Shape shifter: redirection of prolate phage capsid assembly by staphylococcal pathogenicity islands

N’Toia C. Hawkins, James L. Kizziah, José R. Penadés and Terje Dokland ()
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N’Toia C. Hawkins: University of Alabama at Birmingham
James L. Kizziah: University of Alabama at Birmingham
José R. Penadés: Center for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London
Terje Dokland: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) are molecular parasites that hijack helper phages for their transfer. SaPIbov5, the prototypical member of a family of cos type SaPIs, redirects the assembly of ϕ12 helper capsids from prolate to isometric. This size and shape shift is dependent on the SaPIbov5-encoded protein Ccm, a homolog of the ϕ12 capsid protein (CP). Using cryo-electron microscopy, we have determined structures of prolate ϕ12 procapsids and isometric SaPIbov5 procapsids. ϕ12 procapsids have icosahedral end caps with Tend = 4 architecture and a Tmid = 14 cylindrical midsection, whereas SaPIbov5 procapsids have T = 4 icosahedral architecture. We built atomic models for CP and Ccm, and show that Ccm occupies the pentameric capsomers in the isometric SaPIbov5 procapsids, suggesting that preferential incorporation of Ccm pentamers prevents the cylindrical midsection from forming. Our results highlight that pirate elements have evolved diverse mechanisms to suppress phage multiplication, including the acquisition of phage capsid protein homologs.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26759-x

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