A chemical defence against phage infection

Sarah Kronheim, Martin Daniel-Ivad, Zhuang Duan, Sungwon Hwang, Andrew I. Wong, Ian Mantel, Justin R. Nodwell and Karen L. Maxwell ()
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Sarah Kronheim: University of Toronto
Martin Daniel-Ivad: University of Toronto
Zhuang Duan: University of Toronto
Sungwon Hwang: University of Toronto
Andrew I. Wong: University of Toronto
Ian Mantel: University of Toronto
Justin R. Nodwell: University of Toronto
Karen L. Maxwell: University of Toronto

Nature, 2018, vol. 564, issue 7735, 283-286

Abstract: Abstract The arms race between bacteria and the phages that infect them drives the continual evolution of diverse anti-phage defences. Previously described anti-phage systems have highly varied defence mechanisms1–11; however, all mechanisms rely on protein components to mediate defence. Here we report a chemical anti-phage defence system that is widespread in Streptomyces. We show that three naturally produced molecules that insert into DNA are able to block phage replication, whereas molecules that target DNA by other mechanisms do not. Because double-stranded DNA phages are the most numerous group in the biosphere and the production of secondary metabolites by bacteria is ubiquitous12, this mechanism of anti-phage defence probably has a major evolutionary role in shaping bacterial communities.

Keywords: Phage Replication; Shaping Bacterial Communities; Coelicolor M145; Streptomyces Phage; Peucetius (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0767-x

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