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Torres-Quintero MC, Santamaría RI, Martínez-Flores I, Bustos P, Girard L, Cevallos MÁ, Rodríguez-Sánchez C, González V. Role of core lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic genes in the infection and adsorption of broad-host-range bacteriophages of Rhizobium etli. Microbiol Res 2024; 285:127766. [PMID: 38788349 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127766] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we examined the role of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core of Rhizobium etli in facilitating the adsorption and infection of phages with broad host range. When the plasmid-encoded LPS biosynthesis genes, wreU and wreV, were disrupted, distinct and contrasting effects on phage infection were observed. The wreU mutant strains exhibited wild-type adsorption and infection properties, whereas the wreV mutant demonstrated resistance to phage infection, but retained the capacity to adsorb phages. Complementation of the wreV mutant strains with a recombinant plasmid containing the wreU and wreV, restored the susceptibility to the phages. However, the presence of this recombinant plasmid in a strain devoid of the native lps-encoding plasmid was insufficient to restore phage susceptibility. These results suggest that the absence of wreV impedes the proper assembly of the complete LPS core, potentially affecting the formation of UDP-KdgNAg or KDO precursors for the O-antigen. In addition, a protein not yet identified, but residing in the native lps-encoding plasmid, may be necessary for complete phage infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Carmen Torres-Quintero
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, UNAM, Av. Universidad s/n, Col. Chamilpa C.P. 62212, Cuernavaca, Mor, Apdo 565-A, Mexico
| | - Rosa Isela Santamaría
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, UNAM, Av. Universidad s/n, Col. Chamilpa C.P. 62212, Cuernavaca, Mor, Apdo 565-A, Mexico
| | - Irma Martínez-Flores
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, UNAM, Av. Universidad s/n, Col. Chamilpa C.P. 62212, Cuernavaca, Mor, Apdo 565-A, Mexico
| | - Patricia Bustos
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, UNAM, Av. Universidad s/n, Col. Chamilpa C.P. 62212, Cuernavaca, Mor, Apdo 565-A, Mexico
| | - Lourdes Girard
- Programa de Microbiología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, UNAM, Av. Universidad s/n, Col. Chamilpa C.P. 62212, Cuernavaca, Mor, Apdo 565-A, Mexico
| | - Miguel Ángel Cevallos
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, UNAM, Av. Universidad s/n, Col. Chamilpa C.P. 62212, Cuernavaca, Mor, Apdo 565-A, Mexico
| | - César Rodríguez-Sánchez
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, UNAM, Av. Universidad s/n, Col. Chamilpa C.P. 62212, Cuernavaca, Mor, Apdo 565-A, Mexico
| | - Víctor González
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, UNAM, Av. Universidad s/n, Col. Chamilpa C.P. 62212, Cuernavaca, Mor, Apdo 565-A, Mexico.
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Nguyen HM, Watanabe S, Sharmin S, Kawaguchi T, Tan XE, Wannigama DL, Cui L. RNA and Single-Stranded DNA Phages: Unveiling the Promise from the Underexplored World of Viruses. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17029. [PMID: 38069353 PMCID: PMC10707117 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) phages make up an understudied subset of bacteriophages that have been rapidly expanding in the last decade thanks to advancements in metaviromics. Since their discovery, applications of genetic engineering to ssDNA and RNA phages have revealed their immense potential for diverse applications in healthcare and biotechnology. In this review, we explore the past and present applications of this underexplored group of phages, particularly their current usage as therapeutic agents against multidrug-resistant bacteria. We also discuss engineering techniques such as recombinant expression, CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing, and synthetic rebooting of phage-like particles for their role in tailoring phages for disease treatment, imaging, biomaterial development, and delivery systems. Recent breakthroughs in RNA phage engineering techniques are especially highlighted. We conclude with a perspective on challenges and future prospects, emphasizing the untapped diversity of ssDNA and RNA phages and their potential to revolutionize biotechnology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huong Minh Nguyen
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Tochigi, Japan; (H.M.N.); (S.W.); (S.S.); (T.K.); (X.-E.T.)
| | - Shinya Watanabe
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Tochigi, Japan; (H.M.N.); (S.W.); (S.S.); (T.K.); (X.-E.T.)
| | - Sultana Sharmin
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Tochigi, Japan; (H.M.N.); (S.W.); (S.S.); (T.K.); (X.-E.T.)
| | - Tomofumi Kawaguchi
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Tochigi, Japan; (H.M.N.); (S.W.); (S.S.); (T.K.); (X.-E.T.)
| | - Xin-Ee Tan
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Tochigi, Japan; (H.M.N.); (S.W.); (S.S.); (T.K.); (X.-E.T.)
| | - Dhammika Leshan Wannigama
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata 990-2292, Yamagata, Japan;
| | - Longzhu Cui
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Tochigi, Japan; (H.M.N.); (S.W.); (S.S.); (T.K.); (X.-E.T.)
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Van Cauwenberghe J, Simms EL. How might bacteriophages shape biological invasions? mBio 2023; 14:e0188623. [PMID: 37812005 PMCID: PMC10653932 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01886-23] [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] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasions by eukaryotes dependent on environmentally acquired bacterial mutualists are often limited by the ability of bacterial partners to survive and establish free-living populations. Focusing on the model legume-rhizobium mutualism, we apply invasion biology hypotheses to explain how bacteriophages can impact the competitiveness of introduced bacterial mutualists. Predicting how phage-bacteria interactions affect invading eukaryotic hosts requires knowing the eco-evolutionary constraints of introduced and native microbial communities, as well as their differences in abundance and diversity. By synthesizing research from invasion biology, as well as bacterial, viral, and community ecology, we create a conceptual framework for understanding and predicting how phages can affect biological invasions through their effects on bacterial mutualists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannick Van Cauwenberghe
- Institute of Biodiversity, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Ellen L. Simms
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
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Kirchberger PC, Ochman H. Microviruses: A World Beyond phiX174. Annu Rev Virol 2023; 10:99-118. [PMID: 37774127 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-100120-011239] [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] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Two decades of metagenomic analyses have revealed that in many environments, small (∼5 kb), single-stranded DNA phages of the family Microviridae dominate the virome. Although the emblematic microvirus phiX174 is ubiquitous in the laboratory, most other microviruses, particularly those of the gokushovirus and amoyvirus lineages, have proven to be much more elusive. This puzzling lack of representative isolates has hindered insights into microviral biology. Furthermore, the idiosyncratic size and nature of their genomes have resulted in considerable misjudgments of their actual abundance in nature. Fortunately, recent successes in microvirus isolation and improved metagenomic methodologies can now provide us with more accurate appraisals of their abundance, their hosts, and their interactions. The emerging picture is that phiX174 and its relatives are rather rare and atypical microviruses, and that a tremendous diversity of other microviruses is ready for exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C Kirchberger
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA;
| | - Howard Ochman
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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