Mucin induces CRISPR-Cas defense in an opportunistic pathogen

Gabriel Magno Freitas Almeida, Ville Hoikkala, Janne Ravantti, Noora Rantanen and Lotta-Riina Sundberg ()
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Gabriel Magno Freitas Almeida: University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center
Ville Hoikkala: University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center
Janne Ravantti: University of Helsinki, Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme
Noora Rantanen: University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center
Lotta-Riina Sundberg: University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Parasitism by bacteriophages has led to the evolution of a variety of defense mechanisms in their host bacteria. However, it is unclear what factors lead to specific defenses being deployed upon phage infection. To explore this question, we co-evolved the bacterial fish pathogen Flavobacterium columnare and its virulent phage V156 in presence and absence of a eukaryotic host signal (mucin) for sixteen weeks. The presence of mucin leads to a dramatic increase in CRISPR spacer acquisition, especially in low nutrient conditions where over 60% of colonies obtain at least one new spacer. Additionally, we show that the presence of a competitor bacterium further increases CRISPR spacer acquisition in F. columnare. These results suggest that ecological factors are important in determining defense strategies against phages, and that the phage-bacterium interactions on mucosal surfaces may select for the diversification of bacterial immune systems.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31330-3

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