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Lin W, Li D, Pan L, Li M, Tong Y. Cyanobacteria-cyanophage interactions between freshwater and marine ecosystems based on large-scale cyanophage genomic analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175201. [PMID: 39102952 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
The disparities in harmful algal blooms dynamics are largely attributed to variations in cyanobacteria populations within aquatic ecosystems. However, cyanobacteria-cyanophage interactions and their role in shaping cyanobacterial populations has been previously underappreciated. To address this knowledge gap, we isolated and sequenced 42 cyanophages from diverse water sources in China, with the majority (n = 35) originating from freshwater sources. We designated these sequences as the "Novel Cyanophage Genome sequence Collection" (NCGC). NCGC displayed notable genetic variations, with 95 % (40/42) of the sequences representing previously unidentified taxonomic ranks. By integrating NCGC with public data of cyanophages and cyanobacteria, we found evidence for more frequent historical cyanobacteria-cyanophage interactions in freshwater ecosystems. This was evidenced by a higher prevalence of prophage integrase-related genes in freshwater cyanophages (37.97 %) than marine cyanophages (7.42 %). In addition, freshwater cyanophages could infect a broader range of cyanobacteria orders (n = 4) than marine ones (n = 0). Correspondingly, freshwater cyanobacteria harbored more defense systems per million base pairs in their genomes, indicating more frequent phage infections. Evolutionary and cyanophage epidemiological studies suggest that interactions between cyanobacteria and cyanophages in freshwater and marine ecosystems are interconnected, and that brackish water can act as a transitional zone for freshwater and marine cyanophages. In conclusion, our research significantly expands the genetic information database of cyanophage, offering a wider selection of cyanophages to control harmful cyanobacterial blooms. Additionally, we represent a pioneering large-scale and comprehensive analysis of cyanobacteria and cyanophage sequencing data, and it provides theoretical guidance for the application of cyanophages in different environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lin
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Dengfeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Lingting Pan
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Mengzhe Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering (BAIC-SM), Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
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2
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Tenorio-Carnalla K, Aguilar-Vera A, Hernández-Alvarez AJ, López-Leal G, Mateo-Estrada V, Santamaria RI, Castillo-Ramírez S. Host population structure and species resolution reveal prophage transmission dynamics. mBio 2024:e0237724. [PMID: 39315801 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02377-24] [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: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Much knowledge about bacteriophages has been obtained via genomics and metagenomics over the last decades. However, most studies dealing with prophage diversity have rarely conducted phage species delimitation (aspect 1) and have hardly integrated the population structure of the host (aspect 2). Yet, these two aspects are essential in assessing phage diversity. Here, we implemented an operational definition of phage species (clustering at 95% identity, 90% coverage) and integrated the host's population structure to understand prophage diversity better. Gathering the most extensive data set of Acinetobacter baumannii phages (4,152 prophages + 122 virulent phages, distributed in 46 countries in the world), we show that 91% (875 out of 963) of the prophage species have four or fewer prophages per species, and just five prophage species have more than 100 prophages. Most prophage species have a narrow host range and are geographically restricted; yet, very few have a broad host range being well spread in distant lineages of A. baumannii. These few broad host range prophage species are not only cosmopolitan but also the most abundant species. We also noted that polylysogens had very divergent prophages, belonging to different prophage species, and prophages can easily be gained and lost within the bacterial lineages. Finally, even with this extensive data set, the prophage diversity has not been fully grasped. Our study highlights how integrating the host population structure and a solid operational definition of phage species allows us to better appreciate phage diversity and its transmission dynamics. IMPORTANCE Much knowledge about bacteriophages has been obtained via genomics and metagenomics over the last decades. However, most studies dealing with prophage diversity have rarely conducted phage species delimitation (aspect 1) and have hardly integrated the population structure of the host (aspect 2). Yet, these two aspects are essential in assessing phage diversity. Here, we implemented an operational definition of phage species (clustering at 95% identity, 90% coverage) and integrated the host's population structure to understand prophage diversity better. Gathering the most extensive data set of Acinetobacter baumannii phages, we show that most prophage species have four or fewer prophages per species, and just five prophage species have more than 100 prophages. Most prophage species have a narrow host range and are geographically restricted; yet, very few have a broad host range being well spread in distant lineages of A. baumannii. These few broad host range prophage species are cosmopolitan and the most abundant species. Prophages in the same bacterial genome are very divergent, and prophages can easily be gained and lost within the bacterial lineages. Finally, even with this extensive data set, the prophage diversity has not been fully grasped. This study shows how integrating the host population structure and clustering at the species level allows us to better appreciate phage diversity and its transmission dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Tenorio-Carnalla
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Aguilar-Vera
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Alfredo J Hernández-Alvarez
- Unidadad de Administración de Tecnologías de Información, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Gamaliel López-Leal
- Laboratorio de Biología Computacional y Virómica Integrativa, Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Valeria Mateo-Estrada
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Rosa Isela Santamaria
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Santiago Castillo-Ramírez
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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3
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Wei Z, Li X, Ai C, Dang H. Characterization and Genomic Analyses of dsDNA Vibriophage vB_VpaM_XM1, Representing a New Viral Family. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:429. [PMID: 39330310 DOI: 10.3390/md22090429] [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: 08/16/2024] [Revised: 09/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A novel vibriophage vB_VpaM_XM1 (XM1) was described in the present study. Morphological analysis revealed that phage XM1 had Myovirus morphology, with an oblate icosahedral head and a long contractile tail. The genome size of XM1 is 46,056 bp, with a G + C content of 42.51%, encoding 69 open reading frames (ORFs). Moreover, XM1 showed a narrow host range, only lysing Vibrio xuii LMG 21346 (T) JL2919, Vibrio parahaemolyticus 1.1997, and V. parahaemolyticus MCCC 1H00029 among the tested bacteria. One-step growth curves showed that XM1 has a 20-min latent period and a burst size of 398 plaque-forming units (PFU)/cell. In addition, XM1 exhibited broad pH, thermal, and salinity stability, as well as strong lytic activity, even at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.001. Multiple genome comparisons and phylogenetic analyses showed that phage XM1 is grouped in a clade with three other phages, including Vibrio phages Rostov 7, X29, and phi 2, and is distinct from all known viral families that have ratified by the standard genomic analysis of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Therefore, the above four phages might represent a new viral family, tentatively named Weiviridae. The broad physiological adaptability of phage XM1 and its high lytic activity and host specificity indicated that this novel phage is a good candidate for being used as a therapeutic bioagent against infections caused by certain V. parahaemolyticus strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuyun Wei
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen 361102, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xuejing Li
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen 361102, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Chunxiang Ai
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Breeding, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Hongyue Dang
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen 361102, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen 361102, China
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4
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Cortés-Martín A, Buttimer C, Pozhydaieva N, Hille F, Shareefdeen H, Bolocan AS, Draper LA, Shkoporov AN, Franz CMAP, Höfer K, Ross RP, Hill C. Isolation and characterization of Septuagintavirus; a novel clade of Escherichia coli phages within the subfamily Vequintavirinae. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0059224. [PMID: 39101714 PMCID: PMC11370258 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00592-24] [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: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a commensal inhabitant of the mammalian gut microbiota, frequently associated with various gastrointestinal diseases. There is increasing interest in comprehending the variety of bacteriophages (phages) that target this bacterium, as such insights could pave the way for their potential use in therapeutic applications. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of four newly identified E. coli infecting tailed phages (W70, A7-1, A5-4, and A73) that were found to constitute a novel genus, Septuagintavirus, within the subfamily Vequintavirinae. Genomes of these phages ranged from 137 kbp to 145 kbp, with a GC content of 41 mol%. They possess a maximum nucleotide similarity of 30% with phages of the closest phylogenetic genus, Certrevirus, while displaying limited homology to other genera of the Vequintavirinae family. Host range analysis showed that these phages have limited activity against a panel of E. coli strains, infecting 6 out of 16 tested isolates, regardless of their phylotype. Electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) was performed on the virion of phage W70, allowing the identification of 28 structural proteins, 19 of which were shared with phages of other genera of Vequintavirinae family. The greatest diversity was identified with proteins forming tail fiber structures, likely indicating the adaptation of virions of each phage genus of this subfamily for the recognition of their target receptor on host cells. The findings of this study provide greater insights into the phages of the subfamily Vequintavirinae, contributing to the pool of knowledge currently known about these phages. IMPORTANCE Escherichia coli is a well-known bacterium that inhabits diverse ecological niches, including the mammalian gut microbiota. Certain strains are associated with gastrointestinal diseases, and there is a growing interest in using bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, to combat bacterial infections. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of four novel E. coli bacteriophages that constitute a new genus, Septuagintavirus, within the subfamily Vequintavirinae. We conducted mass spectrometry on virions of a representative phage of this novel clade and compared it to other phages within the subfamily. Our analysis shows that virion structure is highly conserved among all phages, except for proteins related to tail fiber structures implicated in the host range. These findings provide greater insights into the phages of the subfamily Vequintavirinae, contributing to the existing pool of knowledge about these phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Cortés-Martín
- APC Microbiome Ireland and School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Colin Buttimer
- APC Microbiome Ireland and School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Frank Hille
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institut, Kiel, Germany
| | - Hiba Shareefdeen
- APC Microbiome Ireland and School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Andrei S. Bolocan
- APC Microbiome Ireland and School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Lorraine A. Draper
- APC Microbiome Ireland and School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Andrey N. Shkoporov
- APC Microbiome Ireland and School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Katharina Höfer
- Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Marburg, Germany
| | - R. Paul Ross
- APC Microbiome Ireland and School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Colin Hill
- APC Microbiome Ireland and School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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5
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Alrafaie AM, Pyrzanowska K, Smith EM, Partridge DG, Rafferty J, Mesnage S, Shepherd J, Stafford GP. A diverse set of Enterococcus-infecting phage provides insight into phage host-range determinants. Virus Res 2024; 347:199426. [PMID: 38960003 PMCID: PMC11269942 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199426] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Enterococci are robust Gram-positive bacteria that pose a significant threat in healthcare settings due to antibiotic resistance, with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) most prominent. To tackle this issue, bacteriophages (bacterial viruses) can be exploited as they specifically and efficiently target bacteria. Here, we successfully isolated and characterised a set of novel phages: SHEF10, SHEF11, SHEF13, SHEF14, and SHEF16 which target E. faecalis (SHEF10,11,13), or E. faecium (SHEF13, SHEF14 & SHEF16) strains including a range of clinical and VRE isolates. Genomic analysis shows that all phages are strictly lytic and diverse in terms of genome size and content, quickly and effectively lysing strains at different multiplicity of infections. Detailed analysis of the broad host-range SHEF13 phage revealed the crucial role of the enterococcal polysaccharide antigen (EPA) variable region in its infection of E. faecalis V583. In parallel, the discovery of a carbohydrate-targeting domain (CBM22) found conserved within the three phage genomes indicates a role in cell surface interactions that may be important in phage-bacterial interactons. These findings advance our comprehension of phage-host interactions and pave the way for targeted therapeutic strategies against antibiotic-resistant enterococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alhassan M Alrafaie
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Karolina Pyrzanowska
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom, S10 2TA, UK
| | - Elspeth M Smith
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom, S10 2TA, UK
| | - David G Partridge
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK
| | - John Rafferty
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Stephane Mesnage
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Joanna Shepherd
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom, S10 2TA, UK
| | - Graham P Stafford
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom, S10 2TA, UK; School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
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6
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Vasileiadis A, Bozidis P, Konstantinidis K, Kesesidis N, Potamiti L, Kolliopoulou A, Beloukas A, Panayiotidis MI, Havaki S, Gorgoulis VG, Gartzonika K, Karakasiliotis I. A Novel Dhillonvirus Phage against Escherichia coli Bearing a Unique Gene of Intergeneric Origin. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:9312-9329. [PMID: 39329903 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46090551] [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: 07/24/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics resistance is expanding amongst pathogenic bacteria. Phage therapy is a revived concept for targeting bacteria with multiple antibiotics resistances. In the present study, we isolated and characterized a novel phage from hospital treatment plant input, using Escherichia coli (E. coli) as host bacterium. Phage lytic activity was detected by using soft agar assay. Whole-genome sequencing of the phage was performed by using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). Host range was determined using other species of bacteria and representative genogroups of E. coli. Whole-genome sequencing of the phage revealed that Escherichia phage Ioannina is a novel phage within the Dhillonvirus genus, but significantly diverged from other Dhillonviruses. Its genome is a 45,270 bp linear double-stranded DNA molecule that encodes 61 coding sequences (CDSs). The coding sequence of CDS28, a putative tail fiber protein, presented higher similarity to representatives of other phage families, signifying a possible recombination event. Escherichia phage Ioannina lytic activity was broad amongst the E. coli genogroups of clinical and environmental origin with multiple resistances. This phage may present in the future an important therapeutic tool against bacterial strains with multiple antibiotic resistances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios Vasileiadis
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45332 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Petros Bozidis
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45332 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Konstantinidis
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Kesesidis
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Louiza Potamiti
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| | - Anna Kolliopoulou
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
| | - Apostolos Beloukas
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
| | - Mihalis I Panayiotidis
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| | - Sophia Havaki
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilis G Gorgoulis
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
- Faculty Institute for Cancer Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4GJ, UK
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Surrey GU2 7YH, UK
| | - Konstantina Gartzonika
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45332 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ioannis Karakasiliotis
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Yamaki S, Yamazaki K. Biological characterization and genomic analysis of a novel bacteriophage, MopsHU1, infecting Morganella psychrotolerans. Arch Virol 2024; 169:182. [PMID: 39153099 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-024-06112-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Morganella psychrotolerans is a histamine-producing bacterium that causes histamine poisoning. In this study, we isolated and characterized a novel phage, MopsHU1, that infects M. psychrotolerans. MopsHU1 is a podovirus with a limited host spectrum. Genomic analysis showed that MopsHU1 belongs to the family Autographiviridae, subfamily Studiervirinae, and genus Kayfunavirus. Comparative analysis revealed that the MopsHU1 genome is similar to those of Citrobacter phage SH3 and Cronobacter phage Dev2. Moreover, the Escherichia coli phage K1F genome is also similar, except for its tailspike gene sequence. These results expand our understanding of the Kayfunavirus phages that infect Morganella spp. Note: The nucleotide sequence data reported here are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank database under the accession number LC799501.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Yamaki
- Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1, Minato, Hakodate, 041-8611, Japan.
| | - Koji Yamazaki
- Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1, Minato, Hakodate, 041-8611, Japan
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Gauthier CH, Hatfull GF. A Bioinformatic Ecosystem for Bacteriophage Genomics: PhaMMSeqs, Phamerator, pdm_utils, PhagesDB, DEPhT, and PhamClust. Viruses 2024; 16:1278. [PMID: 39205252 PMCID: PMC11359507 DOI: 10.3390/v16081278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The last thirty years have seen a meteoric rise in the number of sequenced bacteriophage genomes, spurred on by both the rise and success of groups working to isolate and characterize phages, and the rapid and significant technological improvements and reduced costs associated with sequencing their genomes. Over the course of these decades, the tools used to glean evolutionary insights from these sequences have grown more complex and sophisticated, and we describe here the suite of computational and bioinformatic tools used extensively by the integrated research-education communities such as SEA-PHAGES and PHIRE, which are jointly responsible for 25% of all complete phage genomes in the RefSeq database. These tools are used to integrate and analyze phage genome data from different sources, for identification and precise extraction of prophages from bacterial genomes, computing "phamilies" of related genes, and displaying the complex nucleotide and amino acid level mosaicism of these genomes. While over 50,000 SEA-PHAGES students have primarily benefitted from these tools, they are freely available for the phage community at large.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Graham F. Hatfull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA;
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9
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Soro O, Kigen C, Nyerere A, Gachoya M, Georges M, Odoyo E, Musila L. Characterization and Anti-Biofilm Activity of Lytic Enterococcus Phage vB_Efs8_KEN04 against Clinical Isolates of Multidrug-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis in Kenya. Viruses 2024; 16:1275. [PMID: 39205249 PMCID: PMC11360260 DOI: 10.3390/v16081275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is a growing cause of nosocomial and antibiotic-resistant infections. Treating drug-resistant E. faecalis requires novel approaches. The use of bacteriophages (phages) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has recently garnered global attention. Biofilms play a vital role in E. faecalis pathogenesis as they enhance antibiotic resistance. Phages eliminate biofilms by producing lytic enzymes, including depolymerases. In this study, Enterococcus phage vB_Efs8_KEN04, isolated from a sewage treatment plant in Nairobi, Kenya, was tested against clinical strains of MDR E. faecalis. This phage had a broad host range against 100% (26/26) of MDR E. faecalis clinical isolates and cross-species activity against Enterococcus faecium. It was able to withstand acidic and alkaline conditions, from pH 3 to 11, as well as temperatures between -80 °C and 37 °C. It could inhibit and disrupt the biofilms of MDR E. faecalis. Its linear double-stranded DNA genome of 142,402 bp contains 238 coding sequences with a G + C content and coding gene density of 36.01% and 91.46%, respectively. Genomic analyses showed that phage vB_Efs8_KEN04 belongs to the genus Kochikohdavirus in the family Herelleviridae. It lacked antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and lysogeny genes, and its stability, broad host range, and cross-species lysis indicate strong potential for the treatment of Enterococcus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oumarou Soro
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology, and Innovation, Nairobi P.O. Box 62000-00200, Kenya;
| | - Collins Kigen
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-Africa, Nairobi P.O. Box 606-00621, Kenya; (C.K.); (M.G.); (M.G.); (E.O.)
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 54840-00200, Kenya
| | - Andrew Nyerere
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi P.O. Box 62000-00200, Kenya;
| | - Moses Gachoya
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-Africa, Nairobi P.O. Box 606-00621, Kenya; (C.K.); (M.G.); (M.G.); (E.O.)
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 54840-00200, Kenya
| | - Martin Georges
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-Africa, Nairobi P.O. Box 606-00621, Kenya; (C.K.); (M.G.); (M.G.); (E.O.)
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 54840-00200, Kenya
| | - Erick Odoyo
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-Africa, Nairobi P.O. Box 606-00621, Kenya; (C.K.); (M.G.); (M.G.); (E.O.)
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 54840-00200, Kenya
| | - Lillian Musila
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-Africa, Nairobi P.O. Box 606-00621, Kenya; (C.K.); (M.G.); (M.G.); (E.O.)
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 54840-00200, Kenya
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10
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Kar P, Ghosh S, Payra P, Chakrabarti S, Pradhan S, Mondal KC, Ghosh K. Characterization of a novel lytic bacteriophage VPMCC14 which efficiently controls Vibrio harveyi in Penaeus monodon culture. Int Microbiol 2024; 27:1083-1093. [PMID: 38044417 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-023-00456-9] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Vibrio harveyi causes luminous vibriosis diseases in shrimp, which lead to shrimp mortalities. Considering the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a Vibrio-infecting bacteriophage, VPMCC14, was characterized, and its lysis ability was evaluated on a laboratory scale. VPMCC14 was shown to infect V. harveyi S5A and V. harveyi ATCC 14126. VPMCC14 also exhibited a latent period of 30 min, with a burst size of 38 PFU/cell on its propagation strain. The bacteriophage was stable at a wide range of pHs (3-9), temperatures (0-45°C), and salinities (up to 40 ppt). VPMCC14 exhibited strict virulence properties as the bacteriophage entirely lysed V. harveyi S5A in liquid culture inhibition after 5 h and 4 h at very low MOIs such as MOI 0.1 and MOI 1, respectively. VPMCC14 could control V. harveyi infection in aquariums at MOI 1 and decrease the mortality of Penaeus monodon challenged by V. harveyi. VPMCC14 genome was 134,472 bp long with a 34.5 G+C% content, and 240 open reading frames. A unique characteristic of VPMCC14 was the presence of the HicB family antitoxin-coding open reading frame. Comparative genomic analyses suggested that VPMCC14 could be a representative of a new genus in the Caudoviricetes class. This novel bacteriophage, VPMCC14, could be applied as a biocontrol agent for controlling V. harveyi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Kar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Midnapore City College, Midnapore, West Bengal, 721129, India
- Biodiversity and Environmental Studies Research Center, Midnapore City College affiliated to Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India
| | - Smita Ghosh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Midnapore City College, Midnapore, West Bengal, 721129, India
- Biodiversity and Environmental Studies Research Center, Midnapore City College affiliated to Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India
| | - Pijush Payra
- Department of Industrial Fish & Fisheries, Ramnagar College, Depal, Ramnagar, West Bengal, India
| | - Sudipta Chakrabarti
- Department of Biological Sciences, Midnapore City College, Midnapore, West Bengal, 721129, India
| | - Shrabani Pradhan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Midnapore City College, Midnapore, West Bengal, 721129, India
| | - Keshab Ch Mondal
- Department of Microbiology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India
| | - Kuntal Ghosh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Midnapore City College, Midnapore, West Bengal, 721129, India.
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11
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de Jonge PA, van den Born BJH, Zwinderman AH, Nieuwdorp M, Dutilh BE, Herrema H. Phylogeny and disease associations of a widespread and ancient intestinal bacteriophage lineage. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6346. [PMID: 39068184 PMCID: PMC11283538 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50777-0] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Viruses are core components of the human microbiome, impacting health through interactions with gut bacteria and the immune system. Most human microbiome viruses are bacteriophages, which exclusively infect bacteria. Until recently, most gut virome studies focused on low taxonomic resolution (e.g., viral operational taxonomic units), hampering population-level analyses. We previously identified an expansive and widespread bacteriophage lineage in inhabitants of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Here, we study their biodiversity and evolution in various human populations. Based on a phylogeny using sequences from six viral genome databases, we propose the Candidatus order Heliusvirales. We identify heliusviruses in 82% of 5441 individuals across 39 studies, and in nine metagenomes from humans that lived in Europe and North America between 1000 and 5000 years ago. We show that a large lineage started to diversify when Homo sapiens first appeared some 300,000 years ago. Ancient peoples and modern hunter-gatherers have distinct Ca. Heliusvirales populations with lower richness than modern urbanized people. Urbanized people suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as inflammatory bowel disease, have higher Ca. Heliusvirales richness than healthy controls. We thus conclude that these ancient core members of the human gut virome have thrived with increasingly westernized lifestyles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A de Jonge
- Department of Internal and Experimental Vascular Medicine; Amsterdam UMC; Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism; Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences; Diabetes & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bert-Jan H van den Born
- Department of Internal and Experimental Vascular Medicine; Amsterdam UMC; Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism; Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences; Diabetes & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Aeilko H Zwinderman
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology; Biostatistics and Bioinformatics; Amsterdam UMC; Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Max Nieuwdorp
- Department of Internal and Experimental Vascular Medicine; Amsterdam UMC; Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bas E Dutilh
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics; Science for Life, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Institute of Biodiversity; Faculty of Biological Sciences; Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Hilde Herrema
- Department of Internal and Experimental Vascular Medicine; Amsterdam UMC; Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism; Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences; Diabetes & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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12
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Pourcel C, Essoh C, Ouldali M, Tavares P. Acinetobacter baumannii satellite phage Aci01-2-Phanie depends on a helper myophage for its multiplication. J Virol 2024; 98:e0066724. [PMID: 38829140 PMCID: PMC11264900 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00667-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
We report the discovery of a satellite-helper phage system with a novel type of dependence on a tail donor. The Acinetobacter baumannii satellite podovirus Aci01-2-Phanie (short name Phanie) uses a phage phi29-like DNA replication and packaging mode. Its linear 11,885 bp dsDNA genome bears 171 bp inverted terminal repeats (ITR). Phanie is related to phage DU-PP-III from Pectobacterium and to members of the Astrithrvirus from Salmonella enterica. Together, they form a new clade of phages with 27% to 30% identity over the whole genome. Detailed 3D protein structure prediction and mass spectrometry analyses demonstrate that Phanie encodes its capsid structural genes and genes necessary to form a short tail. However, our study reveals that Phanie virions are non-infectious unless they associate with the contractile tail of an unrelated phage, Aci01-1, to produce chimeric myoviruses. Following the coinfection of Phanie with myovirus Aci01-1, hybrid viral particles composed of Phanie capsids and Aci01-1 contractile tails are assembled together with Phanie and Aci01-1 particles.IMPORTANCEThere are few reported cases of satellite-helper phage interactions but many more may be yet undiscovered. Here we describe a new mode of satellite phage dependence on a helper phage. Phanie, like phage phi29, replicates its linear dsDNA by a protein primed-mechanism and protects it inside podovirus-like particles. However, these particles are defective, requiring the acquisition of the tail from a myovirus helper for production of infectious virions. The formation of chimeras between a phi29-like podovirus and a helper contractile tail reveals an unexpected association between very different bacterial viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Pourcel
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Christiane Essoh
- Department of Biochemistry-Genetic, School of Biological Sciences, Université Peleforo Gon Coulibaly, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Malika Ouldali
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Paulo Tavares
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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13
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Wang Z, Peng X, Hülpüsch C, Khan Mirzaei M, Reiger M, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Deng L, Schloter M. Distinct prophage gene profiles of Staphylococcus aureus strains from atopic dermatitis patients and healthy individuals. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0091524. [PMID: 39012113 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00915-24] [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: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus strains exhibit varying associations with atopic dermatitis (AD), but the genetic determinants underpinning the pathogenicity are yet to be fully characterized. To reveal the genetic differences between S. aureus strains from AD patients and healthy individuals (HE), we developed and employed a random forest classifier to identify potential marker genes responsible for their phenotypic variations. The classifier was able to effectively distinguish strains from AD and HE. We also uncovered strong links between certain marker genes and phage functionalities, with phage holin emerging as the most pivotal differentiating factor. Further examination of S. aureus gene content highlighted the genetic diversity and functional implications of prophages in driving differentiation between strains from AD and HE. The HE group exhibited greater gene content diversity, largely influenced by their prophages. While strains from both AD and HE universally housed prophages, those in the HE group were distinctively higher at the strain level. Moreover, although prophages in the HE group exhibited variously higher enrichment of differential functions, the AD group displayed a notable enrichment of virulence factors within their prophages, underscoring the important contribution of prophages to the pathogenesis of AD-associated strains. Overall, prophages significantly shape the genetic and functional profiles of S. aureus strains, shedding light on their pathogenic potential and elucidating the mechanisms behind the phenotypic variations in AD and HE environments. IMPORTANCE Through a nuanced exploration of Staphylococcus aureus strains obtained from atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and healthy controls (HE), our research unveils pivotal genetic determinants influencing their pathogenic associations. Utilizing a random forest classifier, we illuminate distinct marker genes, with phage holin emerging as a critical differential factor, revealing the profound impact of prophages on genetic and pathogenic profiles. HE strains exhibited a diverse gene content, notably shaped by unique, heightened prophages. Conversely, AD strains emphasized a pronounced enrichment of virulence factors within prophages, signifying their key role in AD pathogenesis. This work crucially highlights prophages as central architects of the genetic and functional attributes of S. aureus strains, providing vital insights into pathogenic mechanisms and phenotypic variations, thereby paving the way for targeted AD therapeutic approaches and management strategies by demystifying specific genetic and pathogenic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongjie Wang
- Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Xue Peng
- Faculty of Biology, Biocenter, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Hülpüsch
- Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Insitute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Christine Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Mohammadali Khan Mirzaei
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair of Prevention of Microbial Infectious Diseases, Central Institute of Disease Prevention and School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Matthias Reiger
- Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Insitute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
- Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Insitute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Christine Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Li Deng
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair of Prevention of Microbial Infectious Diseases, Central Institute of Disease Prevention and School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Michael Schloter
- Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair of Environmental Microbiology, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
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14
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Villicaña C, Rubí-Rangel LM, Amarillas L, Lightbourn-Rojas LA, Carrillo-Fasio JA, León-Félix J. Isolation and Characterization of Two Novel Genera of Jumbo Bacteriophages Infecting Xanthomonas vesicatoria Isolated from Agricultural Regions in Mexico. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:651. [PMID: 39061333 PMCID: PMC11273794 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13070651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial spot is a serious disease caused by several species of Xanthomonas affecting pepper and tomato production worldwide. Since the strategies employed for disease management have been inefficient and pose a threat for environmental and human health, the development of alternative methods is gaining relevance. The aim of this study is to isolate and characterize lytic phages against Xanthomonas pathogens. Here, we isolate two jumbo phages, named XaC1 and XbC2, from water obtained from agricultural irrigation channels by the enrichment technique using X. vesicatoria as a host. We determined that both phages were specific for inducing the lysis of X. vesicatoria strains, but not of other xanthomonads. The XaC1 and XbC2 phages showed a myovirus morphology and were classified as jumbo phages due to their genomes being larger than 200 kb. Phylogenetic and comparative analysis suggests that XaC1 and XbC2 represent both different and novel genera of phages, where XaC1 possesses a low similarity to other phage genomes reported before. Finally, XaC1 and XbC2 exhibited thermal stability up to 45 °C and pH stability from 5 to 9. All these results indicate that the isolated phages are promising candidates for the development of formulations against bacterial spot, although further characterization is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Villicaña
- CONAHCYT—Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Genómica Funcional, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A. C., Culiacán 80110, Sinaloa, Mexico;
| | - Lucía M. Rubí-Rangel
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Genómica Funcional, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A. C., Culiacán 80110, Sinaloa, Mexico;
| | - Luis Amarillas
- Laboratorio de Genética, Instituto de Investigación Lightbourn, A. C., Cd. Jimenez 33981, Chihuahua, Mexico; (L.A.)
| | | | - José Armando Carrillo-Fasio
- Laboratorio de Nematología Agrícola, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A. C., Culiacán 80110, Sinaloa, Mexico;
| | - Josefina León-Félix
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Genómica Funcional, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A. C., Culiacán 80110, Sinaloa, Mexico;
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15
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Kim BH, Ashrafudoulla M, Shaila S, Park HJ, Sul JD, Park SH, Ha SD. Isolation, characterization, and application of bacteriophage on Vibrio parahaemolyticus biofilm to control seafood contamination. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2024; 64:107194. [PMID: 38723695 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107194] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study intended to isolate a Vibrio-particular phage from the natural environment, analyse its characteristics and genome sequence, and investigate its reduction effect on V. parahaemolyticus biofilm as a biocontrol agent in squid and mackerel. METHODS Among 21 phages, phage CAU_VPP01, isolated from beach mud, was chosen for further experiments based on host range and EOP tests. When examining the reduction effect of phage CAU_VPP01 against Vibrio parahaemolyticus biofilms on surfaces (stainless steel [SS] and polyethylene terephthalate [PET]) and food surfaces (squid and mackerel). RESULTS The phage showed the most excellent reduction effect at a multiplicity-of-infection (MOI) 10. Three-dimensional images acquired with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analysis were quantified using COMSTAT, which showed that biomass, average thickness, and roughness coefficient decreased when treated with the phage. Colour and texture analysis confirmed that the quality of squid and mackerel was maintained after the phage treatment. Finally, a comparison of gene expression levels determined by qRT-PCR analysis showed that the phage treatment induced a decrease in the gene expression of flaA, vp0962, andluxS, as examples. CONCLUSION This study indicated that Vibrio-specific phage CAU_VPP01 effectively controlled V. parahaemolyticus biofilms under various conditions and confirmed that the isolated phage could possibly be used as an effective biocontrol weapon in the seafood manufacturing industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byoung Hu Kim
- Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-Si, Republic of Korea; Food Quality Technology Center, Food Safety division, Pulmuone Co. Ltd., Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Md Ashrafudoulla
- Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-Si, Republic of Korea; National Institute of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shanjida Shaila
- Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-Si, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Jin Park
- College of Sport Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-Si, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Dug Sul
- College of Sport Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-Si, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Hong Park
- Food Science and Technology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Sang-Do Ha
- Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-Si, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Zhang Y, Shao Y, You H, Shen Y, Miao F, Yuan C, Chen X, Zhai M, Shen Y, Zhang J. Characterization and therapeutic potential of MRABP9, a novel lytic bacteriophage infecting multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical strains. Virology 2024; 595:110098. [PMID: 38705084 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110098] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most important pathogens of healthcare-associated infections. The rising prevalence of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (MRAB) strains and biofilm formation impact the outcome of conventional treatment. Phage-related therapy is a promising strategy to tame troublesome multidrug-resistant bacteria. Here, we isolated and evaluated a highly efficient lytic phage called MRABP9 from hospital sewage. The phage was a novel species within the genus Friunavirus and exhibited lytic activity against 2 other identified MRAB strains. Genomic analysis revealed it was a safe virulent phage and a pectate lyase domain was identified within its tail spike protein. MRABP9 showed potent bactericidal and anti-biofilm activity against MRAB, significantly delaying the time point of bacterial regrowth in vitro. Phage administration could rescue the mice from acute lethal MRAB infection. Considering its features, MRABP9 has the potential as an efficient candidate for prophylactic and therapeutic use against acute infections caused by MRAB strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Yong Shao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Hongyang You
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Yuqing Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Fengqin Miao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Chenyan Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Mengyan Zhai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yi Shen
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Jianqiong Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210018, China
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17
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Stanton CR, Petrovski S, Batinovic S. Isolation of a PRD1-like phage uncovers the carriage of three putative conjugative plasmids in clinical Burkholderia contaminans. Res Microbiol 2024; 175:104202. [PMID: 38582389 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2024.104202] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a group of increasingly multi-drug resistant opportunistic bacteria. This resistance is driven through a combination of intrinsic factors and the carriage of a broad range of conjugative plasmids harbouring virulence determinants. Therefore, novel treatments are required to treat and prevent further spread of these virulence determinants. In the search for phages infective for clinical Bcc isolates, CSP1 phage, a PRD1-like phage was isolated. CSP1 phage was found to require pilus machinery commonly encoded on conjugative plasmids to facilitate infection of Gram-negative bacteria genera including Escherichia and Pseudomonas. Whole genome sequencing and characterisation of one of the clinical Burkholderia isolates revealed it to be Burkholderia contaminans. B. contaminans 5080 was found to contain a genome of over 8 Mbp encoding multiple intrinsic resistance factors, such as efflux pump systems, but more interestingly, carried three novel plasmids encoding multiple putative virulence factors for increased host fitness, including antimicrobial resistance. Even though PRD1-like phages are broad host range, their use in novel antimicrobial treatments shouldn't be dismissed, as the dissemination potential of conjugative plasmids is extensive. Continued survey of clinical bacterial strains is also key to understanding the spread of antimicrobial resistance determinants and plasmid evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra R Stanton
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steve Petrovski
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Steven Batinovic
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia; Division of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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18
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Bekircan Eski D, Gencer D, Darcan C. Whole-genome sequence of a novel lytic bacteriophage infecting Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis from Turkey. J Gen Virol 2024; 105. [PMID: 39007232 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.002006] [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: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) is an important plant-pathogenic bacterium that causes canker and wilt diseases. Biological control of the disease with bacteriophages is an alternative to conventional methods. In this study, Phage33 infecting Cmm was characterized based on morphological and genomic properties. Morphological characteristics such as shape and size were investigated using electron microscopy. The whole genome was sequenced using the Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform and the sequence was assembled and annotated. VICTOR and VIRIDIC were used for determining the phylogeny and comparing viral genomes, respectively. Electron microscopy showed that Phage33 has an icosahedral head with a diameter of ~55 nm and a long, thin, non-contractile tail ~169 nm in length. The genome of Phage33 is 56 324 bp in size, has a GC content of 62.49 % and encodes 67 open reading frames. Thirty-seven ORFs showed high homology to functionally annotated bacteriophage proteins in the NCBI database. The remaining 30 ORFs were identified as hypothetical with unknown functions. The genome contains no antimicrobial resistance, no lysogenicity and no virulence signatures, suggesting that it is a suitable candidate for biocontrol agents. The results of a blastn search showed similarity to the previously reported Xylella phage Sano, with an average nucleotide sequence identity of 92.37 % and query coverage of 91 %. This result was verified using VICTOR and VIRIDIC analysis, and suggests that Phage33 is a new member of the genus Sanovirus under the class Caudoviricetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duygu Bekircan Eski
- Department of Biotechnology, Bilecik Seyh Edebali University, 11100 Bilecik, Turkey
| | - Donus Gencer
- Department of Property Protection and Security, Şalpazarı Vocational School, Trabzon University, 61670 Şalpazarı, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Cihan Darcan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilecik Seyh Edebali University, 11100 Bilecik, Turkey
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19
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González-Gómez JP, Rodríguez-Arellano SN, Gomez-Gil B, Vergara-Jiménez MDJ, Chaidez C. Genomic and biological characterization of bacteriophages against Enterobacter cloacae, a high-priority pathogen. Virology 2024; 595:110100. [PMID: 38714025 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110100] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Enterobacter cloacae is a clinically significant pathogen due to its multi-resistance to antibiotics, presenting a challenge in the treatment of infections. As concerns over antibiotic resistance escalate, novel therapeutic approaches have been explored. Bacteriophages, characterized by their remarkable specificity and ability to self-replicate within target bacteria, are emerging as a promising alternative therapy. In this study, we isolated and partially characterized nine lytic bacteriophages targeting E. cloacae, with two selected for comprehensive genomic analysis based on their host range and bacteriolytic activity. All identified phages exhibited a narrow host range, demonstrated stability within a temperature range of 30-60 °C, displayed pH tolerance from 3 to 10, and showed an excellent bacteriolytic capacity for up to 18 h. Notably, the fully characterized phage genomes revealed an absence of lysogenic, virulence, or antibiotic-resistance genes, positioning them as promising candidates for therapeutic intervention against E. cloacae-related diseases. Nonetheless, translating this knowledge into practical therapeutic applications mandates a deeper understanding of bacteriophage interactions within complex biological environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Pierre González-Gómez
- Laboratorio Nacional para la Investigación en Inocuidad Alimentaria (LANIIA), Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD), Carretera a Eldorado km 5.5, Campo El Diez, 80110, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | | | - Bruno Gomez-Gil
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD), Unidad Mazatlán en Acuicultura y Manejo Ambiental, AP 711, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | | | - Cristobal Chaidez
- Laboratorio Nacional para la Investigación en Inocuidad Alimentaria (LANIIA), Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD), Carretera a Eldorado km 5.5, Campo El Diez, 80110, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico.
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20
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Li S, Xu M, Yang D, Yang M, Wu H, Li X, Yang C, Fang Z, Wu Q, Tan L, Xiao W, Weng Q. Characterization and genomic analysis of a lytic Stenotrophomonas maltophilia short-tailed phage A1432 revealed a new genus of the family Mesyanzhinovviridae. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1400700. [PMID: 38993489 PMCID: PMC11236537 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1400700] [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: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) is an emerging opportunistic pathogen that exhibits resistant to a majority of commonly used antibiotics. Phages have the potential to serve as an alternative treatment for S. maltophilia infections. In this study, a lytic phage, A1432, infecting S. maltophilia YCR3A-1, was isolated and characterized from a karst cave. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that phage A1432 possesses an icosahedral head and a shorter tail. Phage A1432 demonstrated a narrow host range, with an optimal multiplicity of infection of 0.1. The one-step growth curve indicated a latent time of 10 min, a lysis period of 90 min, a burst size of 43.2 plaque-forming units per cell. In vitro bacteriolytic activity test showed that phage A1432 was capable to inhibit the growth of S. maltophilia YCR3A-1 in an MOI-dependent manner after 2 h of co-culture. BLASTn analysis showed that phage A1432 genome shares the highest similarity (81.46%) with Xanthomonas phage Xoo-sp2 in the NCBI database, while the query coverage was only 37%. The phage contains double-stranded DNA with a genome length of 61,660 bp and a GC content of 61.92%. It is predicted to have 79 open reading frames and one tRNA, with no virulence or antibiotic resistance genes. Phylogenetic analysis using terminase large subunit and DNA polymerase indicated that phage A1432 clustered with members of the Bradleyvirinae subfamily but diverged into a distinct branch. Further phylogenetic comparison analysis using Average Nucleotide Identity, proteomic phylogenetic analysis, genomic network analysis confirmed that phage A1432 belongs to a novel genus within the Bradleyvirinae subfamily, Mesyanzhinovviridae family. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis of the so far isolated S. maltophilia phages revealed significant genetic diversity among these phages. The results of this research will contribute valuable information for further studies on their morphological and genetic diversity, will aid in elucidating the evolutionary mechanisms that give rise to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixia Li
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Man Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Deying Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Mei Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hejing Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xuelian Li
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Changzhou Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zheng Fang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Qingshan Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Leitao Tan
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Wei Xiao
- Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Virology and Immunology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Qingbei Weng
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
- Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun, China
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21
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Han NS, Harada M, Pham-Khanh NH, Kamei K. Isolation, Characterization, and Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia Phage KIT06 Which Infects Nalidixic Acid-Resistant Escherichia coli. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:581. [PMID: 39061264 PMCID: PMC11274021 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13070581] [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: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the most common sources of infection in humans and animals. The emergence of E. coli which acquires resistance to various antibiotics has made treatment difficult. Bacteriophages can be considered promising agents to expand the options for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study describes the isolation and characterization of Escherichia phage KIT06, which can infect E. coli resistant to the quinolone antibiotic nalidixic acid. Phage virions possess an icosahedral head that is 93 ± 8 nm in diameter and a contractile tail (116 ± 12 nm × 13 ± 5 nm). The phage was found to be stable under various thermal and pH conditions. A one-step growth curve showed that the latent time of the phage was 20 min, with a burst size of 28 particles per infected cell. Phage KIT06 infected 7 of 12 E. coli strains. It inhibited the growth of the host bacterium and nalidixic acid-resistant E. coli. The lipopolysaccharide and outer membrane proteins of E. coli, tsx and btuB, are phage receptors. Phage KIT06 is a new species of the genus Tequatrovirus with a genome of 167,059 bp consisting of 264 open reading frames (ORFs) that encode gene products related to morphogenesis, replication, regulation, and host lysis. The lack of genes encoding integrase or excisionase indicated that this phage was lytic. Thus, KIT06 could potentially be used to treat antibiotic-resistant E. coli using phage therapy. However, further studies are essential to understand its use in combination with other antimicrobial agents and its safe use in such applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Song Han
- Department of Functional Chemistry, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (N.S.H.); (M.H.)
| | - Mana Harada
- Department of Functional Chemistry, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (N.S.H.); (M.H.)
| | - Nguyen Huan Pham-Khanh
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Can Tho University, Can Tho City 900000, Vietnam;
| | - Kaeko Kamei
- Department of Functional Chemistry, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (N.S.H.); (M.H.)
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22
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Michelle JiaMin L, Karthikeyan P, Kumaresan R, Millard A, Parimannan S, Rajandas H. Complete genome sequence of Enterococcus faecalis phage EF_RCK. Microbiol Resour Announc 2024; 13:e0010924. [PMID: 38651923 PMCID: PMC11237408 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00109-24] [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: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
A lytic bacteriophage EF_RCK infecting Enterococcus faecalis was isolated from a water sample collected in a raw cockle storage container at Taman Ria market, Sungai Petani, Malaysia. The phage has a 57,848-bp double-stranded DNA genome harboring 107 protein-encoding genes and shares 90.9% nucleotide similarity with Enterococcus phage EFKL (Saphexavirus genus).
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Affiliation(s)
- Loh Michelle JiaMin
- Centre of Excellence for Omics-Driven Computational Biodiscovery, AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Andrew Millard
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Sivachandran Parimannan
- Centre of Excellence for Omics-Driven Computational Biodiscovery, AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Heera Rajandas
- Centre of Excellence for Omics-Driven Computational Biodiscovery, AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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23
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Santamaría-Corral G, Pagán I, Aguilera-Correa JJ, Esteban J, García-Quintanilla M. A Novel Bacteriophage Infecting Multi-Drug- and Extended-Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:523. [PMID: 38927189 PMCID: PMC11200629 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060523] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa has dramatically increased over the last decade, and antibiotics alone are not enough to eradicate infections caused by this opportunistic pathogen. Phage therapy is a fresh treatment that can be administered under compassionate use, particularly against chronic cases. However, it is necessary to thoroughly characterize the virus before therapeutic application. Our work describes the discovery of the novel sequenced bacteriophage, vB_PaeP-F1Pa, containing an integrase, performs a phylogenetical analysis, describes its stability at a physiological pH and temperature, latent period (40 min), and burst size (394 ± 166 particles per bacterial cell), and demonstrates its ability to infect MDR and XDR P. aeruginosa strains. Moreover, this novel bacteriophage was able to inhibit the growth of bacteria inside preformed biofilms. The present study offers a road map to analyze essential areas for successful phage therapy against MDR and XDR P. aeruginosa infections, and shows that a phage containing an integrase is also able to show good in vitro results, indicating that it is very important to perform a genomic analysis before any clinical use, in order to prevent adverse effects in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Santamaría-Corral
- Clinical Microbiology Department, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (G.S.-C.); (J.J.A.-C.); (M.G.-Q.)
| | - Israel Pagán
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas UPM-INIA/CSIC and E.T.S. Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain;
| | - John Jairo Aguilera-Correa
- Clinical Microbiology Department, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (G.S.-C.); (J.J.A.-C.); (M.G.-Q.)
- CIBERINFEC-Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Esteban
- Clinical Microbiology Department, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (G.S.-C.); (J.J.A.-C.); (M.G.-Q.)
- CIBERINFEC-Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Meritxell García-Quintanilla
- Clinical Microbiology Department, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (G.S.-C.); (J.J.A.-C.); (M.G.-Q.)
- CIBERINFEC-Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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24
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Imklin N, Sriprasong P, Thanantong N, Lekcharoensuk P, Nasanit R. Two Novel Bacteriophage Species Against Hybrid Intestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli/Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains. PHAGE (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2024; 5:107-116. [PMID: 39119207 PMCID: PMC11304831 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2023.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Background Colibacillosis caused by Escherichia coli is one of the main problems in the swine industry. In addition, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and the combination of virulence genes among pathotypes have led to the emergence of more virulent pathogenic E. coli strains. Phage therapy has become a promising approach to address these issues. Materials and Methods Virulence genes for intestinal pathogenic E. coli (IPEC) and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) were investigated in pathogenic E. coli isolated from pigs. In addition, two potential phages, vB_EcoM-RPN187 and vB_EcoM-RPN226, isolated in our previous study, were further characterized in this study. Results Both phages were lytic and were highly effective at 20-37°C. Interestingly, they infected the hybrid IPEC/ExPEC strains. vB_EcoM-RPN187 and vB_EcoM-RPN226 possess 167 kbp of linear double-stranded DNA without virulence or antibiotic resistance genes and may be classified as new phage species in the genera Mosigvirus and Tequatrovirus, respectively. Conclusion Both phages could be promising candidates for phage therapy against pathogenic E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Napakhwan Imklin
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Pattaraporn Sriprasong
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Narut Thanantong
- Department of Farm Resources and Production Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Porntippa Lekcharoensuk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food, Kasetsart University Institute for Advanced Studies, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rujikan Nasanit
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
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25
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Brauer A, Rosendahl S, Kängsep A, Lewańczyk AC, Rikberg R, Hõrak R, Tamman H. Isolation and characterization of a phage collection against Pseudomonas putida. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16671. [PMID: 38863081 PMCID: PMC7616413 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16671] [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: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
The environmental bacterium, Pseudomonas putida, possesses a broad spectrum of metabolic pathways. This makes it highly promising for use in biotechnological production as a cell factory, as well as in bioremediation strategies to degrade various aromatic pollutants. For P. putida to flourish in its environment, it must withstand the continuous threats posed by bacteriophages. Interestingly, until now, only a handful of phages have been isolated for the commonly used laboratory strain, P. putida KT2440, and no phage defence mechanisms have been characterized. In this study, we present a new Collection of Environmental P. putida Phages from Estonia, or CEPEST. This collection comprises 67 double-stranded DNA phages, which belong to 22 phage species and 9 phage genera. Our findings reveal that most phages in the CEPEST collection are more infectious at lower temperatures, have a narrow host range, and require an intact lipopolysaccharide for P. putida infection. Furthermore, we show that cryptic prophages present in the P. putida chromosome provide strong protection against the infection of many phages. However, the chromosomal toxin-antitoxin systems do not play a role in the phage defence of P. putida. This research provides valuable insights into the interactions between P. putida and bacteriophages, which could have significant implications for biotechnological and environmental applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Age Brauer
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sirli Rosendahl
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anu Kängsep
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Alicja Cecylia Lewańczyk
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Roger Rikberg
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Rita Hõrak
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Hedvig Tamman
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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26
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Wilburn K, Matrishin CB, Choudhury A, Larsen R, Wildschutte H. Tradeoffs Between Evolved Phage Resistance and Antibiotic Susceptibility in a Highly Drug-Resistant Cystic Fibrosis-Derived Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain. PHAGE (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2024; 5:45-52. [PMID: 39119204 PMCID: PMC11304796 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2023.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Background Multi-drug resistant pathogens pose significant challenges towards the effective resolution of bacterial infections. A promising alternative strategy is phage therapy in which limited applications has afforded lifesaving resolution from drug resistant pathogens. However, adoption of this strategy is hampered by narrow bacteriophage host ranges, and as with antibiotics, bacteria can acquire resistance to phage. Methods To address these issues, we isolated 25 broad-host range phages against multiple cystic fibrosis (CF)-derived P. aeruginosa clinical strains thus promoting their application against conspecific pathogens. To investigate evolved resistance to phage in relation to antibiotic resistance, one CF-derived P. aeruginosa strain was exposed to a lytic phage over a short time scale. Results Trade-offs were observed in which evolved phage resistant P. aeruginosa strains showed decreased resistance to antibiotics. These traits that likely reflect single nucleotide polymorphisms. Conclusion Results suggest phage and antibiotics may be a combined approach to treat bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylee Wilburn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
| | - Cole B. Matrishin
- Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Anika Choudhury
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
| | - Ray Larsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
| | - Hans Wildschutte
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
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27
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Jaglan AB, Vashisth M, Sharma P, Verma R, Virmani N, Bera BC, Vaid RK, Singh RK, Anand T. Phage Mediated Biocontrol: A Promising Green Solution for Sustainable Agriculture. Indian J Microbiol 2024; 64:318-327. [PMID: 39011019 PMCID: PMC11246405 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-024-01204-x] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In the current scenario of growing world population, limited cultivable land resources, plant diseases, and pandemics are some of the major factors responsible for declining global food security. Along with meeting the food demand, the maintenance of food quality is also required to ensure healthy consumption and marketing. In agricultural fields, pest infestations and bacterial diseases are common causes of crop damage, leading to massive yield losses. Conventionally, antibiotics and several pesticides have been used to manage and control these plant pathogens. However, the overuse of antibiotics and pesticides has led to the emergence of resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria. The bacteriophages are the natural predators of bacteria and are host-specific in their action. Therefore, the use of bacteriophages for the biocontrol of pathogenic bacteria is serving as a sustainable and green solution in crop protection and production. In this review, we have discussed the important plant pathogens and their impact on plant health and yield loss. Further, we have abridged the role of bacteriophages in the protection of crops from bacterial disease by discussing various greenhouse and field trials. Finally, we have discussed the impact of bacteriophages on the plant microbiome, phage resistance, and legal challenges in the registration and commercial production of bacteriophage-based biopesticides. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-024-01204-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu Bala Jaglan
- ICAR - National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana 125001 India
- Department of Zoology and Aquaculture, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana 125004 India
| | - Medhavi Vashisth
- ICAR - National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana 125001 India
| | - Priya Sharma
- ICAR - National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana 125001 India
| | - Ravikant Verma
- Department of Zoology and Aquaculture, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana 125004 India
| | - Nitin Virmani
- ICAR - National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana 125001 India
| | - Bidhan C Bera
- ICAR - National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana 125001 India
| | - Rajesh K Vaid
- ICAR - National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana 125001 India
| | - Raj K Singh
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh 243122 India
| | - Taruna Anand
- ICAR - National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana 125001 India
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28
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Ridgway R, Lu H, Blower TR, Evans NJ, Ainsworth S. Genomic and taxonomic evaluation of 38 Treponema prophage sequences. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:549. [PMID: 38824509 PMCID: PMC11144348 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10461-5] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite Spirochetales being a ubiquitous and medically important order of bacteria infecting both humans and animals, there is extremely limited information regarding their bacteriophages. Of the genus Treponema, there is just a single reported characterised prophage. RESULTS We applied a bioinformatic approach on 24 previously published Treponema genomes to identify and characterise putative treponemal prophages. Thirteen of the genomes did not contain any detectable prophage regions. The remaining eleven contained 38 prophage sequences, with between one and eight putative prophages in each bacterial genome. The prophage regions ranged from 12.4 to 75.1 kb, with between 27 and 171 protein coding sequences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 24 of the prophages formed three distinct sequence clusters, identifying putative myoviral and siphoviral morphology. ViPTree analysis demonstrated that the identified sequences were novel when compared to known double stranded DNA bacteriophage genomes. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we have started to address the knowledge gap on treponeme bacteriophages by characterising 38 prophage sequences in 24 treponeme genomes. Using bioinformatic approaches, we have been able to identify and compare the prophage-like elements with respect to other bacteriophages, their gene content, and their potential to be a functional and inducible bacteriophage, which in turn can help focus our attention on specific prophages to investigate further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Ridgway
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - Hanshuo Lu
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK
| | - Tim R Blower
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Nicholas James Evans
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Stuart Ainsworth
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
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29
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Wu Q, An N, Fang Z, Li S, Xiang L, Liu Q, Tan L, Weng Q. Characteristics and whole-genome analysis of a novel Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato bacteriophage D6 isolated from a karst cave. Virus Genes 2024; 60:295-308. [PMID: 38594490 PMCID: PMC11139720 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-024-02064-9] [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: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Pseudomonas syringae is a gram-negative plant pathogen that infects plants such as tomato and poses a threat to global crop production. In this study, a novel lytic phage infecting P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000, named phage D6, was isolated and characterized from sediments in a karst cave. The latent period of phage D6 was found to be 60 min, with a burst size of 16 plaque-forming units per cell. Phage D6 was stable at temperatures between 4 and 40 °C but lost infectivity when heated to 70 °C. Its infectivity was unaffected at pH 6-10 but became inactivated at pH ≤ 5 or ≥ 12. The genome of phage D6 is a linear double-stranded DNA of 307,402 bp with a G + C content of 48.43%. There is a codon preference between phage D6 and its host, and the translation of phage D6 gene may not be entirely dependent on the tRNA library provided by the host. A total of 410 open reading frames (ORFs) and 14 tRNAs were predicted in its genome, with 92 ORFs encoding proteins with predicted functions. Phage D6 showed low genomic similarity to known phage genomes in the GenBank and Viral sequence databases. Genomic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that phage D6 is a novel phage. The tomato plants were first injected with phage D6, and subsequently with Pst DC3000, using the foliar spraying and root drenching inoculum approach. Results obtained after 14 days indicated that phage D6 inoculation decreased P. syringae-induced symptoms in tomato leaves and inhibited the pathogen's growth in the leaves. The amount of Pst DC3000 was reduced by 150- and 263-fold, respectively. In conclusion, the lytic phage D6 identified in this study belongs to a novel phage within the Caudoviricetes class and has potential for use in biological control of plant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingshan Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Ni An
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Fang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Shixia Li
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Lan Xiang
- Qiannan Normal College for Nationalities, Duyun, 558000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuping Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Leitao Tan
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingbei Weng
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China.
- Qiannan Normal College for Nationalities, Duyun, 558000, People's Republic of China.
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30
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Feltin C, Garneau JR, Morris CE, Bérard A, Torres-Barceló C. Novel phages of Pseudomonas syringae unveil numerous potential auxiliary metabolic genes. J Gen Virol 2024; 105:001990. [PMID: 38833289 PMCID: PMC11256456 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001990] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Relatively few phages that infect plant pathogens have been isolated and investigated. The Pseudomonas syringae species complex is present in various environments, including plants. It can cause major crop diseases, such as bacterial canker on apricot trees. This study presents a collection of 25 unique phage genomes that infect P. syringae. These phages were isolated from apricot orchards with bacterial canker symptoms after enrichment with 21 strains of P. syringae. This collection comprises mostly virulent phages, with only three being temperate. They belong to 14 genera, 11 of which are newly discovered, and 18 new species, revealing great genetic diversity within this collection. Novel DNA packaging systems have been identified bioinformatically in one of the new phage species, but experimental confirmation is required to define the precise mechanism. Additionally, many phage genomes contain numerous potential auxiliary metabolic genes with diversified putative functions. At least three phages encode genes involved in bacterial tellurite resistance, a toxic metalloid. This suggests that viruses could play a role in bacterial stress tolerance. This research emphasizes the significance of continuing the search for new phages in the agricultural ecosystem to unravel novel ecological diversity and new gene functions. This work contributes to the foundation for future fundamental and applied research on phages infecting phytopathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Feltin
- INRAE, Pathologie Végétale, F-84140, Montfavet, France
| | - Julian R. Garneau
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Shymialevich D, Błażejak S, Średnicka P, Cieślak H, Ostrowska A, Sokołowska B, Wójcicki M. Biological Characterization and Genomic Analysis of Three Novel Serratia- and Enterobacter-Specific Virulent Phages. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5944. [PMID: 38892136 PMCID: PMC11172527 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115944] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the high microbiological contamination of raw food materials and the increase in the incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, new methods of ensuring microbiological food safety are being sought. One solution may be to use bacteriophages (so-called phages) as natural bacterial enemies. Therefore, the aim of this study was the biological and genomic characterization of three newly isolated Serratia- and Enterobacter-specific virulent bacteriophages as potential candidates for food biocontrol. Serratia phage KKP_3708 (vB_Sli-IAFB_3708), Serratia phage KKP_3709 (vB_Sma-IAFB_3709), and Enterobacter phage KKP_3711 (vB_Ecl-IAFB_3711) were isolated from municipal sewage against Serratia liquefaciens strain KKP 3654, Serratia marcescens strain KKP 3687, and Enterobacter cloacae strain KKP 3684, respectively. The effect of phage addition at different multiplicity of infection (MOI) rates on the growth kinetics of the bacterial hosts was determined using a Bioscreen C Pro growth analyzer. The phages retained high activity in a wide temperature range (from -20 °C to 60 °C) and active acidity values (pH from 3 to 12). Based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging and whole-genome sequencing (WGS), the isolated bacteriophages belong to the tailed bacteriophages from the Caudoviricetes class. Genomic analysis revealed that the phages have linear double-stranded DNA of size 40,461 bp (Serratia phage KKP_3708), 67,890 bp (Serratia phage KKP_3709), and 113,711 bp (Enterobacter phage KKP_3711). No virulence, toxins, or antibiotic resistance genes were detected in the phage genomes. The lack of lysogenic markers indicates that all three bacteriophages may be potential candidates for food biocontrol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dziyana Shymialevich
- Culture Collection of Industrial Microorganisms—Microbiological Resources Center, Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Str., 02-532 Warsaw, Poland; (D.S.); (H.C.)
| | - Stanisław Błażejak
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS–SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166 Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Paulina Średnicka
- Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Str., 02-532 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Hanna Cieślak
- Culture Collection of Industrial Microorganisms—Microbiological Resources Center, Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Str., 02-532 Warsaw, Poland; (D.S.); (H.C.)
| | - Agnieszka Ostrowska
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS–SGGW), Ciszewskiego 8 Str., 02-786 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Barbara Sokołowska
- Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Str., 02-532 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Michał Wójcicki
- Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Str., 02-532 Warsaw, Poland;
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32
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Auzat I, Ouldali M, Jacquet E, Fauler B, Mielke T, Tavares P. Dual function of a highly conserved bacteriophage tail completion protein essential for bacteriophage infectivity. Commun Biol 2024; 7:590. [PMID: 38755280 PMCID: PMC11099176 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06221-6] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Infection of bacteria by phages is a complex multi-step process that includes specific recognition of the host cell, creation of a temporary breach in the host envelope, and ejection of viral DNA into the bacterial cytoplasm. These steps must be perfectly regulated to ensure efficient infection. Here we report the dual function of the tail completion protein gp16.1 of bacteriophage SPP1. First, gp16.1 has an auxiliary role in assembly of the tail interface that binds to the capsid connector. Second, gp16.1 is necessary to ensure correct routing of phage DNA to the bacterial cytoplasm. Viral particles assembled without gp16.1 are indistinguishable from wild-type virions and eject DNA normally in vitro. However, they release their DNA to the extracellular space upon interaction with the host bacterium. The study shows that a highly conserved tail completion protein has distinct functions at two essential steps of the virus life cycle in long-tailed phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Auzat
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Malika Ouldali
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Cryo-Electron Microscopy Facility, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Eric Jacquet
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, UPR 2301, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Beatrix Fauler
- Microscopy and Cryo-electron Microscopy Service Group, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestrasse 63-73, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thorsten Mielke
- Microscopy and Cryo-electron Microscopy Service Group, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestrasse 63-73, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paulo Tavares
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Irby I, Broddrick JT. Microbial adaptation to spaceflight is correlated with bacteriophage-encoded functions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3474. [PMID: 38750067 PMCID: PMC11096397 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42104-w] [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: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Evidence from the International Space Station suggests microbial populations are rapidly adapting to the spacecraft environment; however, the mechanism of this adaptation is not understood. Bacteriophages are prolific mediators of bacterial adaptation on Earth. Here we survey 245 genomes sequenced from bacterial strains isolated on the International Space Station for dormant (lysogenic) bacteriophages. Our analysis indicates phage-associated genes are significantly different between spaceflight strains and their terrestrial counterparts. In addition, we identify 283 complete prophages, those that could initiate bacterial lysis and infect additional hosts, of which 21% are novel. These prophage regions encode functions that correlate with increased persistence in extreme environments, such as spaceflight, to include antimicrobial resistance and virulence, DNA damage repair, and dormancy. Our results correlate microbial adaptation in spaceflight to bacteriophage-encoded functions that may impact human health in spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Irby
- Space Biosciences Research Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jared T Broddrick
- Space Biosciences Research Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA.
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34
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Gu Z, Wu K, Wang J. Structural morphing in the viral portal vertex of bacteriophage lambda. J Virol 2024; 98:e0006824. [PMID: 38661364 PMCID: PMC11092355 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00068-24] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The portal protein of tailed bacteriophage plays essential roles in various aspects of capsid assembly, motor assembly, genome packaging, connector formation, and infection processes. After DNA packaging is complete, additional proteins are assembled onto the portal to form the connector complex, which is crucial as it bridges the mature head and tail. In this study, we report high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the portal vertex from bacteriophage lambda in both its prohead and mature virion states. Comparison of these structures shows that during head maturation, in addition to capsid expansion, the portal protein undergoes conformational changes to establish interactions with the connector proteins. Additionally, the independently assembled tail undergoes morphological alterations at its proximal end, facilitating its connection to the head-tail joining protein and resulting in the formation of a stable portal-connector-tail complex. The B-DNA molecule spirally glides through the tube, interacting with the nozzle blade region of the middle-ring connector protein. These insights elucidate a mechanism for portal maturation and DNA translocation within the phage lambda system. IMPORTANCE The tailed bacteriophages possess a distinct portal vertex that consists of a ring of 12 portal proteins associated with a 5-fold capsid shell. This portal protein is crucial in multiple stages of virus assembly and infection. Our research focused on examining the structures of the portal vertex in both its preliminary prohead state and the fully mature virion state of bacteriophage lambda. By analyzing these structures, we were able to understand how the portal protein undergoes conformational changes during maturation, the mechanism by which it prevents DNA from escaping, and the process of DNA spirally gliding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Kexun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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35
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Zhang Y, Wang R, Hu Q, Lv N, Zhang L, Yang Z, Zhou Y, Wang X. Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophages and control hemorrhagic pneumonia on a mice model. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1396774. [PMID: 38808279 PMCID: PMC11132263 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1396774] [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: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common pathogens causing hemorrhagic pneumonia in Chinese forest musk deer. Multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa is frequently isolated from the lungs of affected musk deer in Shaanxi Province, China. With the increasing bacterial drug resistance, commonly used antibiotics have shown limited efficacy against drug-resistant P. aeruginosa. Therefore, phages have garnered attention as a promising alternative to antibiotics among researchers. In this study, phages vB_PaeP_YL1 and vB_PaeP_YL2 (respectively referred to as YL1 and YL2) were isolated from mixed sewage samples from a farm. YL1 and YL2 exhibit an icosahedral head and a non-contractile short tail, belonging to the Podoviridae family. Identification results demonstrate good tolerance to low temperatures and pH levels, with minimal variation in potency within 30 min of UV irradiation. The MOI for both YL1 and YL2 was 0.1, and their one-step growth curve latent periods were 10 min and 20 min, respectively. Moreover, both single phage and phage cocktail effectively inhibited the growth of the host bacteria in vitro, with the phage cocktail showing superior inhibitory effects compared to the single phage. YL1 and YL2 possess double-stranded DNA genomes, with YL1 having a genome size of 72,187 bp and a total G + C content of 55.02%, while YL2 has a genome size of 72,060 bp and a total G + C content of 54.98%. YL1 and YL2 are predicted to have 93 and 92 open reading frames (ORFs), respectively, and no ORFs related to drug resistance or lysogeny were found in both phages. Genome annotation and phylogenetic analysis revealed that YL1 is closely related to vB_PaeP_FBPa1 (ON857943), while YL2 is closely related to vB_PaeP_FBPa1 (ON857943) and Phage26 (NC041907). In a mouse model of hemorrhagic pneumonia, phage cocktail treatment showed better control of the disease and significantly reduced lung bacterial load compared to single phage treatment. Therefore, YL1 and YL2 have the potential for the prevention and treatment of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjie Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Ruiqing Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Qingxia Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Ni Lv
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Likun Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Zengqi Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Yefei Zhou
- Nanjing Xiao Zhuang University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinglong Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
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36
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An N, Wu Q, Fang Z, Xiang L, Liu Q, Tan L, Weng Q. Genome analysis and classification of Xanthomonas bacteriophage AhaSv, a new member of the genus Salvovirus. Arch Virol 2024; 169:117. [PMID: 38739272 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-024-06047-x] [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: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Xanthomonas phage AhaSv was isolated from lake water. Genome sequencing showed that its genome is a linear dsDNA molecule with a length of 55,576 bp and a G+C content of 63.23%. Seventy-one open reading frames (ORFs) were predicted, and no tRNAs were found in the genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that AhaSv is closely related to members of the genus Salvovirus of the family Casjensviridae. Intergenomic similarity values between phage AhaSv and homologous phages were up to 90.6%, suggesting that phage AhaSv should be considered a member of a new species in the genus Salvovirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni An
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingshan Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Fang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Lan Xiang
- Qiannan Normal College for Nationalities, Duyun, 558000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuping Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Leitao Tan
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingbei Weng
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China.
- Qiannan Normal College for Nationalities, Duyun, 558000, People's Republic of China.
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37
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Evseev PV, Sukhova AS, Tkachenko NA, Skryabin YP, Popova AV. Lytic Capsule-Specific Acinetobacter Bacteriophages Encoding Polysaccharide-Degrading Enzymes. Viruses 2024; 16:771. [PMID: 38793652 PMCID: PMC11126041 DOI: 10.3390/v16050771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The genus Acinetobacter comprises both environmental and clinically relevant species associated with hospital-acquired infections. Among them, Acinetobacter baumannii is a critical priority bacterial pathogen, for which the research and development of new strategies for antimicrobial treatment are urgently needed. Acinetobacter spp. produce a variety of structurally diverse capsular polysaccharides (CPSs), which surround the bacterial cells with a thick protective layer. These surface structures are primary receptors for capsule-specific bacteriophages, that is, phages carrying tailspikes with CPS-depolymerizing/modifying activities. Phage tailspike proteins (TSPs) exhibit hydrolase, lyase, or esterase activities toward the corresponding CPSs of a certain structure. In this study, the data on all lytic capsule-specific phages infecting Acinetobacter spp. with genomes deposited in the NCBI GenBank database by January 2024 were summarized. Among the 149 identified TSPs encoded in the genomes of 143 phages, the capsular specificity (K specificity) of 46 proteins has been experimentally determined or predicted previously. The specificity of 63 TSPs toward CPSs, produced by various Acinetobacter K types, was predicted in this study using a bioinformatic analysis. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis confirmed the prediction and revealed the possibility of the genetic exchange of gene regions corresponding to the CPS-recognizing/degrading parts of different TSPs between morphologically and taxonomically distant groups of capsule-specific Acinetobacter phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter V. Evseev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, City District Serpukhov, Moscow Region, 142279 Obolensk, Russia; (A.S.S.); (Y.P.S.)
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia S. Sukhova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, City District Serpukhov, Moscow Region, 142279 Obolensk, Russia; (A.S.S.); (Y.P.S.)
| | - Nikolay A. Tkachenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Yuriy P. Skryabin
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, City District Serpukhov, Moscow Region, 142279 Obolensk, Russia; (A.S.S.); (Y.P.S.)
| | - Anastasia V. Popova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, City District Serpukhov, Moscow Region, 142279 Obolensk, Russia; (A.S.S.); (Y.P.S.)
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38
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Lossouarn J, Beurrier E, Bouteau A, Moncaut E, Sir Silmane M, Portalier H, Zouari A, Cattoir V, Serror P, Petit MA. The virtue of training: extending phage host spectra against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium strains using the Appelmans method. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0143923. [PMID: 38591854 PMCID: PMC11210271 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01439-23] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy has (re)emerged as a serious possibility for combating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, including those caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium strains. These opportunistic pathogens belong to a specific clonal complex 17, against which relatively few phages have been screened. We isolated a collection of 21 virulent phages growing on these vancomycin-resistant isolates. Each of these phages harbored a typical narrow plaquing host range, lysing at most 5 strains and covering together 10 strains of our panel of 14 clinical isolates. To enlarge the host spectrum of our phages, the Appelmans protocol was used. We mixed four out of our most complementary phages in a cocktail that we iteratively grew on eight naive strains from our panel, of which six were initially refractory to at least three of the combined phages. Fifteen successive passages permitted to significantly improve the lytic activity of the cocktail, from which phages with extended host ranges within the E. faecium species could be isolated. A single evolved phage able to kill up to 10 of the 14 initial E. faecium strains was obtained, and it barely infected nearby species. All evolved phages had acquired point mutations or a recombination event in the tail fiber genetic region, suggesting these genes might have driven phage evolution by contributing to their extended host spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Lossouarn
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Elsa Beurrier
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Astrid Bouteau
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Elisabeth Moncaut
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Maria Sir Silmane
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Heïdi Portalier
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Asma Zouari
- CHU de Rennes, Service de Bactériologie-Hygiène Hospitalière et CNR de la Résistance aux Antibiotiques (laboratoire associé "Entérocoques"), Rennes, France
| | - Vincent Cattoir
- CHU de Rennes, Service de Bactériologie-Hygiène Hospitalière et CNR de la Résistance aux Antibiotiques (laboratoire associé "Entérocoques"), Rennes, France
- Université de Rennes, INSERM, UMR_S1230 BRM, Rennes, France
| | - Pascale Serror
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Marie-Agnès Petit
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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Cook R, Crisci MA, Pye HV, Telatin A, Adriaenssens EM, Santini JM. Decoding huge phage diversity: a taxonomic classification of Lak megaphages. J Gen Virol 2024; 105:001997. [PMID: 38814706 PMCID: PMC11165621 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001997] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
High-throughput sequencing for uncultivated viruses has accelerated the understanding of global viral diversity and uncovered viral genomes substantially larger than any that have so far been cultured. Notably, the Lak phages are an enigmatic group of viruses that present some of the largest known phage genomes identified in human and animal microbiomes, and are dissimilar to any cultivated viruses. Despite the wealth of viral diversity that exists within sequencing datasets, uncultivated viruses have rarely been used for taxonomic classification. We investigated the evolutionary relationships of 23 Lak phages and propose a taxonomy for their classification. Predicted protein analysis revealed the Lak phages formed a deeply branching monophyletic clade within the class Caudoviricetes which contained no other phage genomes. One of the interesting features of this clade is that all current members are characterised by an alternative genetic code. We propose the Lak phages belong to a new order, the 'Grandevirales'. Protein and nucleotide-based analyses support the creation of two families, three sub-families, and four genera within the order 'Grandevirales'. We anticipate that the proposed taxonomy of Lak megaphages will simplify the future classification of related viral genomes as they are uncovered. Continued efforts to classify divergent viruses are crucial to aid common analyses of viral genomes and metagenomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Cook
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Marco A. Crisci
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, UCL, London, UK
| | - Hannah V. Pye
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Andrea Telatin
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | | | - Joanne M. Santini
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, UCL, London, UK
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40
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Sprotte S, Brinks E, Neve H, Franz CM. Complete genome sequence of the novel virulent phage PMBT24 infecting Enterocloster bolteae from the human gut. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28813. [PMID: 38655313 PMCID: PMC11035940 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28813] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
PMBT24, the first reported virulent bacteriophage infecting the anaerobic human gut bacterium Enterocloster bolteae strain MBT-21, was isolated from a municipal sewage sample and its genome was sequenced and analysed. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a phage with an icosahedral head and a long, non-contractile tail. The circularly permutated, 99,962-bp dsDNA genome of the pac-type phage has a mol% G + C content of 32.1 and comprises 173 putative ORFs. Using amino acid sequence-based phylogeny, phage PMBT24 showed similarity to other, hitherto non-published phage genomes in the databases. Our data suggested phage PMBT24 to present the type phage of a novel genus (proposed name Kielvirus) and novel family of phages (proposed name Kielviridae).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Sprotte
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Hermann-Weigmann-Str. 1, 24103, Kiel, Germany
| | - Erik Brinks
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Hermann-Weigmann-Str. 1, 24103, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Charles M.A.P. Franz
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Hermann-Weigmann-Str. 1, 24103, Kiel, Germany
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41
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Ely B, Hils M, Clarke A, Albert M, Holness N, Lenski J, Mohammadi T. New Genera and Species of Caulobacter and Brevundimonas Bacteriophages Provide Insights into Phage Genome Evolution. Viruses 2024; 16:641. [PMID: 38675982 PMCID: PMC11053796 DOI: 10.3390/v16040641] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have identified diverse bacteriophages that infect Caulobacter vibrioides strain CB15 ranging from small RNA phages to four genera of jumbo phages. In this study, we focus on 20 bacteriophages whose genomes range from 40 to 60 kb in length. Genome comparisons indicated that these diverse phages represent six Caulobacter phage genera and one additional genus that includes both Caulobacter and Brevundimonas phages. Within species, comparisons revealed that both single base changes and inserted or deleted genetic material cause the genomes of closely related phages to diverge. Among genera, the basic gene order and the orientation of key genes were retained with most of the observed variation occurring at ends of the genomes. We hypothesize that the nucleotide sequences of the ends of these phage genomes are less important than the need to maintain the size of the genome and the stability of the corresponding mRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert Ely
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA (A.C.); (M.A.); (T.M.)
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O'Connell LM, Coffey A, O'Mahony JM. Genomic analysis of seven mycobacteriophages identifies three novel species with differing phenotypic stabilities. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27932. [PMID: 38515691 PMCID: PMC10955285 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27932] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, case studies have been published regarding the application of mycobacteriophage (MP) therapy (MPT) in patients with multi-antibiotic-resistant infections. A major limitation in the development of MPT is the paucity of therapeutically useful MP. As there are approximately 10,000 MP that have yet to be sequenced, it is possible that characterization of this cohort would increase the repertoire of useful MP. This study aims to contribute to such a strategy, by characterizing a cohort of 7 mycobacteriophages. Sequencing analyses revealed that the MP have unique sequences, and subsequent gene annotation revealed differences in gene organization. Notably, MP LOCARD has the largest genome and operons encoding for glycosyltransferases. Taxonomic analysis executed with VIRIDIC, Gegenees and VICTOR revealed that LOCARD belongs to a different genus than the other phages and is the foundational member of one of three novel species identified in this study. LOCARD, LOCV2, and LOCV5 were selected as representative members of their species and subjected to phenotypic analyses to compare their stability under biologically and industrially relevant conditions. Again LOCARD stood out, as it was unaffected by the typical temperatures (37 °C) and salinity (0.9%) experienced in mammals, while the viability of LOCV2 and LOCV5 was significantly reduced. LOCARD was also tolerant to pH 10, low levels of antiviral detergent and was the least impacted by a single freeze-thaw cycle. When all these results are considered, it indicates that LOCARD in particular, has potential therapeutic and/or diagnostics applications, given its resilience towards physiological and storage conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. O'Connell
- Munster Technological University, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork, T12 P928, Ireland
| | - Aidan Coffey
- Munster Technological University, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork, T12 P928, Ireland
| | - Jim M. O'Mahony
- Munster Technological University, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork, T12 P928, Ireland
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Bhandare S, Lawal OU, Colavecchio A, Cadieux B, Zahirovich-Jovich Y, Zhong Z, Tompkins E, Amitrano M, Kukavica-Ibrulj I, Boyle B, Wang S, Levesque RC, Delaquis P, Danyluk M, Goodridge L. Genomic and Phenotypic Analysis of Salmonella enterica Bacteriophages Identifies Two Novel Phage Species. Microorganisms 2024; 12:695. [PMID: 38674639 PMCID: PMC11052255 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040695] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) are potential alternatives to chemical antimicrobials against pathogens of public health significance. Understanding the diversity and host specificity of phages is important for developing effective phage biocontrol approaches. Here, we assessed the host range, morphology, and genetic diversity of eight Salmonella enterica phages isolated from a wastewater treatment plant. The host range analysis revealed that six out of eight phages lysed more than 81% of the 43 Salmonella enterica isolates tested. The genomic sequences of all phages were determined. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data revealed that phage genome sizes ranged from 41 to 114 kb, with GC contents between 39.9 and 50.0%. Two of the phages SB13 and SB28 represent new species, Epseptimavirus SB13 and genera Macdonaldcampvirus, respectively, as designated by the International Committee for the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) using genome-based taxonomic classification. One phage (SB18) belonged to the Myoviridae morphotype while the remaining phages belonged to the Siphoviridae morphotype. The gene content analyses showed that none of the phages possessed virulence, toxin, antibiotic resistance, type I-VI toxin-antitoxin modules, or lysogeny genes. Three (SB3, SB15, and SB18) out of the eight phages possessed tailspike proteins. Whole-genome-based phylogeny of the eight phages with their 113 homologs revealed three clusters A, B, and C and seven subclusters (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, and C2). While cluster C1 phages were predominantly isolated from animal sources, cluster B contained phages from both wastewater and animal sources. The broad host range of these phages highlights their potential use for controlling the presence of S. enterica in foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhakar Bhandare
- Food Safety and Quality Program, Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada or (S.B.)
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Opeyemi U. Lawal
- Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Anna Colavecchio
- Food Safety and Quality Program, Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada or (S.B.)
| | - Brigitte Cadieux
- Food Safety and Quality Program, Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada or (S.B.)
| | - Yella Zahirovich-Jovich
- Food Safety and Quality Program, Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada or (S.B.)
| | - Zeyan Zhong
- Food Safety and Quality Program, Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada or (S.B.)
| | - Elizabeth Tompkins
- Food Safety and Quality Program, Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada or (S.B.)
| | - Margot Amitrano
- Food Safety and Quality Program, Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada or (S.B.)
| | - Irena Kukavica-Ibrulj
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (IBIS), Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada (R.C.L.)
| | - Brian Boyle
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (IBIS), Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada (R.C.L.)
| | - Siyun Wang
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
| | - Roger C. Levesque
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (IBIS), Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada (R.C.L.)
| | - Pascal Delaquis
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0, Canada
| | - Michelle Danyluk
- Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Lawrence Goodridge
- Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
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Babkin IV, Tikunov AY, Baykov IK, Morozova VV, Tikunova NV. Genome Analysis of Epsilon CrAss-like Phages. Viruses 2024; 16:513. [PMID: 38675856 PMCID: PMC11054128 DOI: 10.3390/v16040513] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
CrAss-like phages play an important role in maintaining ecological balance in the human intestinal microbiome. However, their genetic diversity and lifestyle are still insufficiently studied. In this study, a novel CrAssE-Sib phage genome belonging to the epsilon crAss-like phage genomes was found. Comparative analysis indicated that epsilon crAss-like phages are divided into two putative genera, which were proposed to be named Epsilonunovirus and Epsilonduovirus; CrAssE-Sib belongs to the former. The crAssE-Sib genome contains a diversity-generating retroelement (DGR) cassette with all essential elements, including the reverse transcriptase (RT) and receptor binding protein (RBP) genes. However, this RT contains the GxxxSP motif in its fourth domain instead of the usual GxxxSQ motif found in all known phage and bacterial DGRs. RBP encoded by CrAssE-Sib and other Epsilonunoviruses has an unusual structure, and no similar phage proteins were found. In addition, crAssE-Sib and other Epsilonunoviruses encode conserved prophage repressor and anti-repressors that could be involved in lysogenic-to-lytic cycle switches. Notably, DNA primase sequences of epsilon crAss-like phages are not included in the monophyletic group formed by the DNA primases of all other crAss-like phages. Therefore, epsilon crAss-like phage substantially differ from other crAss-like phages, indicating the need to classify these phages into a separate family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor V. Babkin
- Federal State Public Scientific Institution «Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine», Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Y.T.); (I.K.B.); (V.V.M.)
| | - Artem Y. Tikunov
- Federal State Public Scientific Institution «Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine», Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Y.T.); (I.K.B.); (V.V.M.)
| | - Ivan K. Baykov
- Federal State Public Scientific Institution «Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine», Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Y.T.); (I.K.B.); (V.V.M.)
- Shared Research Facility “Siberian Circular Photon Source” (SRF “SKIF”) of Boreskov Institute of Catalysis SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vera V. Morozova
- Federal State Public Scientific Institution «Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine», Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Y.T.); (I.K.B.); (V.V.M.)
| | - Nina V. Tikunova
- Federal State Public Scientific Institution «Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine», Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Y.T.); (I.K.B.); (V.V.M.)
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Schmidtke DT, Hickey AS, Liachko I, Sherlock G, Bhatt AS. Analysis and culturing of the prototypic crAssphage reveals a phage-plasmid lifestyle. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.20.585998. [PMID: 38562748 PMCID: PMC10983915 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.20.585998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The prototypic crAssphage (Carjivirus communis) is one of the most abundant, prevalent, and persistent gut bacteriophages, yet it remains uncultured and its lifestyle uncharacterized. For the last decade, crAssphage has escaped plaque-dependent culturing efforts, leading us to investigate alternative lifestyles that might explain its widespread success. Through genomic analyses and culturing, we find that crAssphage uses a phage-plasmid lifestyle to persist extrachromosomally. Plasmid-related genes are more highly expressed than those implicated in phage maintenance. Leveraging this finding, we use a plaque-free culturing approach to measure crAssphage replication in culture with Phocaeicola vulgatus, Phocaeicola dorei, and Bacteroides stercoris, revealing a broad host range. We demonstrate that crAssphage persists with its hosts in culture without causing major cell lysis events or integrating into host chromosomes. The ability to switch between phage and plasmid lifestyles within a wide range of hosts contributes to the prolific nature of crAssphage in the human gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica T. Schmidtke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Gavin Sherlock
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Senior author
| | - Ami S. Bhatt
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Lead corresponding author
- Senior author
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Manohar P, Loh B, Turner D, Tamizhselvi R, Mathankumar M, Elangovan N, Nachimuthu R, Leptihn S. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the biofilm-degrading Pseudomonas phage Motto, as a candidate for phage therapy. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1344962. [PMID: 38559352 PMCID: PMC10978715 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1344962] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to the emergence of strains that have acquired multidrug resistance. Therefore, phage therapy has gained attention as an alternative to the treatment of pseudomonal infections. Phages are not only bactericidal but occasionally show activity against biofilm as well. In this study, we describe the Pseudomonas phage Motto, a T1-like phage that can clear P. aeruginosa infections in an animal model and also exhibits biofilm-degrading properties. The phage has a substantial anti-biofilm activity against strong biofilm-producing isolates (n = 10), with at least a twofold reduction within 24 h. To demonstrate the safety of using phage Motto, cytotoxicity studies were conducted with human cell lines (HEK 293 and RAW 264.7 macrophages). Using a previously established in vivo model, we demonstrated the efficacy of Motto in Caenorhabditis elegans, with a 90% survival rate when treated with the phage at a multiplicity of infection of 10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanth Manohar
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, India
| | - Belinda Loh
- Department of Vaccines and Infection Models, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dann Turner
- School of Applied Sciences, College of Health, Science and Society, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ramasamy Tamizhselvi
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, India
| | - Marimuthu Mathankumar
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, India
| | - Namasivayam Elangovan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioscience, Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ramesh Nachimuthu
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, India
| | - Sebastian Leptihn
- Department of Biochemistry, Health and Medical University, Erfurt, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Usman SS, Christina E. Characterization and genome-informatic analysis of a novel lytic mendocina phage vB_PmeS_STP12 suitable for phage therapy pseudomonas or biocontrol. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:419. [PMID: 38483683 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09362-3] [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: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A novel lytic bacteriophage (phage) was isolated with Pseudomonas mendocina strain STP12 (P. mendocina) from the untreated site of Sewage Treatment Plant of Lovely Professional University, India. P. mendocina is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium belonging to the family Pseudomonadaceae and has been reported in fifteen (15) cases of economically important diseases worldwide. METHODS AND RESULTS Here, a novel phage specifically infecting and killing P. mendocina strain STP12 was isolated from sewage sample using enrichment, spot test and double agar overlay (DAOL) method and was designated as vB_PmeS_STP12. The phage vB-PmeS-STP12 was viable at wide range of pH and temperature ranging from 4 to10 and - 20 to 70 °C respectively. Host range and efficiency of plating (EOP) analysis indicated that phage vB-PmeS-STP12 was capable of infecting and killing P. mendocina strain STP6 with EOP of 0.34. Phage vB_PmeS_STP12 was found to have a significant bacterial reduction (p < 0.005) at all the doses administered, particularly at optimal MOI of 1 PFU/CFU, compared to the control. Morphological analysis using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) revealed an icosahedral capsid of ~ 55 nm in diameter on average with a short, non-contractile tail. The genome of vB_PmeS_STP12 is a linear, dsDNA containing 36,212 bp in size with a GC content of 58.87% harbouring 46 open reading frames (ORFs). The 46 predicted ORFs encode proteins with functional information categorized as lysis, replication, packaging, regulation, assembly, infection, immune, and hypothetical. However, the genome of vB_PmeS_STP12 appeared to be devoid of tRNAs, integrase gene, toxins genes, virulence factors, antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and CRISPR arrays. The blast analysis with phylogeny revealed that vB_PmeS_STP12 is genetically similar to Pseudomonas phage PMBT14, Pseudomonas phage Almagne and Serratia phage Serbin with a highest identity of 74.00%, 74.93% and 59.48% respectively. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, characterization, morphological analysis and genome-informatics indicated that vB_PmeS_STP12 is podovirus morphotype belonging to the class Caudoviticetes, family Zobellviridae which appeared to be devoid of integrase gene, ARGs, CRISPR arrays, virulence factors and toxins genes, exhibiting stability and infectivity at wide range of pH (4 to10) and temperature (-20 to 70 °C), thereby making vB_PmeS_STP12 suitable for phage therapy or biocontrol. Based on the bibliometric analysis and data availability with respect to sequences deposited in GenBank, this is the first report of a phage infecting Pseudomonas mendocina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sani Sharif Usman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi G.T. Road, Phagwara, Punjab, 144401, India
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Federal University of Kashere, P.M.B. 0182, Gombe, Nigeria
| | - Evangeline Christina
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi G.T. Road, Phagwara, Punjab, 144401, India.
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Skowron PM, Łubkowska B, Sobolewski I, Zylicz-Stachula A, Šimoliūnienė M, Šimoliūnas E. Bacteriophages of Thermophilic ' Bacillus Group' Bacteria-A Systematic Review, 2023 Update. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3125. [PMID: 38542099 PMCID: PMC10969951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages associated with thermophiles are gaining increased attention due to their pivotal roles in various biogeochemical and ecological processes, as well as their applications in biotechnology and bionanotechnology. Although thermophages are not suitable for controlling bacterial infections in humans or animals, their individual components, such as enzymes and capsid proteins, can be employed in molecular biology and significantly contribute to the enhancement of human and animal health. Despite their significance, thermophages still remain underrepresented in the known prokaryotic virosphere, primarily due to limited in-depth investigations. However, due to their unique properties, thermophages are currently attracting increasing interest, as evidenced by several newly discovered phages belonging to this group. This review offers an updated compilation of thermophages characterized to date, focusing on species infecting the thermophilic bacilli. Moreover, it presents experimental findings, including novel proteomic data (39 proteins) concerning the model TP-84 bacteriophage, along with the first announcement of 6 recently discovered thermophages infecting Geobacillus thermodenitrificans: PK5.2, PK2.1, NIIg10.1, NIIg2.1, NIIg2.2, and NIIg2.3. This review serves as an update to our previous publication in 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr M. Skowron
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (I.S.); (A.Z.-S.)
| | - Beata Łubkowska
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, K. Gorskiego 1, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland;
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ireneusz Sobolewski
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (I.S.); (A.Z.-S.)
| | - Agnieszka Zylicz-Stachula
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (I.S.); (A.Z.-S.)
| | - Monika Šimoliūnienė
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio Av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania; (M.Š.); (E.Š.)
| | - Eugenijus Šimoliūnas
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio Av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania; (M.Š.); (E.Š.)
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Bioscience, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio Av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
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Tarakanov RI, Evseev PV, Vo HTN, Troshin KS, Gutnik DI, Ignatov AN, Toshchakov SV, Miroshnikov KA, Jafarov IH, Dzhalilov FSU. Xanthomonas Phage PBR31: Classifying the Unclassifiable. Viruses 2024; 16:406. [PMID: 38543771 PMCID: PMC10975493 DOI: 10.3390/v16030406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability of bacteriophages to destroy bacteria has made them the subject of extensive research. Interest in bacteriophages has recently increased due to the spread of drug-resistant bacteria, although genomic research has not kept pace with the growth of genomic data. Genomic analysis and, especially, the taxonomic description of bacteriophages are often difficult due to the peculiarities of the evolution of bacteriophages, which often includes the horizontal transfer of genes and genomic modules. The latter is particularly pronounced for temperate bacteriophages, which are capable of integration into the bacterial chromosome. Xanthomonas phage PBR31 is a temperate bacteriophage, which has been neither described nor classified previously, that infects the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. Genomic analysis, including phylogenetic studies, indicated the separation of phage PBR31 from known classified bacteriophages, as well as its distant relationship with other temperate bacteriophages, including the Lederbervirus group. Bioinformatic analysis of proteins revealed distinctive features of PBR31, including the presence of a protein similar to the small subunit of D-family DNA polymerase and advanced lysis machinery. Taxonomic analysis showed the possibility of assigning phage PBR31 to a new taxon, although the complete taxonomic description of Xanthomonas phage PBR31 and other related bacteriophages is complicated by the complex evolutionary history of the formation of its genome. The general biological features of the PBR31 phage were analysed for the first time. Due to its presumably temperate lifestyle, there is doubt as to whether the PBR31 phage is appropriate for phage control purposes. Bioinformatics analysis, however, revealed the presence of cell wall-degrading enzymes that can be utilised for the treatment of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashit I. Tarakanov
- Department of Plant Protection, Russian State Agrarian University-Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Timiryazevskaya Str. 49, 127434 Moscow, Russia; (R.I.T.); (K.S.T.)
| | - Peter V. Evseev
- Department of Plant Protection, Russian State Agrarian University-Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Timiryazevskaya Str. 49, 127434 Moscow, Russia; (R.I.T.); (K.S.T.)
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovityanova 1, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ha T. N. Vo
- Faculty of Agronomy, Nong Lam University, Quarter 6, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City 721400, Vietnam
| | - Konstantin S. Troshin
- Department of Plant Protection, Russian State Agrarian University-Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Timiryazevskaya Str. 49, 127434 Moscow, Russia; (R.I.T.); (K.S.T.)
| | - Daria I. Gutnik
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 664033 Irkutsk, Russia;
| | - Aleksandr N. Ignatov
- Agrobiotechnology Department, Agrarian and Technological Institute, RUDN University, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Stepan V. Toshchakov
- Center for Genome Research, National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq., 1, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin A. Miroshnikov
- Department of Plant Protection, Russian State Agrarian University-Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Timiryazevskaya Str. 49, 127434 Moscow, Russia; (R.I.T.); (K.S.T.)
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ibrahim H. Jafarov
- Azerbaijan Scientific Research Institute for Plant Protection and Industrial Crops, AZ 4200 Ganja, Azerbaijan
| | - Fevzi S.-U. Dzhalilov
- Department of Plant Protection, Russian State Agrarian University-Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Timiryazevskaya Str. 49, 127434 Moscow, Russia; (R.I.T.); (K.S.T.)
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Holtappels D, Abelson SA, Nouth SC, Rickus GEJ, Amare SZ, Giller JP, Jian DZ, Koskella B. Genomic characterization of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae from Callery pear and the efficiency of associated phages in disease protection. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0283323. [PMID: 38323825 PMCID: PMC10913373 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02833-23] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The Pseudomonas syringae species complex is a heterogeneous group of plant pathogenic bacteria associated with a wide distribution of plant species. Advances in genomics are revealing the complex evolutionary history of this species complex and the wide array of genetic adaptations underpinning their diverse lifestyles. Here, we genomically characterize two P. syringae isolates collected from diseased Callery pears (Pyrus calleryana) in Berkeley, California in 2019 and 2022. We also isolated a lytic bacteriophage, which we characterized and evaluated for biocontrol efficiency. Using a multilocus sequence analysis and core genome alignment, we classified the P. syringae isolates as members of phylogroup 2, related to other strains previously isolated from Pyrus and Prunus. An analysis of effector proteins demonstrated an evolutionary conservation of effectoromes across isolates classified in PG2 and yet uncovered unique effector profiles for each, including the two newly identified isolates. Whole-genome sequencing of the associated phage uncovered a novel phage genus related to Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae phage PHB09 and the Flaumdravirus genus. Finally, using in planta infection assays, we demonstrate that the phage was equally useful in symptom mitigation of immature pear fruit regardless of the Pss strain tested. Overall, this study demonstrates the diversity of P. syringae and their viruses associated with ornamental pear trees, posing spill-over risks to commercial pear trees and the possibility of using phages as biocontrol agents to reduce the impact of disease.IMPORTANCEGlobal change exacerbates the spread and impact of pathogens, especially in agricultural settings. There is a clear need to better monitor the spread and diversity of plant pathogens, including in potential spillover hosts, and for the development of novel and sustainable control strategies. In this study, we characterize the first described strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae isolated from Callery pear in Berkeley, California from diseased tissues in an urban environment. We show that these strains have divergent virulence profiles from previously described strains and that they can cause disease in commercial pears. Additionally, we describe a novel bacteriophage that is associated with these strains and explore its potential to act as a biocontrol agent. Together, the data presented here demonstrate that ornamental pear trees harbor novel P. syringae pv. syringae isolates that potentially pose a risk to local fruit production, or vice versa-but also provide us with novel associated phages, effective in disease mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Holtappels
- Integrative Biology University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - S. A. Abelson
- Integrative Biology University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - S. C. Nouth
- Integrative Biology University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - G. E. J. Rickus
- Integrative Biology University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - S. Z. Amare
- Integrative Biology University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - J. P. Giller
- Integrative Biology University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - D. Z. Jian
- Integrative Biology University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - B. Koskella
- Integrative Biology University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
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