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The Diverse Impacts of Phage Morons on Bacterial Fitness and Virulence

Véronique L Taylor1, Alexa D Fitzpatrick1, Zafrin Islam1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Advances in Virus Research
|January 13, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophages (phages), abundant viruses, encode genes called morons that enhance bacterial survival and fitness. These phage morons contribute to bacterial virulence and antibiotic resistance, impacting disease dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Bacteriophages (phages) are the most abundant biological entities on Earth.
  • Phages control bacterial populations via killing or lysogeny, where phage survival depends on the host.
  • Phages encode genes ('morons') that confer bacterial fitness advantages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse benefits conferred by phage morons on bacterial hosts.
  • To highlight the role of morons in bacterial adaptation and pathogenesis.
  • To explore moron-mediated impacts on phage and antibiotic resistance, motility, adhesion, and quorum sensing.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a review of existing literature.
  • Analysis of scientific publications on phage morons and their functions.
  • Synthesis of information on moron-encoded fitness factors and their mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Phage morons significantly increase bacterial fitness through various mechanisms.
  • Morons contribute to bacterial survival in human infections, acting as virulence factors.
  • Key benefits include enhanced phage and antibiotic resistance, improved motility, and modified adhesion and quorum sensing.

Conclusions:

  • Phage morons are crucial genetic elements that enhance bacterial survival, adaptation, and pathogenicity.
  • Understanding morons provides insights into bacterial disease mechanisms and phage-host interactions.
  • Phage morons represent a significant factor in bacterial evolution and infectious disease.
Keywords:
Bacterial virulenceBacteriophageLysogenLysogenyMoronsPhageProphage

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