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Staphylococcal pathogenicity islands-movers and shakers in the genomic firmament

Richard P Novick1, Geeta Ram1

  • 1Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, 540 First Ave., New York, NY 10016, USA.

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|November 5, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcal pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) interfere with helper phages, impacting phage evolution and promoting gene transfer. These mobile genetic elements are crucial for staphylococcal virulence and bacterial genome evolution.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Staphylococcal pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) are mobile genetic elements carrying virulence factors.
  • SaPIs are mobilized by helper phages, which induce their replication and transfer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent studies on SaPI interference with helper phage reproduction.
  • To highlight the impact of SaPIs on phage evolution and lateral gene transfer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on SaPIs and helper phages.
  • Analysis of mechanisms of SaPI interference and their evolutionary consequences.

Main Results:

  • Three distinct mechanisms of SaPI interference with helper phage reproduction were identified.
  • Helper phage mutations conferring resistance to SaPI interference influence phage evolution.
  • SaPIs significantly contribute to the lateral transfer of host genes and their own transfer.

Conclusions:

  • SaPIs play a critical role in staphylococcal virulence and genome evolution.
  • SaPIs are widespread in Gram-positive cocci, with demonstrated functionality in staphylococci.
  • Understanding SaPI-phage interactions provides insights into bacterial evolution and horizontal gene transfer.

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