Gómez-Ortega M, González-Candelas F, Domingo-Calap P, Sanjuan R. Genetic determinants of host tropism in Klebsiella phages. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112048. [PMID: 36753420 PMCID: PMC9989827 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages play key roles in bacterial ecology and evolution and are potential antimicrobials. However, the determinants of phage-host specificity remain elusive. Here, we isolate 46 phages to challenge 138 representative clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, a widespread opportunistic pathogen. Spot tests show a narrow host range for most phages, with <2% of 6,319 phage-host combinations tested yielding detectable interactions. Bacterial capsule diversity is the main factor restricting phage host range. Consequently, phage-encoded depolymerases are key determinants of host tropism, and depolymerase sequence types are associated with the ability to infect specific capsular types across phage families. However, all phages with a broader host range found do not encode canonical depolymerases, suggesting alternative modes of entry. These findings expand our knowledge of the complex interactions between bacteria and their viruses and point out the feasibility of predicting the first steps of phage infection using bacterial and phage genome sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Beamud
- Joint Research Unit Infection and Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat de València, 46020 València, Spain; Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I(2)SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - Neris García-González
- Joint Research Unit Infection and Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat de València, 46020 València, Spain; Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I(2)SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - Mar Gómez-Ortega
- Joint Research Unit Infection and Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat de València, 46020 València, Spain
| | - Fernando González-Candelas
- Joint Research Unit Infection and Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat de València, 46020 València, Spain; Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I(2)SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Spain.
| | - Pilar Domingo-Calap
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I(2)SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Spain.
| | - Rafael Sanjuan
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I(2)SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Spain.
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29
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Adler BA, Chamakura K, Carion H, Krog J, Deutschbauer AM, Young R, Mutalik VK, Arkin AP. Multicopy suppressor screens reveal convergent evolution of single-gene lysis proteins. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:759-766. [PMID: 36805702 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01269-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Single-strand RNA (ssRNA) Fiersviridae phages cause host lysis with a product of single gene (sgl for single-gene lysis; product Sgl) that induces autolysis. Many different Sgls have been discovered, but the molecular targets of only a few have been identified. In this study, we used a high-throughput genetic screen to uncover genome-wide host suppressors of diverse Sgls. In addition to validating known molecular mechanisms, we discovered that the Sgl of PP7, an ssRNA phage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, targets MurJ, the flippase responsible for lipid II export, previously shown to be the target of the Sgl of coliphage M. These two Sgls, which are unrelated and predicted to have opposite membrane topology, thus represent a case of convergent evolution. We extended the genetic screens to other uncharacterized Sgls and uncovered a common set of multicopy suppressors, suggesting that these Sgls act by the same or similar mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A Adler
- The UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Karthik Chamakura
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Phage Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.,Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Marina Del Rey, CA, USA
| | - Heloise Carion
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Krog
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Adam M Deutschbauer
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ry Young
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Phage Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Vivek K Mutalik
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA. .,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Adam P Arkin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA. .,Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA. .,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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30
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Wang M, Zhu H, Wei J, Jiang L, Jiang L, Liu Z, Li R, Wang Z. Uncovering the determinants of model Escherichia coli strain C600 susceptibility and resistance to lytic T4-like and T7-like phage. Virus Res 2023; 325:199048. [PMID: 36681192 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
As antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to increase, the therapeutic use of phages has re-emerged as an attractive alternative. However, knowledge of phage resistance development and bacterium-phage interaction complexity are still not fully interpreted. In this study, two lytic T4-like and T7-like phage infecting model Escherichia coli strain C600 are selected, and host genetic determinants involved in phage susceptibility and resistance are also identified using TraDIS strategy. Isolation and identification of the lytic T7-like show that though it belongs to the phage T7 family, genes encoding replication and transcription protein exhibit high differences. The TraDIS results identify a huge number of previously unidentified genes involved in phage infection, and a subset (six in susceptibility and nine in resistance) are shared under pressure of the two kinds of lytic phage. Susceptible gene wbbL has the highest value and implies the important role in phage susceptibility. Importantly, two susceptible genes QseE (QseE/QseF) and RstB (RstB/RstA), encoding the similar two-component system sensor histidine kinase (HKs), also identified. Conversely and strangely, outer membrane protein gene ompW, unlike the gene ompC encoding receptor protein of T4 phage, was shown to provide phage resistance. Overall, this study exploited a genome-wide fitness assay to uncover susceptibility and resistant genes, even the shared genes, important for the E. coli strain of both most popular high lytic T4-like and T7-like phages. This knowledge of the genetic determinants can be further used to analysis the behind function signatures to screen the potential agents to aid phage killing of MDR pathogens, which will greatly be valuable in improving the phage therapy outcome in fighting with microbial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mianzhi Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China; Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD), Yangzhou 225009, China.
| | - Heng Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China; Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD), Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jingyi Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China; Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD), Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Li Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China; Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD), Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China; Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD), Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Ziyi Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China; Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD), Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Ruichao Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China; Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD), Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China; Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD), Yangzhou 225009, China; International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China.
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31
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Huss P, Chen J, Raman S. High-throughput approaches to understand and engineer bacteriophages. Trends Biochem Sci 2023; 48:187-197. [PMID: 36180320 PMCID: PMC9868059 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophage research has been vital to fundamental aspects of modern biology. Advances in metagenomics have revealed treasure troves of new and uncharacterized bacteriophages ('phages') that are not yet understood. However, our ability to find new phages has outpaced our understanding of how sequence encodes function in phages. Traditional approaches for characterizing phages are limited in scale and face hurdles in determining how changes in sequence drive function. We describe powerful emerging technologies that can be used to clarify sequence-function relationships in phages through high-throughput genome engineering. Using these approaches, up to 105 variants can be characterized through pooled selection experiments and deep sequencing. We describe caveats when using these tools and provide examples of basic science and engineering goals that are pursuable using these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phil Huss
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jackie Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Srivatsan Raman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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32
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Strathdee SA, Hatfull GF, Mutalik VK, Schooley RT. Phage therapy: From biological mechanisms to future directions. Cell 2023; 186:17-31. [PMID: 36608652 PMCID: PMC9827498 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 135.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Increasing antimicrobial resistance rates have revitalized bacteriophage (phage) research, the natural predators of bacteria discovered over 100 years ago. In order to use phages therapeutically, they should (1) preferably be lytic, (2) kill the bacterial host efficiently, and (3) be fully characterized to exclude side effects. Developing therapeutic phages takes a coordinated effort of multiple stakeholders. Herein, we review the state of the art in phage therapy, covering biological mechanisms, clinical applications, remaining challenges, and future directions involving naturally occurring and genetically modified or synthetic phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffanie A Strathdee
- Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics, Division of Infectious Disease and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0507, USA.
| | - Graham F Hatfull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Vivek K Mutalik
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Robert T Schooley
- Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics, Division of Infectious Disease and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0507, USA
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33
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McMullen JG, Lennon JT. Mark-recapture of microorganisms. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:150-157. [PMID: 36310117 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jay T Lennon
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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34
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Shaidullina A, Harms A. Toothpicks, logic, and next-generation sequencing: systematic investigation of bacteriophage-host interactions. Curr Opin Microbiol 2022; 70:102225. [PMID: 36327691 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages are abundant and diverse predators that drive community dynamics in many ecosystems and hold great potential for biotechnology and as therapeutics for bacterial infections. Previous research has largely explored phage-host interactions one-by-one, which limited our ability to observe phenotypic patterns, to uncover their genetic basis, and to unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms. However, the famous 'toothpicks and logic' were recently joined by large-scale sequencing of phage genomes and bacterial genome-wide screens that enable us to systematically investigate phage-host interactions. In this article, we highlight recent breakthroughs from the molecular basis of phage host range and receptor recognition over new insights into bacterial immunity to the serendipitous discovery of a new bacterial surface glycan. Future work will enable the understanding, prediction, and engineering of more complicated phage traits for new applications and extend the scope of these studies from simple test tube experiments to natural communities of phages and hosts.
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35
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Cunliffe T, Parker AL, Jaramillo A. Pseudotyping Bacteriophage P2 Tail Fibers to Extend the Host Range for Biomedical Applications. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3207-3215. [PMID: 36084285 PMCID: PMC9594776 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) represent powerful potential treatments against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria represent a significant threat to global health, with an estimated 70% of infection-causing bacteria being resistant to one or more antibiotics. Developing novel antibiotics against the limited number of cellular targets is expensive and time-consuming, and bacteria can rapidly develop resistance. While bacterial resistance to phage can evolve, bacterial resistance to phage does not appear to spread through lateral gene transfer, and phage may similarly adapt through mutation to recover infectivity. Phages have been identified for all known bacteria, allowing the strain-selective killing of pathogenic bacteria. Here, we re-engineered the Escherichia coli phage P2 to alter its tropism toward pathogenic bacteria. Chimeric tail fibers formed between P2 and S16 genes were designed and generated through two approaches: homology- and literature-based. By presenting chimeric P2:S16 fibers on the P2 particle, our data suggests that the resultant phages were effectively detargeted from the native P2 cellular target, lipopolysaccharide, and were instead able to infect via the proteinaceous receptor, OmpC, the natural S16 receptor. Our work provides evidence that pseudotyping P2 is feasible and can be used to extend the host range of P2 to alternative receptors. Extension of this work could produce alternative chimeric tail fibers to target pathogenic bacterial threats. Our engineering of P2 allows adsorption through a heterologous outer-membrane protein without culturing in its native host, thus providing a potential means of engineering designer phages against pathogenic bacteria from knowledge of their surface proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabitha
G. Cunliffe
- Division
of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14
4XN, U.K.,School
of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Alan L. Parker
- Division
of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14
4XN, U.K.,Systems
Immunity University Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14
4XN, U.K.,. Phone: +44 2922 510 231
| | - Alfonso Jaramillo
- School
of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.,De
Novo Synthetic Biology Laboratory, I2SysBio, CSIC-University of Valencia, Parc Científic Universitat de València, Calle Catedrático Agustín
Escardino, 9, 46980 Paterna, Spain,. Phone: +34 963 543 056
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36
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Zou X, Xiao X, Mo Z, Ge Y, Jiang X, Huang R, Li M, Deng Z, Chen S, Wang L, Lee SY. Systematic strategies for developing phage resistant Escherichia coli strains. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4491. [PMID: 35918338 PMCID: PMC9345386 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31934-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Phages are regarded as powerful antagonists of bacteria, especially in industrial fermentation processes involving bacteria. While bacteria have developed various defense mechanisms, most of which are effective against a narrow range of phages and consequently exert limited protection from phage infection. Here, we report a strategy for developing phage-resistant Escherichia coli strains through the simultaneous genomic integration of a DNA phosphorothioation-based Ssp defense module and mutations of components essential for the phage life cycle. The engineered E. coli strains show strong resistance against diverse phages tested without affecting cell growth. Additionally, the resultant engineered phage-resistant strains maintain the capabilities of producing example recombinant proteins, D-amino acid oxidase and coronavirus-encoded nonstructural protein nsp8, even under high levels of phage cocktail challenge. The strategy reported here will be useful for developing engineered E. coli strains with improved phage resistance for various industrial fermentation processes for producing recombinant proteins and chemicals of interest. Phage contamination is a persistent problem in industrial biotechnology processes employing bacterial strains. Here, the authors report the construction of E. coli host strains with broad antiphase activities via the genomic integration of the Ssp defense system and mutations of components essential for phage infection cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Xiaohong Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Ziran Mo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.,Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, China
| | - Yashi Ge
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Xing Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.,Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, China
| | - Ruolin Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.,Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, China
| | - Mengxue Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Zixin Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Shi Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China. .,Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, China.
| | - Lianrong Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
| | - Sang Yup Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 Four Program), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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37
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Koskella B, Hernandez CA, Wheatley RM. Understanding the Impacts of Bacteriophage Viruses: From Laboratory Evolution to Natural Ecosystems. Annu Rev Virol 2022; 9:57-78. [PMID: 35584889 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-091919-075914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Viruses of bacteriophages (phages) have broad effects on bacterial ecology and evolution in nature that mediate microbial interactions, shape bacterial diversity, and influence nutrient cycling and ecosystem function. The unrelenting impact of phages within the microbial realm is the result, in large part, of their ability to rapidly evolve in response to bacterial host dynamics. The knowledge gained from laboratory systems, typically using pairwise interactions between single-host and single-phage systems, has made clear that phages coevolve with their bacterial hosts rapidly, somewhat predictably, and primarily by counteradapting to host resistance. Recent advancement in metagenomics approaches, as well as a shifting focus toward natural microbial communities and host-associated microbiomes, is beginning to uncover the full picture of phage evolution and ecology within more complex settings. As these data reach their full potential, it will be critical to ask when and how insights gained from studies of phage evolution in vitro can be meaningfully applied to understanding bacteria-phage interactions in nature. In this review, we explore the myriad ways that phages shape and are themselves shaped by bacterial host populations and communities, with a particular focus on observed and predicted differences between the laboratory and complex microbial communities. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Virology, Volume 9 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britt Koskella
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA;
| | - Catherine A Hernandez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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38
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Römling U. The power of unbiased phenotypic screens - cellulose as a first receptor for the Schitoviridae phage S6 of Erwinia amylovora. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:3316-3321. [PMID: 35415924 PMCID: PMC9544554 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophages, host‐dependent replicative non‐cellular entities which significantly shape the microbial genomes and consequently physiological and ecological properties of the microbial populations are exploited to restrict plant, animal and human pathogens. Unravelling of phage characteristics aids the understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms of phage infections which can subsequently lead to the development of rationalized strategies to combat microbial pathogens. In an unbiased screen to investigate the molecular basis of infectivity of the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora by the lytic Schitoviridae phage S6, the biofilm extracellular matrix component cellulose has been identified as a cyclic di‐GMP dependent first receptor required for infection with the phage to possess beta‐1,4‐glucosidases to degrade the exopolysaccharide. This absolute receptor dependency allows maintenance of a phage‐microbe equilibrium with a low bacterial density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Römling
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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39
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Yuan L, Fan L, Zhao H, Mgomi FC, Ni H, He G. RNA-seq reveals the phage-resistant mechanisms displayed by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZJU-1 isolated from Chinese traditional sourdough. Int Dairy J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2021.105286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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40
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A Phage Foundry Framework to Systematically Develop Viral Countermeasures to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Pathogens. iScience 2022; 25:104121. [PMID: 35402883 PMCID: PMC8983348 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
At its current rate, the rise of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections is predicted to paralyze our industries and healthcare facilities while becoming the leading global cause of loss of human life. With limited new antibiotics on the horizon, we need to invest in alternative solutions. Bacteriophages (phages)—viruses targeting bacteria—offer a powerful alternative approach to tackle bacterial infections. Despite recent advances in using phages to treat recalcitrant AMR infections, the field lacks systematic development of phage therapies scalable to different applications. We propose a Phage Foundry framework to establish metrics for phage characterization and to fill the knowledge and technological gaps in phage therapeutics. Coordinated investment in AMR surveillance, sampling, characterization, and data sharing procedures will enable rational exploitation of phages for treatments. A fully realized Phage Foundry will enhance the sharing of knowledge, technology, and viral reagents in an equitable manner and will accelerate the biobased economy.
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41
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Liao YT, Zhang Y, Salvador A, Harden LA, Wu VCH. Characterization of a T4-like Bacteriophage vB_EcoM-Sa45lw as a Potential Biocontrol Agent for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O45 Contaminated on Mung Bean Seeds. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0222021. [PMID: 35107386 PMCID: PMC8809338 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02220-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Application of lytic bacteriophages is a promising and alternative intervention technology to relieve antibiotic resistance pressure and control bacterial pathogens in the food industry. Despite the increase of produce-associated outbreaks caused by non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serogroups, the information of phage application on sprouts to mitigate these pathogens is lacking. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize a T4-like Escherichia phage vB_EcoM-Sa45lw (or Sa45lw) for the biocontrol potential of STEC O45 on mung bean seeds. Phage Sa45lw belongs to the Tequatrovirus genus under the Myoviridae family and displays a close evolutionary relationship with a STEC O157-infecting phage AR1. Sa45lw contains a long-tail fiber gene (gp37), sharing high genetic similarity with the counterpart of Escherichia phage KIT03, and a unique tail lysozyme (gp5) to distinguish its host range (STEC O157, O45, ATCC 13706, and Salmonella Montevideo and Thompson) from phage KIT03 (O157 and Salmonella enterica). No stx, antibiotic resistance, and lysogenic genes were found in the Sa45lw genome. The phage has a latent period of 27 min with an estimated burst size of 80 PFU/CFU and is stable at a wide range of pH (pH 3 to pH 10.5) and temperatures (-80°C to 50°C). Phage Sa45lw is particularly effective in reducing E. coli O45:H16 both in vitro (MOI = 10) by 5 log and upon application (MOI = 1,000) on the contaminated mung bean seeds for 15 min by 2 log at 25°C. These findings highlight the potential of phage application against non-O157 STEC on sprout seeds. IMPORTANCE Seeds contaminated with foodborne pathogens, such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, are the primary sources of contamination in produce and have contributed to numerous foodborne outbreaks. Antibiotic resistance has been a long-lasting issue that poses a threat to human health and the food industry. Therefore, developing novel antimicrobial interventions, such as bacteriophage application, is pivotal to combat these pathogens. This study characterized a lytic bacteriophage Sa45lw as an alternative antimicrobial agent to control pathogenic E. coli on the contaminated mung bean seeds. The phage exhibited antimicrobial effects against both pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella without containing virulent or lysogenic genes that could compromise the safety of phage application. In addition, after 15 min of phage treatment, Sa45lw mitigated E. coli O45:H16 on the contaminated mung bean seeds by a 2-log reduction at room temperature, demonstrating the biocontrol potential of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli on sprout seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Te Liao
- Produce Safety and Microbiology Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, Albany, California, United States
| | - Yujie Zhang
- Produce Safety and Microbiology Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, Albany, California, United States
| | - Alexandra Salvador
- Produce Safety and Microbiology Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, Albany, California, United States
| | - Leslie A. Harden
- Produce Safety and Microbiology Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, Albany, California, United States
| | - Vivian C. H. Wu
- Produce Safety and Microbiology Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, Albany, California, United States
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42
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Mitigation of evolved bacterial resistance to phage therapy. Curr Opin Virol 2022; 53:101201. [PMID: 35180532 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2022.101201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The ease with which bacteria can evolve resistance to phages is a key consideration for development of phage therapy. Here, we review recent work on the different evolutionary and ecological approaches to mitigate the problem. The approaches are broadly categorised into two areas: Minimising evolved phage resistance; and Directing phage-resistance evolution towards therapeutically beneficial outcomes.
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43
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Bock C, Datlinger P, Chardon F, Coelho MA, Dong MB, Lawson KA, Lu T, Maroc L, Norman TM, Song B, Stanley G, Chen S, Garnett M, Li W, Moffat J, Qi LS, Shapiro RS, Shendure J, Weissman JS, Zhuang X. High-content CRISPR screening. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:9. [PMID: 37214176 PMCID: PMC10200264 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00098-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR screens are a powerful source of biological discovery, enabling the unbiased interrogation of gene function in a wide range of applications and species. In pooled CRISPR screens, various genetically encoded perturbations are introduced into pools of cells. The targeted cells proliferate under a biological challenge such as cell competition, drug treatment or viral infection. Subsequently, the perturbation-induced effects are evaluated by sequencing-based counting of the guide RNAs that specify each perturbation. The typical results of such screens are ranked lists of genes that confer sensitivity or resistance to the biological challenge of interest. Contributing to the broad utility of CRISPR screens, adaptations of the core CRISPR technology make it possible to activate, silence or otherwise manipulate the target genes. Moreover, high-content read-outs such as single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial imaging help characterize screened cells with unprecedented detail. Dedicated software tools facilitate bioinformatic analysis and enhance reproducibility. CRISPR screening has unravelled various molecular mechanisms in basic biology, medical genetics, cancer research, immunology, infectious diseases, microbiology and other fields. This Primer describes the basic and advanced concepts of CRISPR screening and its application as a flexible and reliable method for biological discovery, biomedical research and drug development - with a special emphasis on high-content methods that make it possible to obtain detailed biological insights directly as part of the screen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Bock
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics, and Intelligent Systems, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul Datlinger
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florence Chardon
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Matthew B. Dong
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Keith A. Lawson
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tian Lu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laetitia Maroc
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas M. Norman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Program for Computational and Systems Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bicna Song
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Geoff Stanley
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sidi Chen
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mathew Garnett
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Wei Li
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jason Moffat
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lei S. Qi
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca S. Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jonathan S. Weissman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xiaowei Zhuang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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44
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Fang Q, Feng Y, McNally A, Zong Z. Characterization of phage resistance and phages capable of intestinal decolonization of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in mice. Commun Biol 2022; 5:48. [PMID: 35027665 PMCID: PMC8758719 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03001-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) has emerged as a severe global health challenge. We isolate and characterize two previously unidentified lytic phages, P24 and P39, with large burst sizes active against ST11 KL64, a major CRKP lineage. P24 and P39 represent species of the genera Przondovirus (Studiervirinae subfamily) and Webervirus (Drexlerviridae family), respectively. P24 and P39 together restrain CRKP growth to nearly 8 h. Phage-resistant mutants exhibit reduced capsule production and decreased virulence. Modifications in mshA and wcaJ encoding capsule polysaccharide synthesis mediate P24 resistance whilst mutations in epsJ encoding exopolysaccharide synthesis cause P39 resistance. We test P24 alone and together with P39 for decolonizing CRKP using mouse intestinal colonization models. Bacterial load shed decrease significantly in mice treated with P24 and P39. In conclusion, we report the characterization of two previously unidentified lytic phages against CRKP, revealing phage resistance mechanisms and demonstrating the potential of lytic phages for intestinal decolonization. Fang et al. characterized two previously unidentified phage species that could inhibit growth and decrease virulence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). They also showed that CRKP develop phage resistance but could still be decolonized in a mouse intestinal colonization model, highlighting phage therapy as potential treatment against drug-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Fang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Center for Pathogen Research, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Alan McNally
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Zhiyong Zong
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China. .,Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan, China. .,Center for Pathogen Research, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. .,Department of Infection Control, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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45
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Adler BA, Hessler T, Cress BF, Lahiri A, Mutalik VK, Barrangou R, Banfield J, Doudna JA. Broad-spectrum CRISPR-Cas13a enables efficient phage genome editing. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:1967-1979. [PMID: 36316451 PMCID: PMC9712115 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01258-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas13 proteins are RNA-guided RNA nucleases that defend against incoming RNA and DNA phages by binding to complementary target phage transcripts followed by general, non-specific RNA degradation. Here we analysed the defensive capabilities of LbuCas13a from Leptotrichia buccalis and found it to have robust antiviral activity unaffected by target phage gene essentiality, gene expression timing or target sequence location. Furthermore, we find LbuCas13a antiviral activity to be broadly effective against a wide range of phages by challenging LbuCas13a against nine E. coli phages from diverse phylogenetic groups. Leveraging the versatility and potency enabled by LbuCas13a targeting, we applied LbuCas13a towards broad-spectrum phage editing. Using a two-step phage-editing and enrichment method, we achieved seven markerless genome edits in three diverse phages with 100% efficiency, including edits as large as multi-gene deletions and as small as replacing a single codon. Cas13a can be applied as a generalizable tool for editing the most abundant and diverse biological entities on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A. Adler
- grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Tomas Hessler
- grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.184769.50000 0001 2231 4551Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Brady F. Cress
- grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Arushi Lahiri
- grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Vivek K. Mutalik
- grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.184769.50000 0001 2231 4551Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Rodolphe Barrangou
- grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.40803.3f0000 0001 2173 6074Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Jillian Banfield
- grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.184769.50000 0001 2231 4551Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XUniversity of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jennifer A. Doudna
- grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.184769.50000 0001 2231 4551Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.184769.50000 0001 2231 4551MBIB Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA USA
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46
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A New Sugar for an Old Phage: a c-di-GMP-Dependent Polysaccharide Pathway Sensitizes Escherichia coli for Bacteriophage Infection. mBio 2021; 12:e0324621. [PMID: 34903045 PMCID: PMC8669472 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03246-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are ubiquitous parasites of bacteria and major drivers of bacterial ecology and evolution. Despite an ever-growing interest in their biotechnological and therapeutic applications, detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying phage-host interactions remains scarce. Here, we show that bacteriophage N4 exploits a novel surface glycan (NGR) as a receptor to infect its host Escherichia coli. We demonstrate that this process is regulated by the second messenger c-di-GMP and that N4 infection is specifically stimulated by the diguanylate cyclase DgcJ, while the phosphodiesterase PdeL effectively protects E. coli from N4-mediated killing. PdeL-mediated protection requires its catalytic activity to reduce c-di-GMP and includes a secondary role as a transcriptional repressor. We demonstrate that PdeL binds to and represses the promoter of the wec operon, which encodes components of the enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) exopolysaccharide pathway. However, only the acetylglucosamine epimerase WecB but none of the other ECA components is required for N4 infection. Based on this, we postulate that NGR is an N-acetylmannosamine-based carbohydrate polymer that is produced and exported to the cell surface of E. coli in a c-di-GMP-dependent manner, where it serves as a receptor for N4. This novel carbohydrate pathway is conserved in E. coli and other bacterial pathogens, serves as the primary receptor for various bacteriophages, and is induced at elevated temperature and by specific amino acid-based nutrients. These studies provide an entry point into understanding how bacteria use specific regulatory mechanisms to balance costs and benefits of highly conserved surface structures.
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47
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A Novel Locally c-di-GMP-Controlled Exopolysaccharide Synthase Required for Bacteriophage N4 Infection of Escherichia coli. mBio 2021; 12:e0324921. [PMID: 34903052 PMCID: PMC8669469 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03249-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A major target of c-di-GMP signaling is the production of biofilm-associated extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which in Escherichia coli K-12 include amyloid curli fibers, phosphoethanolamine-modified cellulose, and poly-N-acetylglucosamine. However, the characterized c-di-GMP-binding effector systems are largely outnumbered by the 12 diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and 13 phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which synthetize and degrade c-di-GMP, respectively. E. coli possesses a single protein with a potentially c-di-GMP-binding MshEN domain, NfrB, which-together with the outer membrane protein NfrA-is known to serve as a receptor system for phage N4. Here, we show that NfrB not only binds c-di-GMP with high affinity but, as a novel c-di-GMP-controlled glycosyltransferase, synthesizes a secreted EPS, which can impede motility and is required as an initial receptor for phage N4 infection. In addition, a systematic screening of the 12 DGCs of E. coli K-12 revealed that specifically DgcJ is required for the infection with phage N4 and interacts directly with NfrB. This is in line with local signaling models, where specific DGCs and/or PDEs form protein complexes with particular c-di-GMP effector/target systems. Our findings thus provide further evidence that intracellular signaling pathways, which all use the same diffusible second messenger, can act in parallel in a highly specific manner. IMPORTANCE Key findings in model organisms led to the concept of "local" signaling, challenging the dogma of a gradually increasing global intracellular c-di-GMP concentration driving the motile-sessile transition in bacteria. In our current model, bacteria dynamically combine both global and local signaling modes, in which specific DGCs and/or PDEs team up with effector/target systems in multiprotein complexes. The present study highlights a novel example of how specificity in c-di-GMP signaling can be achieved by showing NfrB as a novel c-di-GMP binding effector in E. coli, which is controlled in a local manner specifically by DgcJ. We further show that NfrB (which was initially found as a part of a receptor system for phage N4) is involved in the production of a novel exopolysaccharide. Finally, our data shine new light on host interaction of phage N4, which uses this exopolysaccharide as an initial receptor for adsorption.
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48
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Lood C, Boeckaerts D, Stock M, De Baets B, Lavigne R, van Noort V, Briers Y. Digital phagograms: predicting phage infectivity through a multilayer machine learning approach. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 52:174-181. [PMID: 34952265 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Machine learning has been broadly implemented to investigate biological systems. In this regard, the field of phage biology has embraced machine learning to elucidate and predict phage-host interactions, based on receptor-binding proteins, (anti-)defense systems, prophage detection, and life cycle recognition. Here, we highlight the enormous potential of integrating information from omics data with insights from systems biology to better understand phage-host interactions. We conceptualize and discuss the potential of a multilayer model that mirrors the phage infection process, integrating adsorption, bacterial pan-immune components and hijacking of the bacterial metabolism to predict phage infectivity. In the future, this model can offer insights into the underlying mechanisms of the infection process, and digital phagograms can support phage cocktail design and phage engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Lood
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dimitri Boeckaerts
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; KERMIT, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michiel Stock
- KERMIT, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; BIOBIX, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bernard De Baets
- KERMIT, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Vera van Noort
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Yves Briers
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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49
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Adler BA, Kazakov AE, Zhong C, Liu H, Kutter E, Lui LM, Nielsen TN, Carion H, Deutschbauer AM, Mutalik VK, Arkin AP. The genetic basis of phage susceptibility, cross-resistance and host-range in Salmonella. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2021; 167. [PMID: 34910616 PMCID: PMC8744999 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Though bacteriophages (phages) are known to play a crucial role in bacterial fitness and virulence, our knowledge about the genetic basis of their interaction, cross-resistance and host-range is sparse. Here, we employed genome-wide screens in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium to discover host determinants involved in resistance to eleven diverse lytic phages including four new phages isolated from a therapeutic phage cocktail. We uncovered 301 diverse host factors essential in phage infection, many of which are shared between multiple phages demonstrating potential cross-resistance mechanisms. We validate many of these novel findings and uncover the intricate interplay between RpoS, the virulence-associated general stress response sigma factor and RpoN, the nitrogen starvation sigma factor in phage cross-resistance. Finally, the infectivity pattern of eleven phages across a panel of 23 genome sequenced Salmonella strains indicates that additional constraints and interactions beyond the host factors uncovered here define the phage host range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A Adler
- The UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Berkeley, California, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Alexey E Kazakov
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Crystal Zhong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Hualan Liu
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | | | - Lauren M Lui
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Torben N Nielsen
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Heloise Carion
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Adam M Deutschbauer
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA.,Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Vivek K Mutalik
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Adam P Arkin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
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50
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Sørensen PE, Baig S, Stegger M, Ingmer H, Garmyn A, Butaye P. Spontaneous Phage Resistance in Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:782757. [PMID: 34966369 PMCID: PMC8711792 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.782757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is one of the most important bacterial pathogens affecting poultry worldwide. The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens has renewed the interest in the therapeutic use of bacteriophages (phages). However, a major concern for the successful implementation of phage therapy is the emergence of phage-resistant mutants. The understanding of the phage-host interactions, as well as underlying mechanisms of resistance, have shown to be essential for the development of a successful phage therapy. Here, we demonstrate that the strictly lytic Escherichia phage vB_EcoM-P10 rapidly selected for resistance in the APEC ST95 O1 strain AM621. Whole-genome sequence analysis of 109 spontaneous phage-resistant mutant strains revealed 41 mutants with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in their core genome. In 32 of these, a single SNP was detected while two SNPs were identified in a total of nine strains. In total, 34 unique SNPs were detected. In 42 strains, including 18 strains with SNP(s), gene losses spanning 17 different genes were detected. Affected by genetic changes were genes known to be involved in phage resistance (outer membrane protein A, lipopolysaccharide-, O- antigen-, or cell wall-related genes) as well as genes not previously linked to phage resistance, including two hypothetical genes. In several strains, we did not detect any genetic changes. Infecting phages were not able to overcome the phage resistance in host strains. However, interestingly the initial infection was shown to have a great fitness cost for several mutant strains, with up to ∼65% decrease in overall growth. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the phage-host interaction and phage resistance in APEC. Although acquired resistance to phages is frequently observed in pathogenic E. coli, it may be associated with loss of fitness, which could be exploited in phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia E. Sørensen
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Sharmin Baig
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marc Stegger
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Ingmer
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - An Garmyn
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Patrick Butaye
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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