Active Lysogeny in Listeria Monocytogenes Is a Bacteria-Phage Adaptive Response in the Mammalian Environment

Autor: Jessica Mioduser, Gil Azulay, Nadejda Sigal, Ilya Borovok, Anna Pasechnek, Lev Rabinovich, Anat A. Herskovits, Tal Argov, Olga Stadnyuk
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: Cell Reports
Cell Reports, Vol 32, Iss 4, Pp 107956-(2020)
ISSN: 2211-1247
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107956
Popis: Summary Some Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) strains harbor a prophage within the comK gene, which renders it inactive. During Lm infection of macrophage cells, the prophage turns into a molecular switch, promoting comK gene expression and therefore Lm intracellular growth. During this process, the prophage does not produce infective phages or cause bacterial lysis, suggesting it has acquired an adaptive behavior suited to the pathogenic lifestyle of its host. In this study, we demonstrate that this non-classical phage behavior, named active lysogeny, relies on a transcriptional response that is specific to the intracellular niche. While the prophage undergoes lytic induction, the process is arrested midway, preventing the transcription of the late genes. Further, we demonstrate key phage factors, such as LlgA transcription regulator and a DNA replicase, that support the phage adaptive behavior. This study provides molecular insights into the adaptation of phages to their pathogenic hosts, uncovering unusual cooperative interactions.
Graphical Abstract
Highlights • L. monocytogenes strain 10403S harbors a prophage in its comK gene • During infection of macrophage cells, the prophage lytic pathway is induced • The phage lytic response is arrested, preventing the expression of the late genes • LlgA, the late lytic gene activator is specifically inhibited at 37°C
Pasechnek at al. describe a phage transcriptional response that supports the pathogenic lifestyle of its host.
Databáze: OpenAIRE