Modular structure of the receptor binding proteins of Lactococcus lactis phages. The RBP structure of the temperate phage TP901-1

Mucin and Agitation Shape Predation of Escherichia coli by Lytic Coliphage

The ability of bacteriophage (phage), abundant within the gastrointestinal microbiome, to regulate bacterial populations within the same micro-environment offers prophylactic and therapeutic opportunities. Bacteria and phage have both been shown to interact intimately with mucin, and these interactions invariably effect the outcomes of phage predation within the intestine. To better understand the influence of the gastrointestinal micro-environment on phage predation, we employed enclosed, in vitro systems to investigate the roles of mucin concentration and agitation as a function of phage type and number on bacterial killing. Using two lytic coliphage, T4 and PhiX174, bacterial viability was quantified following exposure to phages at different multiplicities of infection (MOI) within increasing, physiological levels of mucin (0-4%) with and without agitation. Comparison of bacterial viability outcomes demonstrated that at low MOI, agitation in combination with higher mucin concentration (>2%) inhibited phage predation by both phages. However, when MOI was increased, PhiX predation was recovered regardless of mucin concentration or agitation. In contrast, only constant agitation of samples containing a high MOI of T4 demonstrated phage predation; briefly agitated samples remained hindered. Our results demonstrate that each phage-bacteria pairing is uniquely influenced by environmental factors, and these should be considered when determining the potential efficacy of phage predation under homeostatic or therapeutic circumstances.

Phage Adsorption to Gram-Positive Bacteria

The phage life cycle is a multi-stage process initiated by the recognition and attachment of the virus to its bacterial host. This adsorption step depends on the specific interaction between bacterial structures acting as receptors and viral proteins called Receptor Binding Proteins (RBP). The adsorption process is essential as it is the first determinant of phage host range and a sine qua non condition for the subsequent conduct of the life cycle. In phages belonging to the Caudoviricetes class, the capsid is attached to a tail, which is the central player in the adsorption as it comprises the RBP and accessory proteins facilitating phage binding and cell wall penetration prior to genome injection. The nature of the viral proteins involved in host adhesion not only depends on the phage morphology (i.e., myovirus, siphovirus, or podovirus) but also the targeted host. Here, we give an overview of the adsorption process and compile the available information on the type of receptors that can be recognized and the viral proteins taking part in the process, with the primary focus on phages infecting Gram-positive bacteria.

Exploring Structural Diversity among Adhesion Devices Encoded by Lactococcal P335 Phages with AlphaFold2

Bacteriophages, or phages, are the most abundant biological entities on Earth. They possess molecular nanodevices to package and store their genome, as well as to introduce it into the cytoplasm of their bacterial prey. Successful phage infection commences with specific recognition of, and adhesion to, a suitable host cell surface. Adhesion devices of siphophages infecting Gram-positive bacteria are very diverse and remain, for the majority, poorly understood. These assemblies often comprise long, flexible, and multi-domain proteins, which limit their structural analyses by experimental approaches. The protein structure prediction program AlphaFold2 is exquisitely adapted to unveil structural and functional details of such molecular machineries. Here, we present structure predictions of adhesion devices from siphophages belonging to the P335 group infecting Lactococcus spp., one of the most extensively applied lactic acid bacteria in dairy fermentations. The predictions of representative adhesion devices from types I-IV P335 phages illustrate their very diverse topology. Adhesion devices from types III and IV phages share a common topology with that of Skunavirus p2, with a receptor binding protein anchored to the virion by a distal tail protein loop. This suggests that they exhibit an activation mechanism similar to that of phage p2 prior to host binding.

Receptor binding protein of prophage reversibly recognizes the low-molecular weight subunit of the surface-layer protein SlpA in Clostridioides difficile

Receptor-binding proteins (RBPs) are located at the viral tail and mediate the initial recognition of phage to a specific bacterial host. Phage RBPs have co-evolved with numerous types of host receptors resulting in the formation of a diverse assortment of cognate pairs of RBP-receptors that function during the phage attachment step. Although several Clostridioides difficile bacteriophages have been discovered, their RBPs are poorly described. Using homology analysis, putative prophage-tail structure (pts) genes were identified from the prophage genome of the C. difficile HN10 strain. Competition and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, using recombinant PtsHN10M, demonstrated the interaction of this Pts to C. difficile cells, suggesting a role as a phage RBP. Gel filtration and cross-linking assay revealed the native form of this protein as a homotrimer. Moreover, truncated variants indicated that the C-terminal domain of PtsHN10M was important for binding to C. difficile cells. Interaction of PtsHN10M was also observed to the low-molecular weight subunit of surface-layer protein A (SlpA), located at the outermost surface of C. difficile cells. Altogether, our study highlights the function of PtsHN10M as an RBP and potentially paves the way toward phage engineering and phage therapy against C. difficile infection.

Potential of bacteriophage proteins as recognition molecules for pathogen detection

Bacterial pathogens are leading causes of infections with high mortality worldwide having a great impact on healthcare systems and the food industry. Gold standard methods for bacterial detection mainly rely on culture-based technologies and biochemical tests which are laborious and time-consuming. Regardless of several developments in existing methods, the goal of achieving high sensitivity and specificity, as well as a low detection limit, remains unaccomplished. In past years, various biorecognition elements, such as antibodies, enzymes, aptamers, or nucleic acids, have been widely used, being crucial for the pathogens detection in different complex matrices. However, these molecules are usually associated with high detection limits, demand laborious and costly production, and usually present cross-reactivity. (Bacterio)phage-encoded proteins, especially the receptor binding proteins (RBPs) and cell-wall binding domains (CBDs) of endolysins, are responsible for the phage binding to the bacterial surface receptors in different stages of the phage lytic cycle. Due to their remarkable properties, such as high specificity, sensitivity, stability, and ability to be easily engineered, they are appointed as excellent candidates to replace conventional recognition molecules, thereby contributing to the improvement of the detection methods. Moreover, they offer several possibilities of application in a variety of detection systems, such as magnetic, optical, and electrochemical. Herein we provide a review of phage-derived bacterial binding proteins, namely the RBPs and CBDs, with the prospect to be employed as recognition elements for bacteria. Moreover, we summarize and discuss the various existing methods based on these proteins for the detection of nosocomial and foodborne pathogens.

Brussowvirus SW13 requires a cell surface-associated polysaccharide to recognise its Streptococcus thermophilus host

Four bacteriophage-insensitive mutants (BIMs) of the dairy starter bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus UCCSt50 were isolated following challenge with Brussowvirus SW13. The BIMs displayed an altered sedimentation phenotype. Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of the BIMs uncovered mutations within a family 2 glycosyltransferase-encoding gene (orf06955_UCCSt50) located within the variable region of the cell wall-associated rhamnose-glucose polymer (Rgp) biosynthesis locus (designated the rgp gene cluster here). Complementation of a representative BIM, S. thermophilus B1, with native orf06955_UCCSt50 restored phage sensitivity comparable to that of the parent strain. Detailed bioinformatic analysis of the gene product of orf06955_UCCSt50 identified it as a functional homolog of the Lactococcus lactispolysaccharide pellicle (PSP) initiator WpsA. Biochemical analysis of cell wall fractions of strains UCCSt50 and B1 determined that mutations within orf06955_UCCSt50 result in the loss of the side chain decoration from the Rgp backbone structure. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the intact Rgp structure incorporating the side chain structure is essential for phage binding through fluorescence labeling studies. Overall, this study confirms that the rgp gene cluster of S. thermophilus encodes the biosynthetic machinery for a cell surface-associated polysaccharide that is essential for binding and subsequent infection by Brussowviruses, thus enhancing our understanding of S. thermophilus phage-host dynamics.

IMPORTANCEStreptococcus thermophilus is an important starter culture bacterium in global dairy fermentation processes, where it is used for the production of various cheeses and yogurt. Bacteriophage predation of the species can result in substandard product quality and, in rare cases, complete fermentation collapse. To mitigate these risks, it is necessary to understand the phage-host interaction process, which commences with the recognition of, and adsorption to, specific host-encoded cell surface receptors by bacteriophage(s). As new groups of S. thermophilus phages are being discovered, the importance of underpinning the genomic elements that specify the surface receptor(s) is apparent. Our research identifies a single gene that is critical for the biosynthesis of a saccharidic moiety required for phage adsorption to its S. thermophilus host. The acquired knowledge provides novel insights into phage-host interactions for this economically important starter species.

Cloning and expression analysis of fused holin-endolysin from RL bacteriophage; Exhibits broad activity against multi drug resistant pathogens

Antibiotic resistance has become a major risk to community health over last few years because of antibiotics overuse around the globe and lack of new antibiotics development. Phages and their lytic enzymes are considered as an effective alternative of antibiotics to control drug resistant bacterial pathogens. Endolysins prove to be a promising class of antibacterials due to their specificity and less chances of resistance development in bacterial pathogens. Though large number of endolysins has been reported against gram positive bacteria, very few reported against gram negative bacteria due to the presence of outer membrane, which acts as physical barrier against endolysin attack to peptidoglycan. In the current study, we have expressed endolysin (RL_Lys) and holin fused at the N terminus of endolysin (RL_Hlys) from RL phage infecting multi drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Both endolysin variants were found active against wide range of MDR strains P. aeruginosa, Klebsella pneumonia, Salmonella Sp. and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Broth reduction assay showed that RL_Hlys is more active than RL_Lys due to presence of holin, which assist the endolysin access towards cell wall. The protein ligand docking and molecular dynamic simulation results showed that C- terminus region of endolysin play vital role in cell wall binding and even in the absence of holin, hydrolyze a broad range of gram negative bacterial pathogens. The significant activity of RL-Lys and RL_Hlys against a broad range of MDR gram negative and positive bacterial pathogens makes them good candidates for antibiotic alternatives.

Dairy lactococcal and streptococcal phage-host interactions: an industrial perspective in an evolving phage landscape

Almost a century has elapsed since the discovery of bacteriophages (phages), and 85 years have passed since the emergence of evidence that phages can infect starter cultures, thereby impacting dairy fermentations. Soon afterward, research efforts were undertaken to investigate phage interactions regarding starter strains. Investigations into phage biology and morphology and phage-host relationships have been aimed at mitigating the negative impact phages have on the fermented dairy industry. From the viewpoint of a supplier of dairy starter cultures, this review examines the composition of an industrial phage collection, providing insight into the development of starter strains and cultures and the evolution of phages in the industry. Research advances in the diversity of phages and structural bases for phage-host recognition and an overview of the perpetual arms race between phage virulence and host defense are presented, with a perspective toward the development of improved phage-resistant starter culture systems.

Wine Phenolic Compounds Differently Affect the Host-Killing Activity of Two Lytic Bacteriophages Infecting the Lactic Acid Bacterium Oenococcus oeni

To provide insights into phage-host interactions during winemaking, we assessed whether phenolic compounds modulate the phage predation of Oenococcus oeni. Centrifugal partition chromatography was used to fractionate the phenolic compounds of a model red wine. The ability of lytic oenophage OE33PA to kill its host was reduced in the presence of two collected fractions in which we identified five compounds. Three, namely, quercetin, myricetin and p-coumaric acid, significantly reduced the phage predation of O. oeni when provided as individual pure molecules, as also did other structurally related compounds such as cinnamic acid. Their presence was correlated with a reduced adsorption rate of phage OE33PA on its host. Strikingly, none of the identified compounds affected the killing activity of the distantly related lytic phage Vinitor162. OE33PA and Vinitor162 were shown to exhibit different entry mechanisms to penetrate into bacterial cells. We propose that ligand-receptor interactions that mediate phage adsorption to the cell surface are diverse in O. oeni and are subject to differential interference by phenolic compounds. Their presence did not induce any modifications in the cell surface as visualized by TEM. Interestingly, docking analyses suggest that quercetin and cinnamic acid may interact with the tail of OE33PA and compete with host recognition.

Revisiting the host adhesion determinants of Streptococcus thermophilus siphophages

Available 3D structures of bacteriophage modules combined with predictive bioinformatic algorithms enabled the identification of adhesion modules in 57 siphophages infecting Streptococcus thermophilus (St). We identified several carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) in so-called evolved distal tail (Dit) and tail-associated lysozyme (Tal) proteins of St phage baseplates. We examined the open reading frame (ORF) downstream of the Tal-encoding ORF and uncovered the presence of a putative p2-like receptor-binding protein (RBP). A 21 Å resolution electron microscopy structure of the baseplate of cos-phage STP1 revealed the presence of six elongated electron densities, surrounding the core of the baseplate, that harbour the p2-like RBPs at their tip. To verify the functionality of these modules, we expressed GFP- or mCherry-coupled Tal and putative RBP CBMs and observed by fluorescence microscopy that both modules bind to their corresponding St host, the putative RBP CBM with higher affinity than the Tal-associated one. The large number of CBM functional domains in St phages suggests that they play a contributory role in the infection process, a feature that we previously described in lactococcal phages and beyond, possibly representing a universal feature of the siphophage host-recognition apparatus.

Glycotyping and Specific Separation of Listeria monocytogenes with a Novel Bacteriophage Protein Tool Kit

Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen that presents a major concern to the food industry due to its propensity to cause foodborne illness. The Listeria genus contains 15 different serovars, with most of the variance depending on the wall-associated teichoic acid glycopolymers, which confer somatic antigenicity. Strains belonging to serovars 1/2 and 4b cause the vast majority of listeriosis cases and outbreaks, meaning that regulators, as well as the food industry itself, have an interest in rapidly identifying isolates of these particular serovars in food processing environments. Current methods for phenotypic serovar differentiation are slow and lack accuracy, and the food industry could benefit from new technologies allowing serovar-specific isolation. Therefore, the novel method described here for rapid glycotype determination could present a valuable asset to detect and control this bacterium.

The Gram-positive pathogen Listeria monocytogenes can be subdivided into at least 12 different serovars, based on the differential expression of a set of somatic and flagellar antigens. Of note, strains belonging to serovars 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b cause the vast majority of foodborne listeriosis cases and outbreaks. The standard protocol for serovar determination involves an agglutination method using a set of sera containing cell surface-recognizing antibodies. However, this procedure is imperfect in both precision and practicality, due to discrepancies resulting from subjective interpretation. Furthermore, the exact antigenic epitopes remain unclear, due to the preparation of the absorbed sera and the complex nature of polyvalent antibody binding. Here, we present a novel method for quantitative somatic antigen differentiation using a set of recombinant affinity proteins (cell wall-binding domains and receptor-binding proteins) derived from a collection of Listeria bacteriophages. These proteins enable rapid, objective, and precise identification of the different teichoic acid glycopolymer structures, which represent the O-antigens, and allow a near-complete differentiation. This glycotyping approach confirmed serovar designations of over 60 previously characterized Listeria strains. Using select phage receptor-binding proteins coupled to paramagnetic beads, we also demonstrate the ability to specifically isolate serovar 1/2 or 4b cells from a mixed culture. In addition, glycotyping led to the discovery that strains designated serovar 4e actually possess an intermediate 4b-4d teichoic acid glycosylation pattern, underpinning the high discerning power and precision of this novel technique.

IMPORTANCEListeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen that presents a major concern to the food industry due to its propensity to cause foodborne illness. The Listeria genus contains 15 different serovars, with most of the variance depending on the wall-associated teichoic acid glycopolymers, which confer somatic antigenicity. Strains belonging to serovars 1/2 and 4b cause the vast majority of listeriosis cases and outbreaks, meaning that regulators, as well as the food industry itself, have an interest in rapidly identifying isolates of these particular serovars in food processing environments. Current methods for phenotypic serovar differentiation are slow and lack accuracy, and the food industry could benefit from new technologies allowing serovar-specific isolation. Therefore, the novel method described here for rapid glycotype determination could present a valuable asset to detect and control this bacterium.

Conserved and Diverse Traits of Adhesion Devices from Siphoviridae Recognizing Proteinaceous or Saccharidic Receptors

Bacteriophages can play beneficial roles in phage therapy and destruction of food pathogens. Conversely, they play negative roles as they infect bacteria involved in fermentation, resulting in serious industrial losses. Siphoviridae phages possess a long non-contractile tail and use a mechanism of infection whose first step is host recognition and binding. They have evolved adhesion devices at their tails' distal end, tuned to recognize specific proteinaceous or saccharidic receptors on the host's surface that span a large spectrum of shapes. In this review, we aimed to identify common patterns beyond this apparent diversity. To this end, we analyzed siphophage tail tips or baseplates, evaluating their known structures, where available, and uncovering patterns with bioinformatics tools when they were not. It was thereby identified that a triad formed by three proteins in complex, i.e., the tape measure protein (TMP), the distal tail protein (Dit), and the tail-associated lysozyme (Tal), is conserved in all phages. This common scaffold may harbor various functional extensions internally while it also serves as a platform for plug-in ancillary or receptor-binding proteins (RBPs). Finally, a group of siphophage baseplates involved in saccharidic receptor recognition exhibits an activation mechanism reminiscent of that observed in Myoviridae.

Three distinct glycosylation pathways are involved in the decoration of Lactococcus lactis cell wall glycopolymers

Extracytoplasmic sugar decoration of glycopolymer components of the bacterial cell wall contributes to their structural diversity. Typically, the molecular mechanism that underpins such a decoration process involves a three-component glycosylation system (TGS) represented by an undecaprenyl-phosphate (Und-P) sugar-activating glycosyltransferase (Und-P GT), a flippase, and a polytopic glycosyltransferase (PolM GT) dedicated to attaching sugar residues to a specific glycopolymer. Here, using bioinformatic analyses, CRISPR-assisted recombineering, structural analysis of cell wall-associated polysaccharides (CWPS) through MALDI-TOF MS and methylation analysis, we report on three such systems in the bacterium Lactococcus lactis On the basis of sequence similarities, we first identified three gene pairs, csdAB, csdCD, and csdEF, each encoding an Und-P GT and a PolM GT, as potential TGS component candidates. Our experimental results show that csdAB and csdCD are involved in Glc side-chain addition on the CWPS components rhamnan and polysaccharide pellicle (PSP), respectively, whereas csdEF plays a role in galactosylation of lipoteichoic acid (LTA). We also identified a potential flippase encoded in the L. lactis genome (llnz_02975, cflA) and confirmed that it participates in the glycosylation of the three cell wall glycopolymers rhamnan, PSP, and LTA, thus indicating that its function is shared by the three TGSs. Finally, we observed that glucosylation of both rhamnan and PSP can increase resistance to bacteriophage predation and that LTA galactosylation alters L. lactis resistance to bacteriocin.

Phage diversity, genomics and phylogeny

Recent advances in viral metagenomics have enabled the rapid discovery of an unprecedented catalogue of phages in numerous environments, from the human gut to the deep ocean. Although these advances have expanded our understanding of phage genomic diversity, they also revealed that we have only scratched the surface in the discovery of novel viruses. Yet, despite the remarkable diversity of phages at the nucleotide sequence level, the structural proteins that form viral particles show strong similarities and conservation. Phages are uniquely interconnected from an evolutionary perspective and undergo multiple events of genetic exchange in response to the selective pressure of their hosts, which drives their diversity. In this Review, we explore phage diversity at the structural, genomic and community levels as well as the complex evolutionary relationships between phages, moulded by the mosaicity of their genomes.

Phage Reduce Stability for Regaining Infectivity during Antagonistic Coevolution with Host Bacterium

The coevolution between phage and host bacterium is an important force that drives the evolution of the microbial community, yet the coevolution mechanisms have still not been well analyzed. Here, by analyzing the interaction between a Bacillus phage vB_BthS_BMBphi and its host bacterium, the coevolution mechanisms of the first-generation phage-resistant bacterial mutants and regained-infectivity phage mutants were studied. The phage-resistant bacterial mutants showed several conserved mutations as a potential reason for acquiring phage resistance, including the mutation in flagellum synthesis protein FlhA and cell wall polysaccharide synthesis protein DltC. All the phage-resistant bacterial mutants showed a deleted first transmembrane domain of the flagellum synthesis protein FlhA. Meanwhile, the regain-infectivity phage mutants all contained mutations in three baseplate-associated phage tail proteins by one nucleotide, respectively. A polymorphism analysis of the three mutant nucleotides in the wild-type phage revealed that the mutations existed before the interaction of the phage and the bacterium, while the wild-type phage could not infect the phage-resistant bacterial mutants, which might be because the synchronized mutations of the three nucleotides were essential for regaining infectivity. This study for the first time revealed that the synergism mutation of three phage baseplate-associated proteins were essential for the phages’ regained infectivity. Although the phage mutants regained infectivity, their storage stability was decreased and the infectivity against the phage-resistant bacterial mutants was reduced, suggesting the phage realized the continuation of the species by way of “dying to survive”.

Modified Bacteriophage Tail Fiber Proteins for Labeling, Immobilization, Capture, and Detection of Bacteria

A critical component of bacterial detection assays is choosing a suitable affinity molecule that retains sensitivity and specificity for the target pathogen over a wide range of in situ applications. Bacteriophages (phages) are bacterial viruses that bind and infect their host cells with unmatched specificity. Phage host range is often determined by their long tail fibers (LTFs) that mediate adsorption of the virus particle to potential bacterial host cells, by binding to specific cell surface receptors. The inherent specificity of the LTFs for distinct bacterial species makes them ideal candidates for development into recombinant affinity molecules. In this chapter, we describe the development of the Salmonella phage S16 LTF (S16 LTF) into an affinity molecule as part of a novel assay to detect Salmonella cells. The enzyme-linked long tail fiber assay (ELLTA) involves two steps: (1) Immobilization and separation of Salmonella cells using S16 LTF-coated paramagnetic beads (LTF-MBs), and (2) Labeling of bead-captured Salmonella using horseradish peroxidase-conjugated S16 LTF (HRP-LTF). Rapid HRP-mediated conversion of a chromogenic substrate provides visual confirmation for the presence of Salmonella. Overall, the ELLTA assay requires as little as 2 h to detect as few as 10² cfu/ml Salmonella cells from liquid culture. The absorbance of the enzyme-generated color substrate is largely proportional to the present bacterial concentrations between 10² and 10⁷ cfu/ml, providing semiquantitative determination of Salmonella cell counts. The methodology described in this chapter can be adapted for other phage receptor-binding proteins, to develop ELLTAs for the detection of other relevant bacterial pathogens.

Cell Wall Glycans Mediate Recognition of the Dairy Bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus by Bacteriophages

Streptococcus thermophilus is widely used in starter cultures for cheese and yoghurt production. During dairy fermentations, infections of bacteria with bacteriophages result in acidification failures and a lower quality of the final products. An understanding of the molecular factors involved in phage-host interactions, in particular, the phage receptors in dairy bacteria, is a crucial step for developing better strategies to prevent phage infections in dairy plants.

Receptors on the cell surfaces of bacterial hosts are essential during the infection cycle of bacteriophages. To date, the phage receptors of the industrial relevant dairy starter bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus remain elusive. Thus, we set out to identify cell surface structures that are involved in host recognition by dairy streptococcal phages. Five industrial S. thermophilus strains sensitive to different phages (pac type, cos type, and the new type 987), were selected to generate spontaneous bacteriophage-insensitive mutants (BIMs). Of these, approximately 50% were deselected as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) mutants, while the other pool was further characterized to identify receptor mutants. On the basis of genome sequencing data, phage resistance in putative receptor mutants was attributed to nucleotide changes in genes encoding glycan biosynthetic pathways. Superresolution structured illumination microscopy was used to visualize the interactions between S. thermophilus and its phages. The phages were either regularly distributed along the cells or located at division sites of the cells. The cell wall structures mediating the latter type of phage adherence were further analyzed via phenotypic and biochemical assays. Altogether, our data suggested that phage adsorption to S. thermophilus is mediated by glycans associated with the bacterial cell surface. Specifically, the pac-type phage CHPC951 adsorbed to polysaccharides anchored to peptidoglycan, while the 987-type phage CHPC926 recognized exocellular polysaccharides associated with the cell surface.

IMPORTANCEStreptococcus thermophilus is widely used in starter cultures for cheese and yoghurt production. During dairy fermentations, infections of bacteria with bacteriophages result in acidification failures and a lower quality of the final products. An understanding of the molecular factors involved in phage-host interactions, in particular, the phage receptors in dairy bacteria, is a crucial step for developing better strategies to prevent phage infections in dairy plants.

Characterization and induction of prophages in human gut-associated Bifidobacterium hosts

In the current report, we describe the identification of three genetically distinct groups of prophages integrated into three different chromosomal sites of human gut-associated Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium longum strains. These bifidobacterial prophages are distantly related to temperate actinobacteriophages of several hosts. Some prophages, integrated within the dnaJ₂ gene, are competent for induction, excision, replication, assembly and lysis, suggesting that they are fully functional and can generate infectious particles, even though permissive hosts have not yet been identified. Interestingly, several of these phages harbor a putative phase variation shufflon (the Rin system) that generates variation of the tail-associated receptor binding protein (RBP). Unlike the analogous coliphage-associated shufflon Min, or simpler Cin and Gin inversion systems, Rin is predicted to use a tyrosine recombinase to promote inversion, the first reported phage-encoded tyrosine-family DNA invertase. The identification of bifidobacterial prophages with RBP diversification systems that are competent for assembly and lysis, yet fail to propagate lytically under laboratory conditions, suggests dynamic evolution of bifidobacteria and their phages in the human gut.

Molecular Basis of Bacterial Host Interactions by Gram-Positive Targeting Bacteriophages

The inherent ability of bacteriophages (phages) to infect specific bacterial hosts makes them ideal candidates to develop into antimicrobial agents for pathogen-specific remediation in food processing, biotechnology, and medicine (e.g., phage therapy). Conversely, phage contaminations of fermentation processes are a major concern to dairy and bioprocessing industries. The first stage of any successful phage infection is adsorption to a bacterial host cell, mediated by receptor-binding proteins (RBPs). As the first point of contact, the binding specificity of phage RBPs is the primary determinant of bacterial host range, and thus defines the remediative potential of a phage for a given bacterium. Co-evolution of RBPs and their bacterial receptors has forced endless adaptation cycles of phage-host interactions, which in turn has created a diverse array of phage adsorption mechanisms utilizing an assortment of RBPs. Over the last decade, these intricate mechanisms have been studied intensely using electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography, providing atomic-level details of this fundamental stage in the phage infection cycle. This review summarizes current knowledge surrounding the molecular basis of host interaction for various socioeconomically important Gram-positive targeting phage RBPs to their protein- and saccharide-based receptors. Special attention is paid to the abundant and best-characterized Siphoviridae family of tailed phages. Unravelling these complex phage-host dynamics is essential to harness the full potential of phage-based technologies, or for generating novel strategies to combat industrial phage contaminations.

A Decade of Streptococcus thermophilus Phage Evolution in an Irish Dairy Plant

Phages of Streptococcus thermophilus present a major threat to the production of many fermented dairy products. To date, only a few studies have assessed the biodiversity of S. thermophilus phages in dairy fermentations. In order to develop strategies to limit phage predation in this important industrial environment, it is imperative that such studies are undertaken and that phage-host interactions of this species are better defined. The present study investigated the biodiversity and evolution of phages within an Irish dairy fermentation facility over an 11-year period. This resulted in the isolation of 17 genetically distinct phages, all of which belong to the so-called cos group. The evolution of phages within the factory appears to be influenced by phages from other dairy plants introduced into the factory for whey protein powder production. Modular exchange, primarily within the regions encoding lysogeny and replication functions, was the major observation among the phages isolated between 2006 and 2016. Furthermore, the genotype of the first isolate in 2006 was observed continuously across the following decade, highlighting the ability of these phages to prevail in the factory setting for extended periods of time. The proteins responsible for host recognition were analyzed, and carbohydrate-binding domains (CBDs) were identified in the distal tail (Dit), the baseplate proteins, and the Tail-associated lysin (Tal) variable regions (VR1 and VR2) of many isolates. This supports the notion that S. thermophilus phages recognize a carbohydrate receptor on the cell surface of their host.IMPORTANCE Dairy fermentations are consistently threatened by the presence of bacterial viruses (bacteriophages or phages), which may lead to a reduction in acidification rates or even complete loss of the fermentate. These phages may persist in factories for long periods of time. The objective of the current study was to monitor the progression of phages infecting the dairy bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus over a period of 11 years in an Irish dairy plant so as to understand how these phages evolve. A focused analysis of the genomic region that encodes host recognition functions highlighted that the associated proteins harbor a variety of carbohydrate-binding domains, which corroborates the notion that phages of S. thermophilus recognize carbohydrate receptors at the initial stages of the phage cycle.

Host recognition by lactic acid bacterial phages

Bacteriophage infection of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is one of the most significant causes of inconsistencies in the manufacture of fermented foods, affecting production schedules and organoleptic properties of the final product. Consequently, LAB phages, and particularly those infecting Lactococcus lactis, have been the focus of intensive research efforts. During the past decade, multidisciplinary scientific approaches have uncovered molecular details on the exquisite process of how a lactococcal phage recognises and binds to its host. Such approaches have incorporated genomic/molecular analyses and their partnership with phage structural analysis and host cell wall biochemical studies are discussed in this review, which will also provide our views on future directions of this research field.

Review of the nature, diversity and structure of bacteriophage receptor binding proteins that target Gram-positive bacteria

As the importance of bacteriophages as novel antimicrobials and potential diagnostics comes increasingly into focus, there is a heightened interest in understanding the mechanisms of how they interact with their bacterial hosts. The first step of a bacteriophage (phage) infection is the recognition of specific moieties on the bacterial cell surface as determined by their phage receptor binding proteins (RBPs). Knowledge of RBPs and how they interact with bacteria has been driven by studies of model phages and of industrially important phages, such as those that impact the dairy industry. Therefore, data from these phage groups constitute the majority of this review. We start with a brief introduction to phages, their life cycles and known receptors. We then review the state-of-the-art knowledge of phage RBPs of Gram-positive bacteria in the context of the better understood Gram-negative bacterial RBPs. In general, more is known about the RBPs of siphoviruses than myoviruses, which is reflected here, but for both virus families, where possible, we show what RBPs are, how they are arranged within phage genomes and what is known about their structures. As RBPs are the key determinant of phage specificity, studying and characterising them is important, for downstream applications such as diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Biodiversity of bacteriophages infecting Lactococcus lactis starter cultures

In the current study, we characterized 137 Lactococcus lactis bacteriophages that had been isolated between 1997 and 2012 from whey samples obtained from industrial facilities located in 16 countries. Multiplex PCR grouping of these 137 phage isolates revealed that the majority (61.31%) belonged to the 936 group, with the remainder belonging to the P335 and c2 groups (23.36 and 15.33%, respectively). Restriction profile analysis of phage genomic DNA indicated a high degree of genetic diversity within this phage collection. Furthermore, based on a host-range survey of the phage collection using 113 dairy starter strains, we showed that the c2-group isolates exhibited a broader host range than isolates of the 936 and P335 groups.

Structure of the host-recognition device of Staphylococcus aureus phage ϕ11

Phages play key roles in the pathogenicity and adaptation of the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. However, little is known about the molecular recognition events that mediate phage adsorption to the surface of S. aureus. The lysogenic siphophage ϕ11 infects S. aureus SA113. It was shown previously that ϕ11 requires α- or β-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) moieties on cell wall teichoic acid (WTA) for adsorption. Gp45 was identified as the receptor binding protein (RBP) involved in this process and GlcNAc residues on WTA were found to be the key component of the ϕ11 receptor. Here we report the crystal structure of the RBP of ϕ11, which assembles into a large, multidomain homotrimer. Each monomer contains a five-bladed propeller domain with a cavity that could accommodate a GlcNAc moiety. An electron microscopy reconstruction of the ϕ11 host adhesion component, the baseplate, reveals that six RBP trimers are assembled around the baseplate core. The Gp45 and baseplate structures provide insights into the overall organization and molecular recognition process of the phage ϕ11 tail. This assembly is conserved among most glycan-recognizing Siphoviridae, and the RBP orientation would allow host adhesion and infection without an activation step.

An essential role for the baseplate protein Gp45 in phage adsorption to Staphylococcus aureus

Despite the importance of phages in driving horizontal gene transfer (HGT) among pathogenic bacteria, the underlying molecular mechanisms mediating phage adsorption to S. aureus are still unclear. Phage ϕ11 is a siphovirus with a high transducing efficiency. Here, we show that the tail protein Gp45 localized within the ϕ11 baseplate. Phage ϕ11 was efficiently neutralized by anti-Gp45 serum, and its adsorption to host cells was inhibited by recombinant Gp45 in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that biotin-labelled Gp45 efficiently stained the wild-type S. aureus cell but not the double knockout mutant ΔtarM/S, which lacks both α- and β-O-GlcNAc residues on its wall teichoic acids (WTAs). Additionally, adsorption assays indicate that GlcNAc residues on WTAs and O-acetyl groups at the 6-position of muramic acid residues in peptidoglycan are essential components of the ϕ11 receptor. The elucidation of Gp45-involved molecular interactions not only broadens our understanding of siphovirus-mediated HGT, but also lays the groundwork for the development of sensitive affinity-based diagnostics and therapeutics for S. aureus infection.

The Tail Associated Protein of Acinetobacter baumannii Phage ΦAB6 Is the Host Specificity Determinant Possessing Exopolysaccharide Depolymerase Activity

Acinetobacter baumannii is a non-fermenting, gram-negative bacterium. In recent years, the frequency of A. baumannii infections has continued to increase, and multidrug-resistant strains are emerging in hospitalized patients. Therefore, as therapeutic options become limited, the potential of phages as natural antimicrobial agents to control infections is worth reconsidering. In our previous study, we isolated ten virulent double-stranded DNA A. baumannii phages, ϕAB1-9 and ϕAB11, and found that each has a narrow host range. Many reports indicate that receptor-binding protein of phage mediates host recognition; however, understanding of the specific interactions between A. baumannii and phages remains very limited. In this study, host determinants of A. baumannii phages were investigated. Sequence comparison of ϕAB6 and ϕAB1 revealed high degrees of conservation among their genes except the tail fiber protein (ORF41 in ϕAB1 and ORF40 in ϕAB6). Furthermore, we found that ORF40ϕAB6 has polysaccharide depolymerase activity capable of hydrolyzing the A. baumannii exopolysaccharide and is a component of the phage tail apparatus determining host specificity. Thus, the lytic phages and their associated depolymerase not only have potential as alternative therapeutic agents for treating A. baumannii infections but also provide useful and highly specific tools for studying host strain exopolysaccharides and producing glycoconjugate vaccines.

The Atomic Structure of the Phage Tuc2009 Baseplate Tripod Suggests that Host Recognition Involves Two Different Carbohydrate Binding Modules

The Gram-positive bacterium Lactococcus lactis, used for the production of cheeses and other fermented dairy products, falls victim frequently to fortuitous infection by tailed phages. The accompanying risk of dairy fermentation failures in industrial facilities has prompted in-depth investigations of these phages. Lactococcal phage Tuc2009 possesses extensive genomic homology to phage TP901-1. However, striking differences in the baseplate-encoding genes stimulated our interest in solving the structure of this host’s adhesion device. We report here the X-ray structures of phage Tuc2009 receptor binding protein (RBP) and of a “tripod” assembly of three baseplate components, BppU, BppA, and BppL (the RBP). These structures made it possible to generate a realistic atomic model of the complete Tuc2009 baseplate that consists of an 84-protein complex: 18 BppU, 12 BppA, and 54 BppL proteins. The RBP head domain possesses a different fold than those of phages p2, TP901-1, and 1358, while the so-called “stem” and “neck” domains share structural features with their equivalents in phage TP901-1. The BppA module interacts strongly with the BppU N-terminal domain. Unlike other characterized lactococcal phages, Tuc2009 baseplate harbors two different carbohydrate recognition sites: one in the bona fide RBP head domain and the other in BppA. These findings represent a major step forward in deciphering the molecular mechanism by which Tuc2009 recognizes its saccharidic receptor(s) on its host.

Understanding how siphophages infect Lactococcus lactis is of commercial importance as they cause milk fermentation failures in the dairy industry. In addition, such knowledge is crucial in a general sense in order to understand how viruses recognize their host through protein-glycan interactions. We report here the lactococcal phage Tuc2009 receptor binding protein (RBP) structure as well as that of its baseplate. The RBP head domain has a different fold than those of phages p2, TP901-1, and 1358, while the so-called “stem” and “neck” share the fold characteristics also found in the equivalent baseplate proteins of phage TP901-1. The baseplate structure contains, in contrast to other characterized lactococcal phages, two different carbohydrate binding modules that may bind different motifs of the host’s surface polysaccharide.

Phage-Host Interactions of Cheese-Making Lactic Acid Bacteria

Cheese production is a global biotechnological practice that is reliant on robust and technologically appropriate starter and adjunct starter cultures to acidify the milk and impart particular flavor and textural properties to specific cheeses. To this end, lactic acid bacteria, including Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Lactobacillus and Leuconostoc spp., are routinely employed. However, these bacteria are susceptible to infection by (bacterio)phages. Over the past decade in particular, significant advances have been achieved in defining the receptor molecules presented by lactococcal host bacteria and in the structural analysis of corresponding phage-encoded receptor-binding proteins. These lactococcal model systems are expanding toward understanding phage-host interactions of other LAB species. Ultimately, such scientific efforts will uncover the mechanistic (dis)similarities among these phages and define how these phages recognize and infect their hosts. This review presents the current status of the LAB-phage interactome, highlighting the most recent and significant developments in this active research field.

Some of the most interesting CASP11 targets through the eyes of their authors

The Critical Assessment of protein Structure Prediction (CASP) experiment would not have been possible without the prediction targets provided by the experimental structural biology community. In this article, selected crystallographers providing targets for the CASP11 experiment discuss the functional and biological significance of the target proteins, highlight their most interesting structural features, and assess whether these features were correctly reproduced in the predictions submitted to CASP11. Proteins 2016; 84(Suppl 1):34–50. © 2015 The Authors. Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A tail of two phages: genomic and functional analysis of Listeria monocytogenes phages vB_LmoS_188 and vB_LmoS_293 reveal the receptor-binding proteins involved in host specificity

The physical characteristics of bacteriophages establish them as viable candidates for downstream development of pathogen detection assays and biocontrol measures. To utilize phages for such purposes, a detailed knowledge of their host interaction mechanisms is a prerequisite. There is currently a wealth of knowledge available concerning Gram-negative phage-host interaction, but little by comparison for Gram-positive phages and Listeria phages in particular. In this research, the lytic spectrum of two recently isolated Listeria monocytogenes phages (vB_LmoS_188 and vB_LmoS_293) was determined, and the genomic basis for their observed serotype 4b/4e host-specificity was investigated using comparative genomics. The late tail genes of these phages were identified to be highly conserved when compared to other serovar 4-specific Listeria phages. Spontaneous mutants of each of these phages with broadened host specificities were generated. Their late tail gene sequences were compared with their wild-type counterparts resulting in the putative identification of the products of ORF 19 of vB_LmoS_188 and ORF 20 of vB_LmoS_293 as the receptor binding proteins of these phages. The research findings also indicate that conserved baseplate architectures and host interaction mechanisms exist for Listeria siphoviruses with differing host-specificities, and further contribute to the current knowledge of phage-host interactions with regard to Listeria phages.

Structure and Sialyllactose Binding of the Carboxy-Terminal Head Domain of the Fibre from a Siadenovirus, Turkey Adenovirus 3

The virulent form of turkey adenovirus 3 (TAdV-3), also known as turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus (THEV), is an economically important poultry pathogen, while the avirulent form is used as a vaccine. TAdV-3 belongs to the genus Siadenovirus. The carboxy-terminal region of its fibre does not have significant sequence similarity to any other adenovirus fibre heads of known structure. Two amino acid sequence differences between virulent and avirulent TAdV-3 map on the fibre head: where virulent TAdV-3 contains Ile354 and Thr376, avirulent TAdV-3 contains Met354 and Met376. We determined the crystal structures of the trimeric virulent and avirulent TAdV-3 fibre head domains at 2.2 Å resolution. Each monomer contains a beta-sandwich, which, surprisingly, resembles reovirus fibre head more than other adenovirus fibres, although the ABCJ-GHID topology is conserved in all. A beta-hairpin insertion in the C-strand of each trimer subunit embraces its neighbouring monomer. The avirulent and virulent TAdV-3 fibre heads are identical apart from the exact orientation of the beta-hairpin insertion. In vitro, sialyllactose was identified as a ligand by glycan microarray analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and crystallography. Its dissociation constant was measured to be in the mM range by isothermal titration calorimetry. The ligand binds to the side of the fibre head, involving amino acids Glu392, Thr419, Val420, Lys421, Asn422, and Gly423 binding to the sialic acid group. It binds slightly more strongly to the avirulent form. We propose that, in vivo, the TAdV-3 fibre may bind a sialic acid-containing cell surface component.

Structure and Biophysical Properties of a Triple-Stranded Beta-Helix Comprising the Central Spike of Bacteriophage T4

Gene product 5 (gp5) of bacteriophage T4 is a spike-shaped protein that functions to disrupt the membrane of the target cell during phage infection. Its C-terminal domain is a long and slender β-helix that is formed by three polypeptide chains wrapped around a common symmetry axis akin to three interdigitated corkscrews. The folding and biophysical properties of such triple-stranded β-helices, which are topologically related to amyloid fibers, represent an unsolved biophysical problem. Here, we report structural and biophysical characterization of T4 gp5 β-helix and its truncated mutants of different lengths. A soluble fragment that forms a dimer of trimers and that could comprise a minimal self-folding unit has been identified. Surprisingly, the hydrophobic core of the β-helix is small. It is located near the C-terminal end of the β-helix and contains a centrally positioned and hydrated magnesium ion. A large part of the β-helix interior comprises a large elongated cavity that binds palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids in an extended conformation suggesting that these molecules might participate in the folding of the complete β-helix.

Structure and Assembly of TP901-1 Virion Unveiled by Mutagenesis

Bacteriophages of the Siphoviridae family represent the most abundant viral morphology in the biosphere, yet many molecular aspects of their virion structure, assembly and associated functions remain to be unveiled. In this study, we present a comprehensive mutational and molecular analysis of the temperate Lactococcus lactis-infecting phage TP901-1. Fourteen mutations located within the structural module of TP901-1 were created; twelve mutations were designed to prevent full length translation of putative proteins by non-sense mutations, while two additional mutations caused aberrant protein production. Electron microscopy and Western blot analysis of mutant virion preparations, as well as in vitro assembly of phage mutant combinations, revealed the essential nature of many of the corresponding gene products and provided information on their biological function(s). Based on the information obtained, we propose a functional and assembly model of the TP901-1 Siphoviridae virion.

Proteomic Analysis of Interaction between a Plant Virus and Its Vector Insect Reveals New Functions of Hemipteran Cuticular Protein

Numerous viruses can be transmitted by their corresponding vector insects; however, the molecular mechanisms enabling virus transmission by vector insects have been poorly understood, especially the identity of vector components interacting with the virus. Here, we used the yeast two-hybrid system to study proteomic interactions of a plant virus (Rice stripe virus, RSV, genus Tenuivirus) with its vector insect, small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus). Sixty-six proteins of L. striatellus that interacted with the nucleocapsid protein (pc3) of RSV were identified. A virus-insect interaction network, constructed for pc3 and 29 protein homologs of Drosophila melanogaster, suggested that nine proteins might directly interact with pc3. Of the 66 proteins, five (atlasin, a novel cuticular protein, jagunal, NAC domain protein, and vitellogenin) were most likely to be involved in viral movement, replication, and transovarial transmission. This work also provides evidence that the novel cuticular protein, CPR1, from L. striatellus is essential for RSV transmission by its vector insect. CPR1 binds the nucleocapsid protein (pc3) of RSV both in vivo and in vitro and colocalizes with RSV in the hemocytes of L. striatellus. Knockdown of CPR1 transcription using RNA interference resulted in a decrease in the concentration of RSV in the hemolymph, salivary glands and in viral transmission efficiency. These data suggest that CPR1 binds RSV in the insect and stabilizes the viral concentration in the hemolymph, perhaps to protect the virus or to help move the virus to the salivary tissues. Our studies provide direct experimental evidence that viruses can use existing vector proteins to aid their survival in the hemolymph. Identifying these putative vector molecules should lead to a better understanding of the interactions between viruses and vector insects.

Bacteriophage module reshuffling results in adaptive host range as exemplified by the baseplate model of listerial phage A118

Each phage infects its specific bacterial host strain through highly specific interactions between the baseplate-associated receptor binding protein (RBP) at the tip of the phage tail and the receptor at the host surface. Baseplates incorporate structural core modules, Dit and Tal, largely conserved among phages, and peripheral modules anchoring the RBPs. Exploiting structural information from the HHpred program and EM data from the Bielmann et al. (2015) paper, a molecular model of the A118 phage baseplate was generated from different building blocks. This model implies the occurrence of baseplate module reshuffling and suggests that listerial phage A118 may have been derived from lactococcal phage TP901-1 through host species exchange. With the increase of available viral module structures, modelling phage baseplates will become easier and more reliant, and will provide insightful information on the nature of the phage host receptor and its mode of recognition.

Structural investigation of cell wall polysaccharides of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus 17

Lactobacilli are valuable strains for commercial (functional) food fermentations. Their cell surface-associated polysaccharides (sPSs) possess important functional properties, such as acting as receptors for bacteriophages (bacterial viruses), influencing autolytic characteristics and providing protection against antimicrobial peptides. The current report provides an elaborate molecular description of several surface carbohydrates of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strain 17. The cell surface of this strain was shown to contain short chain poly(glycerophosphate) teichoic acids and at least two different sPSs, designated here as sPS1 and sPS2, whose chemical structures were examined by 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and methylation analysis. Neutral branched sPS1, extracted with n-butanol, was shown to be composed of hexasaccharide repeating units (-[α-d-Glcp-(1-3)-]-4-β-l-Rhap2OAc-4-β-d-Glcp-[α-d-Galp-(1-3)]-4-α-Rhap-3-α-d-Galp-), while the major component of the TCA-extracted sPS2 was demonstrated to be a linear d-galactan with the repeating unit structure being (-[Gro-3P-(1-6)-]-3-β-Galf-3-α-Galp-2-β-Galf-6-β-Galf-3-β-Galp-).

Crystal structure of the fibre head domain of bovine adenovirus 4, a ruminant atadenovirus

Background

In adenoviruses, primary host cell recognition is generally performed by the head domains of their homo-trimeric fibre proteins. This first interaction is reversible. A secondary, irreversible interaction subsequently takes place via other adenovirus capsid proteins and leads to a productive infection. Although many fibre head structures are known for human mastadenoviruses, not many animal adenovirus fibre head structures have been determined, especially not from those belonging to adenovirus genera other than Mastadenovirus.

Methods

We constructed an expression vector for the fibre head domain from a ruminant atadenovirus, bovine adenovirus 4 (BAdV-4), consisting of amino acids 414–535, expressed the protein in Escherichia coli, purified it by metal affinity and cation exchange chromatography and crystallized it. The structure was solved using single isomorphous replacement plus anomalous dispersion of a mercury derivative and refined against native data that extended to 1.2 Å resolution.

Results

Like in other adenoviruses, the BAdV-4 fibre head monomer contains a beta-sandwich consisting of ABCJ and GHID sheets. The topology is identical to the fibre head of the other studied atadenovirus, snake adenovirus 1 (SnAdV-1), including the alpha-helix in the DG-loop, despite of them having a sequence identity of only 15 %. There are also differences which may have implications for ligand binding. Beta-strands G and H are longer and differences in several surface-loops and surface charge are observed.

Conclusions

Chimeric adenovirus fibres have been used to retarget adenovirus-based anti-cancer and gene therapy vectors. Ovine adenovirus 7 (OAdV-7), another ruminant atadenovirus, is intensively tested as a basis for such a vector. Here, we present the high-resolution atomic structure of the BAdV-4 fibre head domain, the second atadenovirus fibre head structure known and the first of an atadenovirus that infects a mammalian host. Future research should focus on the receptor-binding properties of these fibre head domains.

The targeted recognition of Lactococcus lactis phages to their polysaccharide receptors

Each phage infects a limited number of bacterial strains through highly specific interactions of the receptor-binding protein (RBP) at the tip of phage tail and the receptor at the bacterial surface. Lactococcus lactis is covered with a thin polysaccharide pellicle (hexasaccharide repeating units), which is used by a subgroup of phages as a receptor. Using L. lactis and phage 1358 as a model, we investigated the interaction between the phage RBP and the pellicle hexasaccharide of the host strain. A core trisaccharide (TriS), derived from the pellicle hexasaccharide repeating unit, was chemically synthesised, and the crystal structure of the RBP/TriS complex was determined. This provided unprecedented structural details of RBP/receptor site-specific binding. The complete hexasaccharide repeating unit was modelled and found to aptly fit the extended binding site. The specificity observed in in vivo phage adhesion assays could be interpreted in view of the reported structure. Therefore, by combining synthetic carbohydrate chemistry, X-ray crystallography and phage plaquing assays, we suggest that phage adsorption results from distinct recognition of the RBP towards the core TriS or the remaining residues of the hexasacchride receptor. This study provides a novel insight into the adsorption process of phages targeting saccharides as their receptors.

Lactococcal 949 group phages recognize a carbohydrate receptor on the host cell surface

Lactococcal bacteriophages represent one of the leading causes of dairy fermentation failure and product inconsistencies. A new member of the lactococcal 949 phage group, named WRP3, was isolated from cheese whey from a Sicilian factory in 2011. The genome sequence of this phage was determined, and it constitutes the largest lactococcal phage genome currently known, at 130,008 bp. Detailed bioinformatic analysis of the genomic region encoding the presumed initiator complex and baseplate of WRP3 has aided in the functional assignment of several open reading frames (ORFs), particularly that for the receptor binding protein required for host recognition. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the 949 phages target cell wall phospho-polysaccharides as their receptors, accounting for the specificity of the interactions of these phages with their lactococcal hosts. Such information may ultimately aid in the identification of strains/strain blends that do not present the necessary saccharidic target for infection by these problematic phages.

Complete genome of Chinese sacbrood virus from Apis cerana and analysis of the 3C-like cysteine protease

The complete genome sequence of Chinese sacbrood virus (CSBV), isolated from diseased larvae of Apis cerana in Fujian province, China was analyzed. The viral genome consisted of 8,800 nucleotides, encoding 2,848 amino acids. A phylogenetic tree analysis showed the sacbrood virus (SBV) segregated into three distinct groups. The isolates originated from A. c. indica and were the first distinct evolutionary group. The AcSBV-SBM2 isolate, from A. c. cerana, belonged to the second distinct group. The remaining SBV isolates formed the third group. The phylogenetic relationships of SBV isolates suggest that they are derived from similar honeybee species or geographic origins. The 3C-like cysteine protease protein plays an important role in viral replication. The 3C-like cysteine protease protein of CSBV-FZ was predicted to contain a transmembrane domain. The subcellular localization of 3C-like cysteine protease was distributed as discrete punctate inclusions and co-localized with VP1 of CSBV. These results suggest that the non-structural protein 3C-like cysteine protease might be involved in viral replication. Insect cell cultures can further advance our understanding of picorna-like virus replication.

Crystal structure of the fibre head domain of the Atadenovirus Snake Adenovirus 1

Adenoviruses are non-enveloped icosahedral viruses with trimeric fibre proteins protruding from their vertices. There are five known genera, from which only Mastadenoviruses have been widely studied. Apart from studying adenovirus as a biological model system and with a view to prevent or combat viral infection, there is a major interest in using adenovirus for vaccination, cancer therapy and gene therapy purposes. Adenoviruses from the Atadenovirus genus have been isolated from squamate reptile hosts, ruminants and birds and have a characteristic gene organization and capsid morphology. The carboxy-terminal virus-distal fibre head domains are likely responsible for primary receptor recognition. We determined the high-resolution crystal structure of the Snake Adenovirus 1 (SnAdV-1) fibre head using the multi-wavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD) method. Despite the absence of significant sequence homology, this Atadenovirus fibre head has the same beta-sandwich propeller topology as other adenovirus fibre heads. However, it is about half the size, mainly due to much shorter loops connecting the beta-strands. The detailed structure of the SnAdV-1 fibre head and other animal adenovirus fibre heads, together with the future identification of their natural receptors, may lead to the development of new strategies to target adenovirus vectors to cells of interest.

Progress in lactic acid bacterial phage research

Research on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has advanced significantly over the past number of decades and these developments have been driven by the parallel advances in technologies such as genomics, bioinformatics, protein expression systems and structural biology, combined with the ever increasing commercial relevance of this group of microorganisms. Some of the more significant and impressive outputs have been in the domain of bacteriophage-host interactions which provides a prime example of the cutting-edge model systems represented by LAB research. Here, we present a retrospective overview of the key advances in LAB phage research including phage-host interactions and co-evolution. We describe how in many instances this knowledge can be pivotal in creating real improvements in the application of LAB cultures in commercial practice.

Replication of Chinese sacbrood virus in primary cell cultures of Asian honeybee (Apis cerana)

A primary cell culture system was established for the first time from embryonic tissues of Asian honeybee, Apis cerana, and used to trace the early infection process of Chinese sacbrood virus (CSBV), an iflavirus in the family Iflaviridae. A monolayer of epithelium-like cells of A. cerana, approximately 8-10 μm in diameter, was grown in Kimura's insect medium at 28 °C within 3-4 days of setting up the cultures. Such cultured cells were inoculated with CSBV purified from infected larvae or pupae for 2 h. In electron and confocal micrographs, viral particles accumulated as filamentous or vesicular inclusions in the cytoplasm of infected cultured cells at 36 h post-inoculation (hpi). Real-time quantitative RT-PCR assay showed that the expression levels of four cistrons of CSBV in the cultured cells increased rapidly between 12 and 48 hpi. This newly established primary cell culture derived from A. cerana will be useful for further studies of infection caused by CSBV.

Localization and distribution of wheat dwarf virus in its vector leafhopper, Psammotettix alienus

Numerous virus pathogens are transmitted by specific arthropod vectors. Understanding the mechanism of transmission is a critical step in the epidemiology of plant viruses and is crucial for the development of effective disease control strategies. In this study, we describe the localization and distribution of Wheat dwarf virus (WDV), an economically important and widespread single-stranded DNA virus, in its leafhopper vector, Psammotettix alienus. The results suggest that WDV not only can move to the salivary glands from the anterior and middle midgut via the hemocoel but also can pass directly through the sheath of the filter chamber and be readily transmitted to healthy wheat plants within 5 min of an acquisition access period on infected plants. When a bacterial-expressed recombinant capsid protein (CP) was incubated with the internal organs of leafhoppers, CP-immunoreactive antigens were found at the anterior and middle midgut. Furthermore, when leafhoppers were fed with an antiserum raised against the CP, the accumulation of WDV in the gut cells, hemocoel, and salivary glands was significantly reduced. These data provide evidence that transmission of WDV is determined by a CP-mediated virion-vector retention mechanism.

Cryo-electron microscopy structure of lactococcal siphophage 1358 virion

Lactococcus lactis, a Gram(+) lactic acid-producing bacterium used for the manufacture of several fermented dairy products, is subject to infection by diverse virulent tailed phages, leading to industrial fermentation failures. This constant viral risk has led to a sustained interest in the study of their biology, diversity, and evolution. Lactococcal phages now constitute a wide ensemble of at least 10 distinct genotypes within the Caudovirales order, many of them belonging to the Siphoviridae family. Lactococcal siphophage 1358, currently the only member of its group, displays a noticeably high genomic similarity to some Listeria phages as well as a host range limited to a few L. lactis strains. These genomic and functional characteristics stimulated our interest in this phage. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the complete 1358 virion. Phage 1358 exhibits noteworthy features, such as a capsid with dextro handedness and protruding decorations on its capsid and tail. Observations of the baseplate of virion particles revealed at least two conformations, a closed and an open, activated form. Functional assays uncovered that the adsorption of phage 1358 to its host is Ca(2+) independent, but this cation is necessary to complete its lytic cycle. Taken together, our results provide the complete structural picture of a unique lactococcal phage and expand our knowledge on the complex baseplate of phages of the Siphoviridae family.

IMPORTANCE

Phages of Lactococcus lactis are investigated mainly because they are sources of milk fermentation failures in the dairy industry. Despite the availability of several antiphage measures, new phages keep emerging in this ecosystem. In this study, we provide the cryo-electron microscopy reconstruction of a unique lactococcal phage that possesses genomic similarity to particular Listeria phages and has a host range restricted to only a minority of L. lactis strains. The capsid of phage 1358 displays the almost unique characteristic of being dextro handed. Its capsid and tail exhibit decorations that we assigned to nonspecific sugar binding modules. We observed the baseplate of 1358 in two conformations, a closed and an open form. We also found that the adsorption to its host, but not infection, is Ca(2+) independent. Overall, this study advances our understanding of the adhesion mechanisms of siphophages.

Interactions of the cell-wall glycopolymers of lactic acid bacteria with their bacteriophages

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are Gram positive bacteria widely used in the production of fermented food in particular cheese and yoghurts. Bacteriophage infections during fermentation processes have been for many years a major industrial concern and have stimulated numerous research efforts. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of bacteriophage interactions with their host bacteria is required for the development of efficient strategies to fight against infections. The bacterial cell wall plays key roles in these interactions. First, bacteriophages must adsorb at the bacterial surface through specific interactions with receptors that are cell wall components. At next step, phages must overcome the barrier constituted by cell wall peptidoglycan (PG) to inject DNA inside bacterial cell. Also at the end of the infection cycle, phages synthesize endolysins able to hydrolyze PG and lyse bacterial cells to release phage progeny. In the last decade, concomitant development of genomics and structural analysis of cell wall components allowed considerable advances in the knowledge of their structure and function in several model LAB. Here, we describe the present knowledge on the structure of the cell wall glycopolymers of the best characterized LAB emphasizing their structural variations and we present the available data regarding their role in bacteria-phage specific interactions at the different steps of the infection cycle.