Coordination of cohabiting phage elements supports bacteria–phage cooperation

Tal Argov, Shai Ran Sapir, Anna Pasechnek, Gil Azulay, Olga Stadnyuk, Lev Rabinovich, Nadejda Sigal, Ilya Borovok and Anat A. Herskovits ()
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Tal Argov: Tel Aviv University
Shai Ran Sapir: Tel Aviv University
Anna Pasechnek: Tel Aviv University
Gil Azulay: Tel Aviv University
Olga Stadnyuk: Tel Aviv University
Lev Rabinovich: Tel Aviv University
Nadejda Sigal: Tel Aviv University
Ilya Borovok: Tel Aviv University
Anat A. Herskovits: Tel Aviv University

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Bacterial pathogens often carry multiple prophages and other phage-derived elements within their genome, some of which can produce viral particles in response to stress. Listeria monocytogenes 10403S harbors two phage elements in its chromosome, both of which can trigger bacterial lysis under stress: an active prophage (ϕ10403S) that promotes the virulence of its host and can produce infective virions, and a locus encoding phage tail-like bacteriocins. Here, we show that the two phage elements are co-regulated, with the bacteriocin locus controlling the induction of the prophage and thus its activity as a virulence-associated molecular switch. More specifically, a metalloprotease encoded in the bacteriocin locus is upregulated in response to stress and acts as an anti-repressor for CI-like repressors encoded in each phage element. Our results provide molecular insight into the phenomenon of polylysogeny and its intricate adaptation to complex environments.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13296-x

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