Journal article
Pervasive prophage recombination occurs during evolution of spore-forming Bacilli
Center for Microbial Secondary Metabolites, Centers, Technical University of Denmark1
Heidelberg University 2
GRO Biosciences3
University of Wisconsin-Madison4
Section for Microbial and Chemical Ecology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark5
Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark6
Technical University of Denmark7
Bacterial Ecophysiology and Biotechnology, Section for Microbial and Chemical Ecology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark8
Colloids & Biological Interfaces, Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark9
Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark10
Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark11
Hungarian Academy of Sciences12
...and 2 morePhages are the main source of within-species bacterial diversity and drivers of horizontal gene transfer, but we know little about the mechanisms that drive genetic diversity of these mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Recently, we showed that a sporulation selection regime promotes evolutionary changes within SPβ prophage of Bacillus subtilis, leading to direct antagonistic interactions within the population.
Herein, we reveal that under a sporulation selection regime, SPβ recombines with low copy number phi3Ts phage DNA present within the B. subtilis population. Recombination results in a new prophage occupying a different integration site, as well as the spontaneous release of virulent phage hybrids. Analysis of Bacillus sp. strains suggests that SPβ and phi3T belong to a distinct cluster of unusually large phages inserted into sporulation-related genes that are equipped with a spore-related genetic arsenal.
Comparison of Bacillus sp. genomes indicates that similar diversification of SPβ-like phages takes place in nature. Our work is a stepping stone toward empirical studies on phage evolution, and understanding the eco-evolutionary relationships between bacteria and their phages. By capturing the first steps of new phage evolution, we reveal striking relationship between survival strategy of bacteria and evolution of their phages.
Language: | English |
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Publisher: | Nature Publishing Group UK |
Year: | 2021 |
Pages: | 1344-1358 |
Journal subtitle: | Multidisciplinary Journal of Microbial Ecology |
ISSN: | 17517370 and 17517362 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1038/s41396-020-00854-1 |
ORCIDs: | Dragos, Anna , 0000-0002-5412-6528 , Kovács, Ákos T. , Strube, Mikael Lenz and Kempen, Paul |