Structure, stability, and biological activity of bacteriophage T4 gene product 9 probed with mutagenesis and monoclonal antibodies

Interaction of Bacteriophages with the Immune System: Induction of Bacteriophage-Specific Antibodies

In all cases when a bacteriophage makes a direct contact with a mammalian organism, it may challenge the mammalian immunological system. Its major consequence is the production of antibodies specific to the bacteriophage, particularly IgM, IgG, and IgA as the typical response. Here we present protocols applicable in studies of the ability of bacteriophage to induce specific antibodies; immunization to whole virions or to isolated phage proteins has been included. The protocols have been divided into three parts: purification, immunization, and detection (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA).

Insights into the Alcyoneusvirus Adsorption Complex

The structures of the Caudovirales phage tails are key factors in determining the host specificity of these viruses. However, because of the enormous structural diversity, the molecular anatomy of the host recognition apparatus has been elucidated in only a number of phages. Klebsiella viruses vB_KleM_RaK2 (RaK2) and phiK64-1, which form a new genus Alcyoneusvirus according to the ICTV, have perhaps one of the most structurally sophisticated adsorption complexes of all tailed viruses described to date. Here, to gain insight into the early steps of the alcyoneusvirus infection process, the adsorption apparatus of bacteriophage RaK2 is studied in silico and in vitro. We experimentally demonstrate that ten proteins, gp098 and gp526-gp534, previously designated as putative structural/tail fiber proteins (TFPs), are present in the adsorption complex of RaK2. We show that two of these proteins, gp098 and gp531, are essential for attaching to Klebsiella pneumoniae KV-3 cells: gp531 is an active depolymerase that recognizes and degrades the capsule of this particular host, while gp098 is a secondary receptor-binding protein that requires the coordinated action of gp531. Finally, we demonstrate that RaK2 long tail fibers consist of nine TFPs, seven of which are depolymerases, and propose a model for their assembly.

Phage-specific antibodies

Antibodies specific to phage virions have been observed many times, both in animals and in humans. Phages induce the T-dependent type of immune response, which is fundamental for immunological memory and long retention of abilities to recognize and respond to foreign epitopes. Experimental models have shown that phage-specific antibodies can be devastating for a phage in vivo. Observations from phage treatment in humans demonstrate however that antibodies do not necessarily hinder phage therapy. Controlling effective doses may help in controlling the immune response to phage and to create 'therapeutic windows' for the phage. Phage therapy design may also benefit from understanding phage antigenicity and predicting possible cross-reactions between antibodies specific to different phages.

Role of the C-terminus in folding and oligomerization of bacteriophage T4 gene product 9

Bacteriophage T4 gene product 9 (gp9) is a structural protein of baseplate that plays a key role at the beginning of the infection process. Biologically active gp9 is a trimer that consists of three domains. It is a convenient model to study folding and oligomerization mechanisms of complex multidomain proteins. The influence of deletions and mutations of several amino acid residues in the C-terminal part of molecule on protein folding, oligomerization, and functional activity has been studied. It was determined that gp9 trimerization occurs post-translationally. It was shown that Gln282 and Ile284 are essential for gp9 trimer stabilization. The disruption of hydrogen bonds formed by Gln282 with Leu203 and Thr205 of neighboring chain has effect not only on interaction between monomers within trimer but also on folding of the polypeptide chain. Tsf (temperature sensitive for folding) and su (suppressor) mutations in the C-terminal region of the polypeptide chain affecting protein folding have been found.