1
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Li Y, Huo Y, Liang L, Li D, Zhang Z, Yang H. Bacillus phage phi18-2 is a novel temperate virus with an unintegrated genome present in the cytoplasm of lysogenic cells as a linear phage-plasmid. Arch Virol 2024; 169:81. [PMID: 38519716 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-024-06014-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive bacterium that is widely used in fermentation and in the pharmaceutical industry. Phage contamination occasionally occurs in various fermentation processes and causes significant economic loss. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a temperate B. subtilis phage, termed phi18-2, from spore powder manufactured in a fermentation plant. Transmission electron microscopy showed that phi18-2 has a symmetrical polyhedral head and a long noncontractile tail. Receptor analysis showed that phi18-2 recognizes wall teichoic acid (WTA) for infection. The phage virions have a linear double-stranded DNA genome of 64,467 bp with identical direct repeat sequences of 309 bp at each end of the genome. In lysogenic cells, the phage genome was found to be present in the cytoplasm without integration into the host cell chromosome, and possibly as a linear phage-plasmid with unmodified ends. Our data may provide some insight into the molecular basis of the unique lysogenic cycle of phage phi18-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Yansheng Huo
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Li Liang
- Shandong Vland Biotech Co., Ltd., Shandong, 251700, China
| | - Donghang Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Hongjiang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China.
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2
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Alcorlo M, Luque-Ortega JR, Gago F, Ortega A, Castellanos M, Chacón P, de Vega M, Blanco L, Hermoso J, Serrano M, Rivas G, Hermoso J. Flexible structural arrangement and DNA-binding properties of protein p6 from Bacillus subtillis phage φ29. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:2045-2065. [PMID: 38281216 PMCID: PMC10899789 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The genome-organizing protein p6 of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage φ29 plays an essential role in viral development by activating the initiation of DNA replication and participating in the early-to-late transcriptional switch. These activities require the formation of a nucleoprotein complex in which the DNA adopts a right-handed superhelix wrapping around a multimeric p6 scaffold, restraining positive supercoiling and compacting the viral genome. Due to the absence of homologous structures, prior attempts to unveil p6's structural architecture failed. Here, we employed AlphaFold2 to engineer rational p6 constructs yielding crystals for three-dimensional structure determination. Our findings reveal a novel fold adopted by p6 that sheds light on its self-association mechanism and its interaction with DNA. By means of protein-DNA docking and molecular dynamic simulations, we have generated a comprehensive structural model for the nucleoprotein complex that consistently aligns with its established biochemical and thermodynamic parameters. Besides, through analytical ultracentrifugation, we have confirmed the hydrodynamic properties of the nucleocomplex, further validating in solution our proposed model. Importantly, the disclosed structure not only provides a highly accurate explanation for previously experimental data accumulated over decades, but also enhances our holistic understanding of the structural and functional attributes of protein p6 during φ29 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martín Alcorlo
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, Institute of Physical-Chemistry “Blas Cabrera”, CSIC, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Román Luque-Ortega
- Molecular Interactions Facility, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas “Margarita Salas”, CSIC, 28040Madrid, Spain
| | - Federico Gago
- Departamento de Farmacología and CSIC-IQM Associate Unit, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28871Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Ortega
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ‘B’ and Immunology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Murcia, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum, Murcia, Spain
| | - Milagros Castellanos
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA Nanociencia), Nanotechnology for Health-Care, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Chacón
- Department of Biological Physical-Chemistry, Institute of Physical-Chemistry “Blas Cabrera”, CSIC, 28006Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel de Vega
- Genome maintenance and instability, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, 28049Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Blanco
- Genome maintenance and instability, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, 28049Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Hermoso
- Genome maintenance and instability, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, 28049Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Serrano
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Cambridge Institute of Science, Altos Labs, Cambridge, UK
| | - Germán Rivas
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas “Margarita Salas”, CSIC, 28040Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan A Hermoso
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, Institute of Physical-Chemistry “Blas Cabrera”, CSIC, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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3
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Yirmiya E, Leavitt A, Lu A, Ragucci AE, Avraham C, Osterman I, Garb J, Antine SP, Mooney SE, Hobbs SJ, Kranzusch PJ, Amitai G, Sorek R. Phages overcome bacterial immunity via diverse anti-defence proteins. Nature 2024; 625:352-359. [PMID: 37992756 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06869-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
It was recently shown that bacteria use, apart from CRISPR-Cas and restriction systems, a considerable diversity of phage resistance systems1-4, but it is largely unknown how phages cope with this multilayered bacterial immunity. Here we analysed groups of closely related Bacillus phages that showed differential sensitivity to bacterial defence systems, and discovered four distinct families of anti-defence proteins that inhibit the Gabija, Thoeris and Hachiman systems. We show that these proteins Gad1, Gad2, Tad2 and Had1 efficiently cancel the defensive activity when co-expressed with the respective defence system or introduced into phage genomes. Homologues of these anti-defence proteins are found in hundreds of phages that infect taxonomically diverse bacterial species. We show that the anti-Gabija protein Gad1 blocks the ability of the Gabija defence complex to cleave phage-derived DNA. Our data further reveal that the anti-Thoeris protein Tad2 is a 'sponge' that sequesters the immune signalling molecules produced by Thoeris TIR-domain proteins in response to phage infection. Our results demonstrate that phages encode an arsenal of anti-defence proteins that can disable a variety of bacterial defence mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erez Yirmiya
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Azita Leavitt
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Allen Lu
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adelyn E Ragucci
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carmel Avraham
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ilya Osterman
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jeremy Garb
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sadie P Antine
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah E Mooney
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samuel J Hobbs
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Philip J Kranzusch
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gil Amitai
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Rotem Sorek
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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4
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Loney RE, Delesalle VA, Chaudry BE, Czerpak M, Guffey AA, Goubet-McCall L, McCarty M, Strine MS, Tanke NT, Vill AC, Krukonis GP. A Novel Subcluster of Closely Related Bacillus Phages with Distinct Tail Fiber/Lysin Gene Combinations. Viruses 2023; 15:2267. [PMID: 38005943 PMCID: PMC10674732 DOI: 10.3390/v15112267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) are the most numerous entities on Earth, but we have only scratched the surface of describing phage diversity. We isolated seven Bacillus subtilis phages from desert soil in the southwest United States and then sequenced and characterized their genomes. Comparative analyses revealed high nucleotide and amino acid similarity between these seven phages, which constitute a novel subcluster. Interestingly, the tail fiber and lysin genes of these phages seem to come from different origins and carry out slightly different functions. These genes were likely acquired by this subcluster of phages via horizontal gene transfer. In conjunction with host range assays, our data suggest that these phages are adapting to hosts with different cell walls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E. Loney
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Véronique A. Delesalle
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, 300 N Washington St., Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA; (M.C.); (M.M.)
| | | | - Megan Czerpak
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, 300 N Washington St., Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA; (M.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Alexandra A. Guffey
- Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC. 200 Tournament Dr., Horsham, PA 19044, USA;
| | - Leo Goubet-McCall
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Huck Life Sciences Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
| | - Michael McCarty
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, 300 N Washington St., Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA; (M.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Madison S. Strine
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
| | - Natalie T. Tanke
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Albert C. Vill
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
| | - Greg P. Krukonis
- Department of Biology, Angelo State University, Cavness Science Building 101, ASU Station #10890, San Angelo, TX 76909, USA;
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5
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Yuan X, Zhu Z, Huang Z, Yu S, Jin H, Chen B, Yu S, Xue L, Chen M, Zhang J, Wang J, Wu Q, Ding Y. Engineered lytic phage of Bacillus cereus and its application in milk. Int J Food Microbiol 2023; 405:110339. [PMID: 37517118 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Phages have been approved for use in the food industry to control bacterial contamination in some countries. However, their broader adoption is hindered by some limitations. For instance, the persistence of infectious phages in the food industry can lead to the emergence of resistant bacteria, which negatively impacts the long-term effectiveness of phages. Additionally, the narrow host range of phages limits their effectiveness against various strains. To address these deficiencies, phage engineering has been proposed as a rational approach for modifying phages. In this study, we developed a simple and efficient engineering method for Bacillus cereus phage, using DK1 as an example, to reduce the number of residual phages and expand its range of hosts. Specifically, we knocked out the appendage gene, which codes for the receptor-binding protein, to produce phage progeny with structural defects in their appendages, resulting in the loss of infectivity after host elimination. Furthermore, we used plasmid-mediated means to express different appendage proteins during phage preparation, which allowed altering the host spectrum of the engineered phages without gene insertion. In practical applications, our engineered phages effectively reduced the number of B. cereus in milk and prevented the amplification of active progeny. Our strategy transformed phages from active viruses into more controllable antibacterial agents, making them safer and more efficient for the prevention and control of B. cereus. Moreover, we believe this strategy will help drive the use of engineered phages in the food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Yuan
- Department of Food Science & Engineering, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Zhenjun Zhu
- Department of Food Science & Engineering, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zhichao Huang
- Department of Food Science & Engineering, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Shan Yu
- Department of Food Science & Engineering, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Department of Food Science & Engineering, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Food Science & Engineering, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Shubo Yu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Liang Xue
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Moutong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Jumei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Juan Wang
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Qingping Wu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Yu Ding
- Department of Food Science & Engineering, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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6
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Tong A, Caudill EE, Jones AR, F. M. Passalacqua L, Abdelsayed MM. Characterization of a FourU RNA Thermometer in the 5' Untranslated Region of Autolysin Gene blyA in the Bacillus subtilis 168 Prophage SPβ. Biochemistry 2023; 62:2902-2907. [PMID: 37699513 PMCID: PMC10586365 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
RNA thermometers are noncoding RNA structures located in the 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) of genes that regulate gene expression through temperature-dependent conformational changes. The fourU class of RNA thermometers contains a specific motif in which four consecutive uracil nucleotides are predicted to base pair with the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence in a stem. We employed a bioinformatic search to discover a fourU RNA thermometer in the 5'-UTR of the blyA gene of the Bacillus subtilis phage SPβc2, a bacteriophage that infects B. subtilis 168. blyA encodes an autolysin enzyme, N-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine amidase, which is involved in the lytic life cycle of the SPβ prophage. We have biochemically validated the predicted RNA thermometer in the 5'-UTR of the blyA gene. Our study suggests that RNA thermometers may play an underappreciated yet critical role in the lytic life cycle of bacteriophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina
Y. Tong
- Department
of Biology, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California 91360, United States
| | - Emma E. Caudill
- Department
of Biology, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California 91360, United States
| | - Alexis R. Jones
- Department
of Biology, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California 91360, United States
| | - Luiz F. M. Passalacqua
- Laboratory
of Nucleic Acids, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Michael M. Abdelsayed
- Department
of Biology, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California 91360, United States
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7
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Kohm K, Jalomo-Khayrova E, Krüger A, Basu S, Steinchen W, Bange G, Frunzke J, Hertel R, Commichau F, Czech L. Structural and functional characterization of MrpR, the master repressor of the Bacillus subtilis prophage SPβ. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:9452-9474. [PMID: 37602373 PMCID: PMC10516654 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Prophages control their lifestyle to either be maintained within the host genome or enter the lytic cycle. Bacillus subtilis contains the SPβ prophage whose lysogenic state depends on the MrpR (YopR) protein, a key component of the lysis-lysogeny decision system. Using a historic B. subtilis strain harboring the heat-sensitive SPβ c2 mutant, we demonstrate that the lytic cycle of SPβ c2 can be induced by heat due to a single nucleotide exchange in the mrpR gene, rendering the encoded MrpRG136E protein temperature-sensitive. Structural characterization revealed that MrpR is a DNA-binding protein resembling the overall fold of tyrosine recombinases. MrpR has lost its recombinase function and the G136E exchange impairs its higher-order structure and DNA binding activity. Genome-wide profiling of MrpR binding revealed its association with the previously identified SPbeta repeated element (SPBRE) in the SPβ genome. MrpR functions as a master repressor of SPβ that binds to this conserved element to maintain lysogeny. The heat-inducible excision of the SPβ c2 mutant remains reliant on the serine recombinase SprA. A suppressor mutant analysis identified a previously unknown component of the lysis-lysogeny management system that is crucial for the induction of the lytic cycle of SPβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Kohm
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
- FG Molecular Microbiology, Institute for Biology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Jalomo-Khayrova
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Chemistry, Phillips-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Aileen Krüger
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, iBG-1: Biotechnology, FZ Jülich, Germany
| | - Syamantak Basu
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Wieland Steinchen
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Chemistry, Phillips-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gert Bange
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Chemistry, Phillips-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Max-Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Julia Frunzke
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, iBG-1: Biotechnology, FZ Jülich, Germany
| | - Robert Hertel
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Fabian M Commichau
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
- FG Molecular Microbiology, Institute for Biology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Laura Czech
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Department of Chemistry, Phillips-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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8
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Yang Y, Hu Z, Kang Y, Gao J, Chen H, Liu H, Wang Y, Liu B. Phage SPO1 Protein Gp49 Is a Novel RNA Binding Protein That Is Involved in Host Iron Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14318. [PMID: 37762620 PMCID: PMC10531801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis is a model organism for studying Gram-positive bacteria and serves as a cell factory in the industry for enzyme and chemical production. Additionally, it functions as a probiotic in the gastrointestinal tract, modulating the gut microbiota. Its lytic phage SPO1 is also the most studied phage among the genus Okubovrius, including Bacillus phage SPO1 and Camphawk. One of the notable features of SPO1 is the existence of a "host-takeover module", a cluster of 24 genes which occupies most of the terminal redundancy. Some of the gene products from the module have been characterized, revealing their ability to disrupt host metabolism by inhibiting DNA replication, RNA transcription, cell division, and glycolysis. However, many of the gene products which share limited similarity to known proteins remain under researched. In this study, we highlight the involvement of Gp49, a gene product from the module, in host RNA binding and heme metabolism-no observation has been reported in other phages. Gp49 folds into a structure that does not resemble any protein in the database and has a new putative RNA binding motif. The transcriptome study reveals that Gp49 primarily upregulates host heme synthesis which captures cytosolic iron to facilitate phage development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Yang
- BioBank, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Yanta District, Xi’an 710061, China; (Y.Y.); (Z.H.); (Y.K.); (J.G.); (H.C.); (H.L.)
- Centre for Biobank and Advanced Medical Research of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Zhenyue Hu
- BioBank, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Yanta District, Xi’an 710061, China; (Y.Y.); (Z.H.); (Y.K.); (J.G.); (H.C.); (H.L.)
- Centre for Biobank and Advanced Medical Research of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Yue Kang
- BioBank, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Yanta District, Xi’an 710061, China; (Y.Y.); (Z.H.); (Y.K.); (J.G.); (H.C.); (H.L.)
- Centre for Biobank and Advanced Medical Research of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Juanjuan Gao
- BioBank, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Yanta District, Xi’an 710061, China; (Y.Y.); (Z.H.); (Y.K.); (J.G.); (H.C.); (H.L.)
- Centre for Biobank and Advanced Medical Research of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Huan Chen
- BioBank, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Yanta District, Xi’an 710061, China; (Y.Y.); (Z.H.); (Y.K.); (J.G.); (H.C.); (H.L.)
- Centre for Biobank and Advanced Medical Research of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Hui Liu
- BioBank, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Yanta District, Xi’an 710061, China; (Y.Y.); (Z.H.); (Y.K.); (J.G.); (H.C.); (H.L.)
- Centre for Biobank and Advanced Medical Research of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Yawen Wang
- BioBank, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Yanta District, Xi’an 710061, China; (Y.Y.); (Z.H.); (Y.K.); (J.G.); (H.C.); (H.L.)
- Centre for Biobank and Advanced Medical Research of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Bing Liu
- BioBank, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Yanta District, Xi’an 710061, China; (Y.Y.); (Z.H.); (Y.K.); (J.G.); (H.C.); (H.L.)
- Centre for Biobank and Advanced Medical Research of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
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9
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Delesalle VA, Tomko BE, Vill AC, Lichty KB, Krukonis GP. Forty Years without Family: Three Novel Bacteriophages with High Similarity to SPP1 Reveal Decades of Evolutionary Stasis since the Isolation of Their Famous Relative. Viruses 2022; 14:2106. [PMID: 36298661 PMCID: PMC9607348 DOI: 10.3390/v14102106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
SPP1, an extensively studied bacteriophage of the Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis, is a model system for the study of phage-host interactions. Despite progress in the isolation and characterization of Bacillus phages, no previously fully sequenced phages have shared more than passing genetic similarity to SPP1. Here, we describe three virulent phages very similar to SPP1; SPP1 has greater than 80% nucleotide sequence identity and shares more that 85% of its protein coding genes with these phages. This is remarkable, given more than 40 years between the isolation of SPP1 and these phages. All three phages have somewhat larger genomes and more genes than SPP1. We identified a new putative gene in SPP1 based on a conserved sequence found in all phages. Gene conservation connotes purifying selection and is observed in structural genes and genes involved in DNA metabolism, but also in genes of unknown function, suggesting an important role in phage survival independent of the environment. Patterns of divergence point to genes or gene domains likely involved in adaptation to diverse hosts or different environments. Ultimately, comparative genomics of related phages provides insight into the long-term selective pressures that affect phage-bacteria interactions and alter phage genome content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronique A. Delesalle
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, 300 N Washington St., Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA
| | - Brianne E. Tomko
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, 300 N Washington St., Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA
| | - Albert C. Vill
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, 300 N Washington St., Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, 526 Campus Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Katherine B. Lichty
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, 300 N Washington St., Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Wolf Hall, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Greg P. Krukonis
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, 300 N Washington St., Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA
- Department of Biology, Angelo State University, Cavness Science Building 101, ASU Station #10890, San Angelo, TX 76909, USA
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10
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Gallego Del Sol F, Quiles-Puchalt N, Brady A, Penadés JR, Marina A. Insights into the mechanism of action of the arbitrium communication system in SPbeta phages. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3627. [PMID: 35750663 PMCID: PMC9232636 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31144-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The arbitrium system is employed by phages of the SPbeta family to communicate with their progeny during infection to decide either to follow the lytic or the lysogenic cycle. The system is controlled by a peptide, AimP, that binds to the regulator AimR, inhibiting its DNA-binding activity and expression of aimX. Although the structure of AimR has been elucidated for phages SPβ and phi3T, there is still controversy regarding the molecular mechanism of AimR function, with two different proposed models for SPβ. In this study, we deepen our understanding of the system by solving the structure of an additional AimR that shows chimerical characteristics with the SPβ receptor. The crystal structures of this AimR (apo, AimP-bound and DNA-bound) together with in vitro and in vivo analyses confirm a mechanism of action by AimP-induced conformational restriction, shedding light on peptide specificity and cross regulation with relevant biological implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Gallego Del Sol
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV), CSIC and CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
| | - Nuria Quiles-Puchalt
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Aisling Brady
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - José R Penadés
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Alberto Marina
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV), CSIC and CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain.
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11
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Kohm K, Basu S, Nawaz MM, Hertel R. Chances and limitations when uncovering essential and non-essential genes of Bacillus subtilis phages with CRISPR-Cas9. Environ Microbiol Rep 2021; 13:934-944. [PMID: 34465000 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Virulent bacterial viruses, also known as phages or bacteriophages, are considered as a potential option to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, their biology is still poorly understood, and only a fraction of phage genes is assigned with a function. To enable the first classification, we explored new options to test phage genes for their requirement on viral replication. As a model, we used the smallest known Bacillus subtilis phage Goe1, and the Cas9-based mutagenesis vector pRH030 as a genetic tool. All phage genes were specifically disrupted, and individual survival rates and mutant genotypes were investigated. Surviving phages relied on the genome integrity through host intrinsic non-homologues end joining system or a natural alteration of the Cas9 target sequence. Quantification of phage survivors and verifying the underlying genetic situation enables the classification of genes in essential or non-essential sets for viral replication. We also observed structural genes to hold more natural mutations than genes of the genome replication machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Kohm
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, 01968, Germany
- Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, 37077, Germany
| | - Syamantak Basu
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, 01968, Germany
| | - Muhammad M Nawaz
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, 01968, Germany
| | - Robert Hertel
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, 01968, Germany
- Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, 37077, Germany
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12
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Stanton CR, Rice DTF, Beer M, Batinovic S, Petrovski S. Isolation and Characterisation of the Bundooravirus Genus and Phylogenetic Investigation of the Salasmaviridae Bacteriophages. Viruses 2021; 13:1557. [PMID: 34452423 PMCID: PMC8402886 DOI: 10.3390/v13081557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus is a highly diverse genus containing over 200 species that can be problematic in both industrial and medical settings. This is mainly attributed to Bacillus sp. being intrinsically resistant to an array of antimicrobial compounds, hence alternative treatment options are needed. In this study, two bacteriophages, PumA1 and PumA2 were isolated and characterized. Genome nucleotide analysis identified the two phages as novel at the DNA sequence level but contained proteins similar to phi29 and other related phages. Whole genome phylogenetic investigation of 34 phi29-like phages resulted in the formation of seven clusters that aligned with recent ICTV classifications. PumA1 and PumA2 share high genetic mosaicism and form a genus with another phage named WhyPhy, more recently isolated from the United States of America. The three phages within this cluster are the only candidates to infect B. pumilus. Sequence analysis of B. pumilus phage resistant mutants revealed that PumA1 and PumA2 require polymerized and peptidoglycan bound wall teichoic acid (WTA) for their infection. Bacteriophage classification is continuously evolving with the increasing phages' sequences in public databases. Understanding phage evolution by utilizing a combination of phylogenetic approaches provides invaluable information as phages become legitimate alternatives in both human health and industrial processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra R. Stanton
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (C.R.S.); (D.T.F.R.); (S.B.)
| | - Daniel T. F. Rice
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (C.R.S.); (D.T.F.R.); (S.B.)
| | - Michael Beer
- Department of Defence Science and Technology, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia;
| | - Steven Batinovic
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (C.R.S.); (D.T.F.R.); (S.B.)
| | - Steve Petrovski
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (C.R.S.); (D.T.F.R.); (S.B.)
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13
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Abstract
Phages are viruses of bacteria and are the smallest and most common biological entities in the environment. They can reproduce immediately after infection or integrate as a prophage into their host genome. SPβ is a prophage of the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis 168, and it has been known for more than 50 years. It is sensitive to dsDNA damage and is induced through exposure to mitomycin C or UV radiation. When induced from the prophage, SPβ requires 90 min to produce and release about 30 virions. Genomes of sequenced related strains range between 128 and 140 kb, and particle-packed dsDNA exhibits terminal redundancy. Formed particles are of the Siphoviridae morphotype. Related isolates are known to infect other B. subtilis clade members. When infecting a new host, SPβ presumably follows a two-step strategy, adsorbing primarily to teichoic acid and secondarily to a yet unknown factor. Once in the host, SPβ-related phages pass through complex lysis-lysogeny decisions and either enter a lytic cycle or integrate as a dormant prophage. As prophages, SPβ-related phages integrate at the host chromosome's replication terminus, and frequently into the spsM or kamA gene. As a prophage, it imparts additional properties to its host via phage-encoded proteins. The most notable of these functional proteins is sublancin 168, which is used as a molecular weapon by the host and ensures prophage maintenance. In this review, we summarise the existing knowledge about the biology of the phage regarding its life cycle and discuss its potential as a research object.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Kohm
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, 01968, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Robert Hertel
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, 01968, Senftenberg, Germany.
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14
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Braun P, Rupprich N, Neif D, Grass G. Enzyme-Linked Phage Receptor Binding Protein Assays (ELPRA) Enable Identification of Bacillus anthracis Colonies. Viruses 2021; 13:1462. [PMID: 34452328 PMCID: PMC8402711 DOI: 10.3390/v13081462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage receptor binding proteins (RBPs) are employed by viruses to recognize specific surface structures on bacterial host cells. Recombinant RBPs have been utilized for detection of several pathogens, typically as fusions with reporter enzymes or fluorescent proteins. Identification of Bacillus anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax, can be difficult because of the bacterium's close relationship with other species of the Bacillus cereussensu lato group. Here, we facilitated the identification of B. anthracis using two implementations of enzyme-linked phage receptor binding protein assays (ELPRA). We developed a single-tube centrifugation assay simplifying the rapid analysis of suspect colonies. A second assay enables identification of suspect colonies from mixed overgrown solid (agar) media derived from the complex matrix soil. Thus, these tests identified vegetative cells of B. anthracis with little processing time and may support or confirm pathogen detection by molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gregor Grass
- Department of Bacteriology and Toxinology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology (IMB), 80937 Munich, Germany; (P.B.); (N.R.); (D.N.)
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15
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Kazantseva OA, Piligrimova EG, Shadrin AM. vB_BcM_Sam46 and vB_BcM_Sam112, members of a new bacteriophage genus with unusual small terminase structure. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12173. [PMID: 34108535 PMCID: PMC8190038 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91289-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the serious public health concerns is food contaminated with pathogens and their vital activity products such as toxins. Bacillus cereus group of bacteria includes well-known pathogenic species such as B. anthracis, B. cereus sensu stricto (ss), B. cytotoxicus and B. thuringiensis. In this report, we describe the Bacillus phages vB_BcM_Sam46 and vB_BcM_Sam112 infecting species of this group. Electron microscopic analyses indicated that phages Sam46 and Sam112 have the myovirus morphotype. The genomes of Sam46 and Sam112 comprise double-stranded DNA of 45,419 bp and 45,037 bp in length, respectively, and have the same GC-content. The genome identity of Sam46 and Sam112 is 96.0%, indicating that they belong to the same phage species. According to the phylogenetic analysis, these phages form a distinct clade and may be members of a new phage genus, for which we propose the name 'Samaravirus'. In addition, an interesting feature of the Sam46 and Sam112 phages is the unusual structure of their small terminase subunit containing N-terminal FtsK_gamma domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olesya A Kazantseva
- Laboratory of Bacteriophage Biology, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center, 142290, Pushchino, Russia.
| | - Emma G Piligrimova
- Laboratory of Bacteriophage Biology, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center, 142290, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Andrey M Shadrin
- Laboratory of Bacteriophage Biology, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center, 142290, Pushchino, Russia.
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16
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Turnau K, Fiałkowska E, Ważny R, Rozpądek P, Tylko G, Bloch S, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Grabski M, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Extraordinary Multi-Organismal Interactions Involving Bacteriophages, Bacteria, Fungi, and Rotifers: Quadruple Microbial Trophic Network in Water Droplets. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042178. [PMID: 33671687 PMCID: PMC7926626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Our observations of predatory fungi trapping rotifers in activated sludge and laboratory culture allowed us to discover a complicated trophic network that includes predatory fungi armed with bacteria and bacteriophages and the rotifers they prey on. Such a network seems to be common in various habitats, although it remains mostly unknown due to its microscopic size. In this study, we isolated and identified fungi and bacteria from activated sludge. We also noticed abundant, virus-like particles in the environment. The fungus developed absorptive hyphae within the prey. The bacteria showed the ability to enter and exit from the hyphae (e.g., from the traps into the caught prey). Our observations indicate that the bacteria and the fungus share nutrients obtained from the rotifer. To narrow the range of bacterial strains isolated from the mycelium, the effects of bacteria supernatants and lysed bacteria were studied. Bacteria isolated from the fungus were capable of immobilizing the rotifer. The strongest negative effect on rotifer mobility was shown by a mixture of Bacillus sp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The involvement of bacteriophages in rotifer hunting was demonstrated based on molecular analyses and was discussed. The described case seems to be an extraordinary quadruple microbiological puzzle that has not been described and is still far from being understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Turnau
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-506-006-642
| | - Edyta Fiałkowska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Rafał Ważny
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (R.W.); (P.R.)
| | - Piotr Rozpądek
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (R.W.); (P.R.)
| | - Grzegorz Tylko
- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Sylwia Bloch
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (S.B.); (A.W.)
| | - Bożena Nejman-Faleńczyk
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (B.N.-F.); (M.G.); (G.W.)
| | - Michał Grabski
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (B.N.-F.); (M.G.); (G.W.)
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (S.B.); (A.W.)
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (B.N.-F.); (M.G.); (G.W.)
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17
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Bhambhani A, Iadicicco I, Lee J, Ahmed S, Belfatto M, Held D, Marconi A, Parks A, Stewart CR, Margolin W, Levin PA, Haeusser DP. Bacteriophage SP01 Gene Product 56 Inhibits Bacillus subtilis Cell Division by Interacting with FtsL and Disrupting Pbp2B and FtsW Recruitment. J Bacteriol 2020; 203:e00463-20. [PMID: 33077634 PMCID: PMC7950406 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00463-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous work identified gene product 56 (gp56), encoded by the lytic bacteriophage SP01, as being responsible for inhibition of Bacillus subtilis cell division during its infection. Assembly of the essential tubulin-like protein FtsZ into a ring-shaped structure at the nascent site of cytokinesis determines the timing and position of division in most bacteria. This FtsZ ring serves as a scaffold for recruitment of other proteins into a mature division-competent structure permitting membrane constriction and septal cell wall synthesis. Here, we show that expression of the predicted 9.3-kDa gp56 of SP01 inhibits later stages of B. subtilis cell division without altering FtsZ ring assembly. Green fluorescent protein-tagged gp56 localizes to the membrane at the site of division. While its localization does not interfere with recruitment of early division proteins, gp56 interferes with the recruitment of late division proteins, including Pbp2b and FtsW. Imaging of cells with specific division components deleted or depleted and two-hybrid analyses suggest that gp56 localization and activity depend on its interaction with FtsL. Together, these data support a model in which gp56 interacts with a central part of the division machinery to disrupt late recruitment of the division proteins involved in septal cell wall synthesis.IMPORTANCE Studies over the past decades have identified bacteriophage-encoded factors that interfere with host cell shape or cytokinesis during viral infection. The phage factors causing cell filamentation that have been investigated to date all act by targeting FtsZ, the conserved prokaryotic tubulin homolog that composes the cytokinetic ring in most bacteria and some groups of archaea. However, the mechanisms of several phage factors that inhibit cytokinesis, including gp56 of bacteriophage SP01 of Bacillus subtilis, remain unexplored. Here, we show that, unlike other published examples of phage inhibition of cytokinesis, gp56 blocks B. subtilis cell division without targeting FtsZ. Rather, it utilizes the assembled FtsZ cytokinetic ring to localize to the division machinery and to block recruitment of proteins needed for septal cell wall synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Bhambhani
- Biology Department, Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | | | - Jules Lee
- Biology Department, Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Syed Ahmed
- Biology Department, Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Max Belfatto
- Biology Department, Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - David Held
- Biology Department, Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Alexia Marconi
- Biology Department, Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Aaron Parks
- Biology Department, Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | | | - William Margolin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Petra Anne Levin
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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18
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Otte K, Kühne NM, Furrer AD, Baena Lozada LP, Lutz VT, Schilling T, Hertel R. A CRISPR-Cas9 tool to explore the genetics of Bacillus subtilis phages. Lett Appl Microbiol 2020; 71:588-595. [PMID: 32615024 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Here, we present pRH030, a new CRISPR-Cas9 tool for the genetic engineering of Bacillus phages and beyond. It is based on the Streptococcus pyogenes cas9 with its native constitutive promoter, tracrRNA, and a gRNA precursor. The constitutive expression of Cas9 was conducive to the inactivation of viral attackers and enhanced phage mutagenesis efficiency up to 100%. The gRNA precursor can be built up to an artificial CRISPR array with up to 5 spacers (target sequences) assembled from ordinary oligonucleotides and directly cloned into pRH030. Required time and resources remain comparable to a single gRNA cloning. These properties make pRH030 an attractive new system for the modification of Bacillus phages and qualify it for research beyond genetic construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Otte
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - N M Kühne
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - A D Furrer
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - L P Baena Lozada
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - V T Lutz
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - T Schilling
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - R Hertel
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
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19
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Abstract
Double-stranded DNA is under extreme confinement when packed in phage phi29 with osmotic pressures approaching 60 atm and densities near liquid crystalline. The shape of the capsid determined from experiment is elongated. We consider the effects of the capsid shape and volume on the DNA distribution. We propose simple models for the capsid of phage phi29 to capture volume, shape, and wall flexibility, leading to an accurate DNA density profile. The effect of the packaging motor twisting the DNA on the resulting density distribution has been explored. We find packing motor induced twisting leads to a greater numbers of defects formed. The emergence of defects such as bubbles or large roll angles along the DNA shows a sequence dependence, and the resulting flexibility leads to an inhomogeneous distribution of defects occurring more often at TpA steps and AT-rich regions. In conjunction with capsid elongation, this has effects on the global DNA packing structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Bores
- University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Michael Woodson
- University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Marc C Morais
- University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - B Montgomery Pettitt
- University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
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20
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Mahler BP, Bujalowski PJ, Mao H, Dill EA, Jardine PJ, Choi K, Morais MC. NMR structure of a vestigial nuclease provides insight into the evolution of functional transitions in viral dsDNA packaging motors. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:11737-11749. [PMID: 33089330 PMCID: PMC7672431 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Double-stranded DNA viruses use ATP-powered molecular motors to package their genomic DNA. To ensure efficient genome encapsidation, these motors regulate functional transitions between initiation, translocation, and termination modes. Here, we report structural and biophysical analyses of the C-terminal domain of the bacteriophage phi29 ATPase (CTD) that suggest a structural basis for these functional transitions. Sedimentation experiments show that the inter-domain linker in the full-length protein promotes oligomerization and thus may play a role in assembly of the functional motor. The NMR solution structure of the CTD indicates it is a vestigial nuclease domain that likely evolved from conserved nuclease domains in phage terminases. Despite the loss of nuclease activity, fluorescence binding assays confirm the CTD retains its DNA binding capabilities and fitting the CTD into cryoEM density of the phi29 motor shows that the CTD directly binds DNA. However, the interacting residues differ from those identified by NMR titration in solution, suggesting that packaging motors undergo conformational changes to transition between initiation, translocation, and termination. Taken together, these results provide insight into the evolution of functional transitions in viral dsDNA packaging motors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryon P Mahler
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Paul J Bujalowski
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Huzhang Mao
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Erik A Dill
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Paul J Jardine
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, and Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kyung H Choi
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Marc C Morais
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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21
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Valsangkar VA, Chandrasekaran AR, Zhuo L, Mao S, Lee GW, Kizer M, Wang X, Halvorsen K, Sheng J. Click and photo-release dual-functional nucleic acid nanostructures. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:9709-9712. [PMID: 31353371 PMCID: PMC6687541 DOI: 10.1039/c9cc03806j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We functionalize nucleic acid nanostructures with click chemistry (for attachment of cargos) and a photocleavable linker (for release). We demonstrate cargo attachment using a fluorescein dye and release using UV trigger from an RNA three-way junction, a DNA star motif and a DNA tetrahedron. Such multifunctional nucleic acid nanostructures have potential in targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibhav A Valsangkar
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA. and Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
| | | | - Lifeng Zhuo
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
| | - Song Mao
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA. and Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
| | - Goh Woon Lee
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA. and Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
| | - Megan Kizer
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Ken Halvorsen
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
| | - Jia Sheng
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA. and Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
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Piligrimova EG, Kazantseva OA, Nikulin NA, Shadrin AM. Bacillus Phage vB_BtS_B83 Previously Designated as a Plasmid May Represent a New Siphoviridae Genus. Viruses 2019; 11:v11070624. [PMID: 31284652 PMCID: PMC6669507 DOI: 10.3390/v11070624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bacillus cereus group of bacteria includes, inter alia, the species known to be associated with human diseases and food poisoning. Here, we describe the Bacillus phage vB_BtS_B83 (abbreviated as B83) infecting the species of this group. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs indicate that B83 belongs to the Siphoviridae family. B83 is a temperate phage using an arbitrium system for the regulation of the lysis–lysogeny switch, and is probably capable of forming a circular plasmid prophage. Comparative analysis shows that it has been previously sequenced, but was mistaken for a plasmid. B83 shares common genome organization and >46% of proteins with other the Bacillus phage, BMBtp14. Phylograms constructed using large terminase subunits and a pan-genome presence–absence matrix show that these phages form a clade distinct from the closest viruses. Based on the above, we propose the creation of a new genus named Bembunaquatrovirus that includes B83 and BMBtp14.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma G Piligrimova
- Laboratory of Bacteriophage Biology, Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, RAS, 142290 Pushchino, Russia.
- Department of Microbiology, Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Vyatka State University", 610000 Kirov, Russia.
| | - Olesya A Kazantseva
- Laboratory of Bacteriophage Biology, Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, RAS, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Nikita A Nikulin
- Laboratory of Bacteriophage Biology, Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, RAS, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- Department of Microbiology, Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Vyatka State University", 610000 Kirov, Russia
| | - Andrey M Shadrin
- Laboratory of Bacteriophage Biology, Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, RAS, 142290 Pushchino, Russia.
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23
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de la Torre I, Quiñones V, Salas M, del Prado A. Tyrosines involved in the activity of φ29 single-stranded DNA binding protein. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217248. [PMID: 31107918 PMCID: PMC6527236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome of Bacillus subtilis phage ϕ29 consists of a linear double-stranded DNA with a terminal protein (TP) covalently linked to each 5’ end (TP-DNA). ϕ29 DNA polymerase is the enzyme responsible for viral DNA replication, due to its distinctive properties: high processivity and strand displacement capacity, being able to replicate the entire genome without requiring the assistance of processivity or unwinding factors, unlike most replicases. ϕ29 single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) is encoded by the viral gene 5 and binds the ssDNA generated in the replication of the ϕ29 TP-DNA. It has been described to stimulate the DNA elongation rate during the DNA replication. Previous studies proposed residues Tyr50, Tyr57 and Tyr76 as ligands of ssDNA. The role of two of these residues has been determined in this work by site-directed mutagenesis. Our results showed that mutant derivative Y57A was unable to bind to ssDNA, to stimulate the DNA elongation and to displace oligonucleotides annealed to M13 ssDNA, whereas mutant Y50A behaved like the wild-type SSB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván de la Torre
- Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa,” (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Universidad Autónoma, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Victor Quiñones
- Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa,” (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Universidad Autónoma, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita Salas
- Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa,” (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Universidad Autónoma, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Alicia del Prado
- Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa,” (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Universidad Autónoma, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
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24
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Nordmann B, Schilling T, Hoppert M, Hertel R. Complete genome sequence of the virus isolate vB_BthM-Goe5 infecting Bacillus thuringiensis. Arch Virol 2019; 164:1485-1488. [PMID: 30848388 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-019-04187-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is non-pathogenic for humans and serves as a biological control agent in agriculture. Understanding its phages will help to prevent industrial production loss of Bt products and will lead to a better understanding of phages in general. The complete genome of the new B. thuringiensis phage isolate vB_BthM-Goe5 (Goe5) was sequenced, revealing a linear 157,804-bp-long dsDNA chromosome flanked by 2579-bp-long terminal repeats. It contains two tRNAs and 272 protein coding regions, 69 of which could be assigned with an annotation. Morphological investigation, using transmission electron microscopy, revealed Myoviridae morphology. The formation of a double baseplate upon tail sheath contraction indicates a link to the group of SPO1-related phages. Comparative genomics with all Bacillus-related viral genomes available in the NCBI genome database during this investigation indicated that Goe5 was a unique isolate, with Bacillus phage Bastille as its closest relative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birthe Nordmann
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Schilling
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Hoppert
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Robert Hertel
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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25
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Liu X, Wang D, Pan C, Feng E, Fan H, Li M, Zhu L, Tong Y, Wang H. Genome sequence of Bacillus anthracis typing phage AP631. Arch Virol 2019; 164:917-921. [PMID: 30666457 PMCID: PMC6394722 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-018-04135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AP631, a virulent bacteriophage of Bacillus anthracis, is widely used in China to identify anthrax bacteria. In this study, we report the complete AP631 phage genome sequence as well as comparative genomic analysis with other bacteriophages of B. cereus and related species. The double-stranded circular DNA genome of phage AP631 was 39,549 bp in length with 35.01% G + C content. The phage genome contained 56 putative protein-coding genes but no rRNA or tRNA genes. Comparative phylogenetic analysis of the phage major capsid proteins and terminase large subunits showed that phage AP631 belongs to the B. cereus sensu lato phage clade II. Comparative genomic analysis revealed a high degree of sequence similarity between phage AP631 and B. anthracis phages Wbeta, Gamma, Cherry, and Fah, as well as three AP631-specific genes bearing no significant similarity to those of other phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiankai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, 20 Dongdajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Dongshu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, 20 Dongdajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Chao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, 20 Dongdajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Erling Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, 20 Dongdajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Hang Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dongdajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Manli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dongdajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Li Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, 20 Dongdajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Yigang Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 Dongdajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China.
| | - Hengliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, 20 Dongdajie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China.
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26
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Yuan Y, Peng Q, Zhang S, Liu T, Yang S, Yu Q, Wu Y, Gao M. Phage Reduce Stability for Regaining Infectivity during Antagonistic Coevolution with Host Bacterium. Viruses 2019; 11:v11020118. [PMID: 30699954 PMCID: PMC6410104 DOI: 10.3390/v11020118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The coevolution between phage and host bacterium is an important force that drives the evolution of the microbial community, yet the coevolution mechanisms have still not been well analyzed. Here, by analyzing the interaction between a Bacillus phage vB_BthS_BMBphi and its host bacterium, the coevolution mechanisms of the first-generation phage-resistant bacterial mutants and regained-infectivity phage mutants were studied. The phage-resistant bacterial mutants showed several conserved mutations as a potential reason for acquiring phage resistance, including the mutation in flagellum synthesis protein FlhA and cell wall polysaccharide synthesis protein DltC. All the phage-resistant bacterial mutants showed a deleted first transmembrane domain of the flagellum synthesis protein FlhA. Meanwhile, the regain-infectivity phage mutants all contained mutations in three baseplate-associated phage tail proteins by one nucleotide, respectively. A polymorphism analysis of the three mutant nucleotides in the wild-type phage revealed that the mutations existed before the interaction of the phage and the bacterium, while the wild-type phage could not infect the phage-resistant bacterial mutants, which might be because the synchronized mutations of the three nucleotides were essential for regaining infectivity. This study for the first time revealed that the synergism mutation of three phage baseplate-associated proteins were essential for the phages’ regained infectivity. Although the phage mutants regained infectivity, their storage stability was decreased and the infectivity against the phage-resistant bacterial mutants was reduced, suggesting the phage realized the continuation of the species by way of “dying to survive”.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Qin Peng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China.
| | - Shaowen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Tingting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Shuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Qiuhan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Yan Wu
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Meiying Gao
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
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27
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Schilling T, Hoppert M, Hertel R. Genomic Analysis of the Recent Viral Isolate vB_BthP-Goe4 Reveals Increased Diversity of φ29-Like Phages. Viruses 2018; 10:E624. [PMID: 30428528 PMCID: PMC6266182 DOI: 10.3390/v10110624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We present the recently isolated virus vB_BthP-Goe4 infecting Bacillus thuringiensis HD1. Morphological investigation via transmission electron microscopy revealed key characteristics of the genus Phi29virus, but with an elongated head resulting in larger virion particles of approximately 50 nm width and 120 nm height. Genome sequencing and analysis resulted in a linear phage chromosome of approximately 26 kb, harbouring 40 protein-encoding genes and a packaging RNA. Sequence comparison confirmed the relation to the Phi29virus genus and genomes of other related strains. A global average nucleotide identity analysis of all identified φ29-like viruses revealed the formation of several new groups previously not observed. The largest group includes Goe4 and may significantly expand the genus Phi29virus (Salasvirus) or the Picovirinae subfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Schilling
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Michael Hoppert
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Robert Hertel
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
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28
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Gabiatti N, Yu P, Mathieu J, Lu GW, Wang X, Zhang H, Soares HM, Alvarez PJJ. Bacterial Endospores as Phage Genome Carriers and Protective Shells. Appl Environ Microbiol 2018; 84:e01186-18. [PMID: 30006404 PMCID: PMC6121981 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01186-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial endospores can serve as phage genome protection shells against various environmental stresses to enhance microbial control applications. The genomes of polyvalent lytic Bacillus phages PBSC1 and PBSC2, which infect both B. subtilis subsp. subtilis and B. cereus NRS 248, were incorporated into B. subtilis endospores (without integration into the host chromosome). When PBSC1 and PBSC2 were released from germinating endospores, they significantly inhibited the growth of the targeted opportunistic pathogen B. cereus Optimal endospore entrapment was achieved when phages were introduced to the fast-sporulating prespores at a multiplicity of infection of 1. Longer endospore maturation (48 h versus 24 h) increased both spore yield and efficiency of entrapment. Compared with free phages, spore-protected phage genomes showed significantly higher resistance toward high temperatures (60 to 80°C), extreme pH (pH 2 or pH 12), and copper ions (0.1 to 10 mg/liter). Endospore germination is inducible by low concentrations of l-alanine or by a germinant mixture (l-asparagine, d-glucose, d-fructose, and K+) to trigger the expression, assembly, and consequent release of phage particles within 60 to 90 min. Overall, the superior resiliency of polyvalent phages protected by endospores might enable nonrefrigerated phage storage and enhance phage applications after exposure to adverse environmental conditions.IMPORTANCE Bacteriophages are being considered for the control of multidrug-resistant and other problematic bacteria in environmental systems. However, the efficacy of phage-based microbial control is limited by infectivity loss during phage delivery and/or storage. Here, we exploit the pseudolysogenic state of phages, which involves incorporation of their genome into bacterial endospores (without integration into the host chromosome), to enhance survival in unfavorable environments. We isolated polyvalent (broad-host-range) phages that efficiently infect both benign and opportunistically pathogenic Bacillus strains and encapsulated the phage genomes in B. subtilis endospores to significantly improve resistance to various environmental stressors. Encapsulation by spores also significantly enhanced phage genome viability during storage. We also show that endospore germination can be induced on demand with nutrient germinants that trigger the release of active phages. Overall, we demonstrate that encapsulation of polyvalent phage genomes into benign endospores holds great promise for broadening the scope and efficacy of phage biocontrol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiana Gabiatti
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Pingfeng Yu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jacques Mathieu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Grant W Lu
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xifan Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hangjun Zhang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hugo M Soares
- Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Pedro J J Alvarez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
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29
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Ghosh K, Senevirathne A, Kang HS, Hyun WB, Kim JE, Kim KP. Complete Nucleotide Sequence Analysis of a Novel Bacillus subtilis-Infecting Bacteriophage BSP10 and Its Effect on Poly-Gamma-Glutamic Acid Degradation. Viruses 2018; 10:E240. [PMID: 29734701 PMCID: PMC5977233 DOI: 10.3390/v10050240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
While the harmful effects of lactic acid bacterial bacteriophages in the dairy industry are well-established, the importance of Bacillus subtilis-infecting bacteriophages on soybean fermentation is poorly-studied. In this study, we isolated a B. subtilis-infecting bacteriophage BSP10 from Meju (a brick of dried fermented soybean) and further characterized it. This Myoviridae family bacteriophage exhibited a narrow host range against B. subtilis strains (17/52, 32.7%). The genome of bacteriophage BSP10 is 153,767 bp long with 236 open reading frames and 5 tRNAs. Comparative genomics (using dot plot, progressiveMauve alignment, heat-plot, and BLASTN) and phylogenetic analysis strongly suggest its incorporation as a new species in the Nit1virus genus. Furthermore, bacteriophage BSP10 was efficient in the growth inhibition of B. subtilis ATCC 15245 in liquid culture and in Cheonggukjang (a soybean fermented food) fermentation. Artificial contamination of as low as 10² PFU/g of bacteriophage BSP10 during Cheonggukjang fermentation significantly reduced bacterial numbers by up to 112 fold in comparison to the control (no bacteriophage). Moreover, for the first time, we experimentally proved that B. subtilis-infecting bacteriophage greatly enhanced poly-γ-glutamic acid degradation during soybean fermentation, which is likely to negatively affect the functionalities of Cheonggukjang.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuntal Ghosh
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do 561-756, Korea.
| | - Amal Senevirathne
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do 561-756, Korea.
| | - Hai Seong Kang
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do 561-756, Korea.
| | - Woo Bin Hyun
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do 561-756, Korea.
| | - Ji Eun Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do 561-756, Korea.
| | - Kwang-Pyo Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do 561-756, Korea.
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30
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Schilling T, Dietrich S, Hoppert M, Hertel R. A CRISPR-Cas9-Based Toolkit for Fast and Precise In Vivo Genetic Engineering of Bacillus subtilis Phages. Viruses 2018; 10:v10050241. [PMID: 29734705 PMCID: PMC5977234 DOI: 10.3390/v10050241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phages are currently under discussion as a solution for the antibiotic crisis, as they may cure diseases caused by multi-drug-resistant pathogens. However, knowledge of phage biology and genetics is limited, which impedes risk assessment of therapeutic applications. In order to enable advances in phage genetic research, the aim of this work was to create a toolkit for simple and fast genetic engineering of phages recruiting Bacillus subtilis as host system. The model organism B. subtilis represents a non-pathogenic surrogate of its harmful relatives, such as Bacillus anthracis or Bacillus cereus. This toolkit comprises the application CutSPR, a bioinformatic tool for rapid primer design, and facilitates the cloning of specific CRISPR-Cas9-based mutagenesis plasmids. The employment of the prophage-free and super-competent B. subtilis TS01 strain enables an easy and fast introduction of specific constructs for in vivo phage mutagenesis. Clean gene deletions and a functional clean gene insertion into the genome of the model phage vB_BsuP-Goe1 served as proof of concept and demonstrate reliability and high efficiency. The here presented toolkit allows comprehensive investigation of the diverse phage genetic pool, a better understanding of phage biology, and safe phage applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Schilling
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Sascha Dietrich
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Michael Hoppert
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Robert Hertel
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
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van Nies P, Westerlaken I, Blanken D, Salas M, Mencía M, Danelon C. Self-replication of DNA by its encoded proteins in liposome-based synthetic cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1583. [PMID: 29679002 PMCID: PMC5910420 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03926-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Replication of DNA-encoded information and its conversion into functional proteins are universal properties of life. In an effort toward the construction of a synthetic minimal cell, we implement here the DNA replication machinery of the Φ29 virus in a cell-free gene expression system. Amplification of a linear DNA template by self-encoded, de novo synthesized Φ29 proteins is demonstrated. Complete information transfer is confirmed as the copied DNA can serve as a functional template for gene expression, which can be seen as an autocatalytic DNA replication cycle. These results show how the central dogma of molecular biology can be reconstituted and form a cycle in vitro. Finally, coupled DNA replication and gene expression is compartmentalized inside phospholipid vesicles providing the chassis for evolving functions in a prospective synthetic cell relying on the extant biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline van Nies
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, Delft, 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Ilja Westerlaken
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, Delft, 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Duco Blanken
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, Delft, 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Margarita Salas
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma, Canto Blanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Mario Mencía
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma, Canto Blanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Christophe Danelon
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, Delft, 2629 HZ, The Netherlands.
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Guo S, Piao X, Li H, Guo P. Methods for construction and characterization of simple or special multifunctional RNA nanoparticles based on the 3WJ of phi29 DNA packaging motor. Methods 2018. [PMID: 29530505 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of RNA nanotechnology has developed rapidly over the last decade, as more elaborate RNA nanoarchitectures and therapeutic RNA nanoparticles have been constructed, and their applications have been extensively explored. Now it is time to offer different levels of RNA construction methods for both the beginners and the experienced researchers or enterprisers. The first and second parts of this article will provide instructions on basic and simple methods for the assembly and characterization of RNA nanoparticles, mainly based on the pRNA three-way junction (pRNA-3WJ) of phi29 DNA packaging motor. The third part of this article will focus on specific methods for the construction of more sophisticated multivalent RNA nanoparticles for therapeutic applications. In these parts, some simple protocols are provided to facilitate the initiation of the RNA nanoparticle construction in labs new to the field of RNA nanotechnology. This article is intended to serve as a general reference aimed at both apprentices and senior scientists for their future design, construction and characterization of RNA nanoparticles based on the pRNA-3WJ of phi29 DNA packaging motor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijin Guo
- Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Xijun Piao
- Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Peixuan Guo
- Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; College of Medicine, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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Geng P, Tian S, Yuan Z, Hu X. Identification and genomic comparison of temperate bacteriophages derived from emetic Bacillus cereus. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184572. [PMID: 28886124 PMCID: PMC5590980 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cereulide-producing Bacillus cereus isolates can cause serious emetic (vomiting) syndrome and even acute lethality. As mobile genetic elements, the exploration of prophages derived from emetic B. cereus isolates will help in our understanding of the genetic diversity and evolution of these pathogens. In this study, five temperate phages derived from cereulide-producing B. cereus strains were induced, with four of them undergoing genomic sequencing. Sequencing revealed that they all belong to the Siphoviridae family, but presented in different forms in their hosts. PfNC7401 and PfIS075 have typical icosahedral heads, probably existing alone as phagemids in the host with self-replicating capability in the lysogenic state. PfEFR-4, PfEFR-5, and PfATCC7953 have elongated heads, with the genomes of the former two identified as linear dsDNA, which could be integrated into the host genome during the lysogenic state. Genomic comparison of the four phages with others also derived from emetic B. cereus isolates showed similar genome structures and core genes, thus displaying host spectrum specificity. In addition, phylogenic analysis based on the complete genome and conserved tail fiber proteins of 36 Bacillus species-derived phages confirmed that the phages derived from emetic B. cereus strains were highly similar. Furthermore, one endolysin LysPfEFR-4 was cloned and showed lytic activity against all tested emetic B. cereus strains and cross-lytic activity against some other pathogenic bacteria, implying a potential to control bacterial contamination in the food supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiling Geng
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shen Tian
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiming Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- * E-mail: (XH); (ZY)
| | - Xiaomin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- * E-mail: (XH); (ZY)
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Oh H, Seo DJ, Jeon SB, Park H, Jeong S, Chun HS, Oh M, Choi C. Isolation and Characterization of Bacillus cereus Bacteriophages from Foods and Soil. Food Environ Virol 2017; 9:260-269. [PMID: 28205130 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-017-9284-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize Bacillus cereus bacteriophages of various origins. Twenty-seven bacteriophages against B. cereus were isolated from various Korean traditional fermented foods and soils. Plaque size, transmission electron microscopy, virulence profile, and in vitro lytic activity of bacteriophage isolates were examined. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed B. cereus bacteriophages belonging to the family Siphoviridae. Among B. cereus bacteriophages with broad host range, 18 isolates (66.7%) did not harbor any B. cereus virulence factors. Among them, bacteriophage strain CAU150036, CAU150038, CAU150058, CAU150064, CAU150065, and CAU150066 effectively inhibited B. cereus in vitro within 1 h. Therefore, they are considered potential candidates for controlling the contamination of B. cereus in food or other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyejin Oh
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Biotechnology and Agriculture Resource, Chung-Ang University, Seodongdaero, Daeduck, Anseong, Gyeonggi, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Joo Seo
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Biotechnology and Agriculture Resource, Chung-Ang University, Seodongdaero, Daeduck, Anseong, Gyeonggi, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Been Jeon
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Biotechnology and Agriculture Resource, Chung-Ang University, Seodongdaero, Daeduck, Anseong, Gyeonggi, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunkyung Park
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Biotechnology and Agriculture Resource, Chung-Ang University, Seodongdaero, Daeduck, Anseong, Gyeonggi, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Suntak Jeong
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Biotechnology and Agriculture Resource, Chung-Ang University, Seodongdaero, Daeduck, Anseong, Gyeonggi, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyang Sook Chun
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Biotechnology and Agriculture Resource, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Mihwa Oh
- National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, 54875, Republic of Korea
| | - Changsun Choi
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Biotechnology and Agriculture Resource, Chung-Ang University, Seodongdaero, Daeduck, Anseong, Gyeonggi, 17546, Republic of Korea.
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Willms IM, Hoppert M, Hertel R. Characterization of Bacillus Subtilis Viruses vB_BsuM-Goe2 and vB_BsuM-Goe3. Viruses 2017; 9:E146. [PMID: 28604650 PMCID: PMC5490822 DOI: 10.3390/v9060146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Spounavirinae viruses are ubiquitous in nature and have an obligatory virulent lifestyle. They infect Firmicutes, a bacterial phylum containing an array of environmental non-pathogenic and pathogenic organisms. To expand the knowledge of this viral subfamily, new strains were isolated and investigated in this study. Here we present two new viruses, vB_BsuM-Goe2 and vB_BsuM-Goe3, isolated from raw sewage and infecting Bacillus species. Both were morphologically classified via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as members of the Spounavirinae subfamily belonging to the Myoviridae family. Genomic sequencing and analyses allowed further affiliation of vB_BsuM-Goe2 to the SPO1-like virus group and vB_BsuM-Goe3 to the Bastille-like virus group. Experimentally determined adsorption constant, latency period, burst size and host range for both viruses revealed different survival strategies. Thus vB_BsuM-Goe2 seemed to rely on fewer host species compared to vB_BsuM-Goe3, but efficiently recruits those. Stability tests pointed out that both viruses are best preserved in LB-medium or TMK-buffer at 4 or 21 °C, whereas cryopreservation strongly reduced viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inka M Willms
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Goettingen, 37077, Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Michael Hoppert
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Goettingen, 37077 Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Robert Hertel
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Goettingen, 37077, Goettingen, Germany.
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36
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Abstract
The thermodynamic stabilities of four natural prohead or packaging RNA (pRNA) three-way junction (3WJ) nanomotifs and seven phi29 pRNA 3WJ deletion mutant nanomotifs were investigated using UV optical melting on a three-component RNA system. Our data reveal that some pRNA 3WJs are more stable than the phi29 pRNA 3WJ. The stability of the 3WJ contributes to the unique self-assembly properties of pRNA. Thus, ultrastable pRNA 3WJ motifs suggest new scaffolds for pRNA-based nanotechnology. We present data demonstrating that pRNA 3WJs differentially respond to the presence of metal ions. A comparison of our data with free energies predicted by currently available RNA secondary structure prediction programs shows that these programs do not accurately predict multibranch loop stabilities. These results will expand the existing parameters used for RNA secondary structure prediction from sequence in order to better inform RNA structure-function hypotheses and guide the rational design of functional RNA supramolecular assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan J Schroeder
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
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37
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Yuan Y, Gao M. Characteristics and complete genome analysis of a novel jumbo phage infecting pathogenic Bacillus pumilus causing ginger rhizome rot disease. Arch Virol 2016; 161:3597-3600. [PMID: 27619796 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-3053-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Tailed phages with genomes larger than 200 kbp are classified as jumbo phage and exhibit extremely high diversity. In this study, a novel jumbo phage, vB_BpuM_BpSp, infecting pathogenic Bacillus pumilus, the cause of ginger rhizome rot disease, was isolated. Notable features of phage vB_BpuM_BpSp are the large phage capsid of 137 nm and baseplate-attached curly tail fibers. The genome of the phage is 255,569 bp in size with G+C content of 25.9 %, and it shows low similarity to known biological entities. The phage genome contains 318 predicted coding sequences. Among these predicted coding sequences, 26 genes responsible for nucleotide metabolism were found, and seven structural genes could be identified. The findings of this study provide new understanding of the genetic diversity of phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Meiying Gao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China.
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38
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Abstract
Metal ions are critical for RNA structure and enzymatic activity. We present the structure of an asymmetric RNA loop that binds metal ions and has an essential function in a bacteriophage packaging motor. Prohead RNA is a noncoding RNA that is required for genome packaging activity in phi29-like bacteriophage. The loops in GA1 and phi29 bacteriophage share a conserved adenine that forms a base triple, although the structural context for the base triple differs. NMR relaxation studies and femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy reveal the dynamic behavior of the loop in the metal ion bound and unbound forms. The mechanism of metal ion binding appears to be an induced conformational change between two dynamic ensembles rather than a conformational capture mechanism. These results provide experimental benchmarks for computational models of RNA-metal ion interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Gu
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Department of Microbiology & Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Sun-Young Park
- Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Marco Tonelli
- NMRFAM, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Gabriel Cornilescu
- NMRFAM, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Tianbing Xia
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Texas, Dallas, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Dongping Zhong
- Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Susan J. Schroeder
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Department of Microbiology & Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- Corresponding Author.
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Hill AC, Bartley LE, Schroeder SJ. Prohead RNA: a noncoding viral RNA of novel structure and function. Wiley Interdiscip Rev RNA 2016; 7:428-37. [PMID: 26810250 PMCID: PMC5066667 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prohead RNA (pRNA) is an essential component of the powerful Φ29-like bacteriophage DNA packaging motor. However, the specific role of this unique RNA in the Φ29 packaging motor remains unknown. This review examines pRNA as a noncoding RNA of novel structure and function. In order to highlight the reasons for exploring the structure and function of pRNA, we (1) provide an overview of Φ29-like bacteriophage and the Φ29 DNA packaging motor, including putative motor mechanisms and structures of its component parts; (2) discuss pRNA structure and possible roles for pRNA in the Φ29 packaging motor; (3) summarize pRNA self-assembly; and (4) describe the prospective therapeutic applications of pRNA. Many questions remain to be answered in order to connect what is currently known about pRNA structure to its novel function in the Φ29 packaging motor. The knowledge gained from studying the structure, function, and sequence variation in pRNA will help develop tools to better navigate the conformational landscapes of RNA. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:428-437. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1330 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa C Hill
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Laura E Bartley
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Susan J Schroeder
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
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Lavysh D, Sokolova M, Minakhin L, Yakunina M, Artamonova T, Kozyavkin S, Makarova KS, Koonin EV, Severinov K. The genome of AR9, a giant transducing Bacillus phage encoding two multisubunit RNA polymerases. Virology 2016; 495:185-96. [PMID: 27236306 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophage AR9 and its close relative PBS1 have been extensively used to construct early Bacillus subtilis genetic maps. Here, we present the 251,042bp AR9 genome, a linear, terminally redundant double-stranded DNA containing deoxyuridine instead of thymine. Multiple AR9 genes are interrupted by non-coding sequences or sequences encoding putative endonucleases. We show that these sequences are group I and group II self-splicing introns. Eight AR9 proteins are homologous to fragments of bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) subunits β/β'. These proteins comprise two sets of paralogs of RNAP largest subunits, with each paralog encoded by two disjoint phage genes. Thus, AR9 is a phiKZ-related giant phage that relies on two multisubunit viral RNAPs to transcribe its genome independently of host transcription apparatus. Purification of one of PBS1/AR9 RNAPs has been reported previously, which makes AR9 a promising object for further studies of RNAP evolution, assembly and mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Lavysh
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Maria Sokolova
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo, Russia.
| | - Leonid Minakhin
- Waksman Institute, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| | - Maria Yakunina
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Tatjana Artamonova
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | | | - Kira S Makarova
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA.
| | - Eugene V Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA.
| | - Konstantin Severinov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo, Russia; Waksman Institute, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
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van Zyl LJ, Sunda F, Taylor MP, Cowan DA, Trindade MI. Identification and characterization of a novel Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius bacteriophage, GVE3. Arch Virol 2015; 160:2269-82. [PMID: 26123922 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-015-2497-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The study of extremophilic phages may reveal new phage families as well as different mechanisms of infection, propagation and lysis to those found in phages from temperate environments. We describe a novel siphovirus, GVE3, which infects the thermophile Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius. The genome size is 141,298 bp (G+C 29.6%), making it the largest Geobacillus spp-infecting phage known. GVE3 appears to be most closely related to the recently described Bacillus anthracis phage vB_BanS_Tsamsa, rather than Geobacillus-infecting phages described thus far. Tetranucleotide usage deviation analysis supports this relationship, showing that the GVE3 genome sequence correlates best with B. anthracis and Bacillus cereus genome sequences, rather than Geobacillus spp genome sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Joaquim van Zyl
- Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics (IMBM), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa,
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42
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Yuan Y, Peng Q, Wu D, Kou Z, Wu Y, Liu P, Gao M. Effects of actin-like proteins encoded by two Bacillus pumilus phages on unstable lysogeny, revealed by genomic analysis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 81:339-50. [PMID: 25344242 PMCID: PMC4272706 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02889-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We characterized two newly isolated myoviruses, Bp8p-C and Bp8p-T, infecting the ginger rhizome rot disease pathogen Bacillus pumilus GR8. The plaque of Bp8p-T exhibited a clear center with a turbid rim, suggesting that Bp8p-T could transform into latent phage. Lysogeny assays showed that both the two phages could form latent states, while Bp8p-T could form latent phage at a higher frequency and stability than Bp8p-C. The genomes of Bp8p-C and Bp8p-T were 151,417 and 151,419 bp, respectively; both encoded 212 putative proteins, and only differed by three nucleotides. Moreover, owing to this difference, Bp8p-C encoded a truncated, putative actin-like plasmid segregation protein Gp27-C. Functional analysis of protein Gp27 showed that Gp27-T encoded by Bp8p-T exhibited higher ATPase activity and assembly ability than Gp27-C. The results indicate that the difference in Gp27 affected the phage lysogenic ability. Structural proteome analysis of Bp8p-C virion resulted in the identification of 14 structural proteins, among which a pectin lyase-like protein, a putative poly-gamma-glutamate hydrolase, and three proteins with unknown function, were firstly identified as components of the phage virion. Both phages exhibited specific lytic ability to the host strain GR8. Bp8p-C showed better control effect on the pathogen in ginger rhizome slices than Bp8p-T, suggesting that Bp8p-C has a potential application in bio-control of ginger rhizome rot disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Peng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Kou
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Meiying Gao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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Abe K, Kawano Y, Iwamoto K, Arai K, Maruyama Y, Eichenberger P, Sato T. Developmentally-regulated excision of the SPβ prophage reconstitutes a gene required for spore envelope maturation in Bacillus subtilis. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004636. [PMID: 25299644 PMCID: PMC4191935 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Temperate phages infect bacteria by injecting their DNA into bacterial cells, where it becomes incorporated into the host genome as a prophage. In the genome of Bacillus subtilis 168, an active prophage, SPβ, is inserted into a polysaccharide synthesis gene, spsM. Here, we show that a rearrangement occurs during sporulation to reconstitute a functional composite spsM gene by precise excision of SPβ from the chromosome. SPβ excision requires a putative site-specific recombinase, SprA, and an accessory protein, SprB. A minimized SPβ, where all the SPβ genes were deleted, except sprA and sprB, retained the SPβ excision activity during sporulation, demonstrating that sprA and sprB are necessary and sufficient for the excision. While expression of sprA was observed during vegetative growth, sprB was induced during sporulation and upon mitomycin C treatment, which triggers the phage lytic cycle. We also demonstrated that overexpression of sprB (but not of sprA) resulted in SPβ prophage excision without triggering the lytic cycle. These results suggest that sprB is the factor that controls the timing of phage excision. Furthermore, we provide evidence that spsM is essential for the addition of polysaccharides to the spore envelope. The presence of polysaccharides on the spore surface renders the spore hydrophilic in water. This property may be beneficial in allowing spores to disperse in natural environments via water flow. A similar rearrangement occurs in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42, where a SPβ-like element is excised during sporulation to reconstitute a polysaccharide synthesis gene, suggesting that this type of gene rearrangement is common in spore-forming bacteria because it can be spread by phage infection. Integration of prophages into protein-coding sequences of the host chromosome generally results in loss of function of the interrupted gene. In the endospore-forming organism Bacillus subtilis strain 168, the SPβ prophage is inserted into a previously-uncharacterized spore polysaccharide synthesis gene, spsM. In vegetative cells, the lytic cycle is induced in response to DNA damage. In the process, SPβ is excised from the genome to form phage particles. Here, we demonstrate that SPβ excision is also a developmentally-regulated event that occurs systematically during sporulation to reconstitute a functional spsM gene. Following asymmetric division of the sporulating cell, two cellular compartments are generated, the forespore, which will mature into a spore, and the mother cell, which is essential to the process of spore maturation. Because phage excision is limited to the mother cell genome, and does not occur in the forespore genome, SPβ is an integral part of the spore genome. Thus, after the spores germinate, the vegetative cells resume growth and the SPβ prophage is propagated vertically to the progeny along with the rest of the host genome. Our results suggest that the two pathways of SPβ excision support both the phage life cycle and normal sporulation of the host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimihiro Abe
- Research Center of Micro-Nano Technology, Hosei University, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuta Kawano
- Department of Frontier Bioscience, Hosei University, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keito Iwamoto
- Department of Frontier Bioscience, Hosei University, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Arai
- Department of Frontier Bioscience, Hosei University, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Maruyama
- Department of Frontier Bioscience, Hosei University, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Patrick Eichenberger
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Tsutomu Sato
- Research Center of Micro-Nano Technology, Hosei University, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Frontier Bioscience, Hosei University, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Hashiyama K, Takeuchi A, Makino O. A Variant Protein from φ29 Replication Gene, Gene 1, Did Not Form Homo-Polymer Due to a Single Amino Acid Substitution Near the Carboxyl Terminus. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2014; 69:1045-8. [PMID: 15914932 DOI: 10.1271/bbb.69.1045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
For study of the self-association of the product of psi29 gene 1, one variant which has a substitution at the 71(st) amino acid was used. By glycerol gradient sedimentation, the product of wild-type gene 1 existed both as large aggregate and oligomer, whereas the variant was detected as a single peak of monomer size. According to experiments using His-tagged proteins and Ni-NTA magnetic beads, the variant made only a little self-associated complex. From these results, a site essential for self-association was suggested to exist close to the carboxyl terminus of the product of psi29 gene 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Hashiyama
- Department of Genetics, Life Science Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan
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45
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Barylski J, Nowicki G, Goździcka-Józefiak A. The discovery of phiAGATE, a novel phage infecting Bacillus pumilus, leads to new insights into the phylogeny of the subfamily Spounavirinae. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86632. [PMID: 24466180 PMCID: PMC3900605 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Bacillus phage phiAGATE is a novel myovirus isolated from the waters of Lake Góreckie (a eutrophic lake in western Poland). The bacteriophage infects Bacillus pumilus, a bacterium commonly observed in the mentioned reservoir. Analysis of the phiAGATE genome (149844 base pairs) resulted in 204 predicted protein-coding sequences (CDSs), of which 53 could be functionally annotated. Further investigation revealed that the bacteriophage is a member of a previously undescribed cluster of phages (for the purposes of this study we refer to it as "Bastille group") within the Spounavirinae subfamily. Here we demonstrate that these viruses constitute a distinct branch of the Spounavirinae phylogenetic tree, with limited similarity to phages from the Twortlikevirus and Spounalikevirus genera. The classification of phages from the Bastille group into any currently accepted genus proved extremely difficult, prompting concerns about the validity of the present taxonomic arrangement of the subfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Barylski
- Department of Molecular Virology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Nowicki
- Department of Molecular Virology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Goździcka-Józefiak
- Department of Molecular Virology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
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46
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Abstract
Bacteriophages have been found to be the most abundant and also potentially most diverse biological entities on Earth. In the present study, Bacillus phages were isolated rapidly and shown to have a high degree of diversity. The genomes of a newly isolated phage, phiCM3, and a prophage, proCM3, from the Bacillus thuringiensis strain YM-03 were sequenced and characterized. Comparative genome analysis showed that the phiCM3 genome is highly similar to the genomes of eight other Bacillus phages and seven of these phages were classified as the Wβ group of phages. Analysis of the differential evolution of the genes in the Wβ-group phages indicated that the genes encoding the antirepressor and tail fibre protein were more highly conserved than those encoding the major capsid protein, DNA replication protein, and RNA polymerase σ factor, which might have diverged to acquire mechanisms suitable for survival in different microbial hosts. Genome analysis of proCM3 revealed that proCM3 might be a defective phage because of mutations in the minor structural protein, and it was not inducible by mitomycin C treatment. The proCM3 genome was similar to those of two lytic Bacillus phages in sequence, but had a different genomic structure, composed of three regions in a different order. These data suggest that the three phages might have had a common ancestor and that genome rearrangement might have occurred during evolution. The findings of this study enrich our current knowledge of Bacillus phage diversity and evolution, especially for the Wβ-group and TP21-L-like phages, and may help the development of practical applications of Bacillus phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Meiying Gao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Qin Peng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Dandan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Pengming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Yan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
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Abstract
Detection of biological weapons is a primary concern in force protection, treaty verification, and safeguarding civilian populations against domestic terrorism. One great concern is the detection of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop novel methods for rapid, simple, and precise detection of B. anthracis. Here, we report that the C-terminal region of gamma-phage lysin protein (PlyG) binds specifically to the cell wall of B. anthracis and the recombinant protein corresponding to this region (positions, 156-233), PlyGB, is available as a bioprobe for detection of B. anthracis. Our detection method, based on a membrane direct blot assay using recombinant PlyGB, was more rapid and sensitive than the gamma-phage test and was simpler and more inexpensive than genetic methods such as PCR, or immunological methods using specific antibodies. Furthermore, its specificity was comparable to the gamma-phage test. PlyGB is applicable in conventional methods instead of antibodies and could be a potent tool for detection of B. anthracis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihito Fujinami
- Department of First Forensic Science, National Research Institute of Police Science, Kashiva, Chiba, Japan
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Zhang H, Endrizzi JA, Shu Y, Haque F, Sauter C, Shlyakhtenko LS, Lyubchenko Y, Guo P, Chi YI. Crystal structure of 3WJ core revealing divalent ion-promoted thermostability and assembly of the Phi29 hexameric motor pRNA. RNA 2013; 19:1226-37. [PMID: 23884902 PMCID: PMC3753930 DOI: 10.1261/rna.037077.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The bacteriophage phi29 DNA packaging motor, one of the strongest biological motors characterized to date, is geared by a packaging RNA (pRNA) ring. When assembled from three RNA fragments, its three-way junction (3WJ) motif is highly thermostable, is resistant to 8 M urea, and remains associated at extremely low concentrations in vitro and in vivo. To elucidate the structural basis for its unusual stability, we solved the crystal structure of this pRNA 3WJ motif at 3.05 Å. The structure revealed two divalent metal ions that coordinate 4 nt of the RNA fragments. Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) analysis confirmed a structural change of 3WJ upon addition of Mg²⁺. The reported pRNA 3WJ conformation is different from a previously published construct that lacks the metal coordination sites. The phi29 DNA packaging motor contains a dodecameric connector at the vertex of the procapsid, with a central pore for DNA translocation. This portal connector serves as the foothold for pRNA binding to procapsid. Subsequent modeling of a connector/pRNA complex suggests that the pRNA of the phi29 DNA packaging motor exists as a hexameric complex serving as a sheath over the connector. The model of hexameric pRNA on the connector agrees with AFM images of the phi29 pRNA hexamer acquired in air and matches all distance parameters obtained from cross-linking, complementary modification, and chemical modification interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Nanobiotechnology Center, Markey Cancer Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - James A. Endrizzi
- Section of Structural Biology, Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912, USA
| | - Yi Shu
- Nanobiotechnology Center, Markey Cancer Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Farzin Haque
- Nanobiotechnology Center, Markey Cancer Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Claude Sauter
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IBMC-ARN-CNRS) Cristallogenèse & Biologie Structurale, F-67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Lyudmila S. Shlyakhtenko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
| | - Yuri Lyubchenko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
| | - Peixuan Guo
- Nanobiotechnology Center, Markey Cancer Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
- Corresponding authorsE-mail E-mail
| | - Young-In Chi
- Section of Structural Biology, Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912, USA
- Corresponding authorsE-mail E-mail
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49
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Rodríguez I, Longás E, de Vega M, Salas M. The essential role of the 3' terminal template base in the first steps of protein-primed DNA replication. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48257. [PMID: 23110220 PMCID: PMC3480470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages φ29 and Nf from Bacillus subtilis start replication of their linear genomes at both ends using a protein-primed mechanism by means of which the DNA polymerase initiates replication by adding dAMP to the terminal protein, this insertion being directed by the second and third 3′ terminal thymine of the template strand, respectively. In this work, we have obtained evidences about the role of the 3′ terminal base during the initiation steps of φ29 and Nf genome replication. The results indicate that the absence of the 3′ terminal base modifies the initiation position carried out by φ29 DNA polymerase in such a way that now the third position of the template, instead of the second one, guides the incorporation of the initiating nucleotide. In the case of Nf, although the lack of the 3′ terminal base has no effect on the initiation position, its absence impairs further elongation of the TP-dAMP initiation product. The results show the essential role of the 3′ terminal base in guaranteeing the correct positioning of replication origins at the polymerization active site to allow accurate initiation of replication and further elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rodríguez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular “Eladio Viñuela” (Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa” (Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Longás
- Instituto de Biología Molecular “Eladio Viñuela” (Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa” (Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel de Vega
- Instituto de Biología Molecular “Eladio Viñuela” (Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa” (Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita Salas
- Instituto de Biología Molecular “Eladio Viñuela” (Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa” (Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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50
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Swanson MM, Reavy B, Makarova KS, Cock PJ, Hopkins DW, Torrance L, Koonin EV, Taliansky M. Novel bacteriophages containing a genome of another bacteriophage within their genomes. PLoS One 2012; 7:e40683. [PMID: 22815791 PMCID: PMC3398947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel bacteriophage infecting Staphylococus pasteuri was isolated during a screen for phages in Antarctic soils. The phage named SpaA1 is morphologically similar to phages of the family Siphoviridae. The 42,784 bp genome of SpaA1 is a linear, double-stranded DNA molecule with 3' protruding cohesive ends. The SpaA1 genome encompasses 63 predicted protein-coding genes which cluster within three regions of the genome, each of apparently different origin, in a mosaic pattern. In two of these regions, the gene sets resemble those in prophages of Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki str. T03a001 (genes involved in DNA replication/transcription, cell entry and exit) and B. cereus AH676 (additional regulatory and recombination genes), respectively. The third region represents an almost complete genome (except for the short terminal segments) of a distinct bacteriophage, MZTP02. Nearly the same gene module was identified in prophages of B. thuringiensis serovar monterrey BGSC 4AJ1 and B. cereus Rock4-2. These findings suggest that MZTP02 can be shuttled between genomes of other bacteriophages and prophages, leading to the formation of chimeric genomes. The presence of a complete phage genome in the genome of other phages apparently has not been described previously and might represent a 'fast track' route of virus evolution and horizontal gene transfer. Another phage (BceA1) nearly identical in sequence to SpaA1, and also including the almost complete MZTP02 genome within its own genome, was isolated from a bacterium of the B. cereus/B. thuringiensis group. Remarkably, both SpaA1 and BceA1 phages can infect B. cereus and B. thuringiensis, but only one of them, SpaA1, can infect S. pasteuri. This finding is best compatible with a scenario in which MZTP02 was originally contained in BceA1 infecting Bacillus spp, the common hosts for these two phages, followed by emergence of SpaA1 infecting S. pasteuri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maud M. Swanson
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Reavy
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Kira S. Makarova
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Cock
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lesley Torrance
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Eugene V. Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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