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Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteriophage L5 Which Requires Type IV Pili for Infection

Lan Yang1, Tingting Zhang1,2, Linlin Li1

  • 1Shanghai Institute of Phage, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|July 18, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study characterizes Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage L5, identifying type IV pili as its host receptor. This finding supports L5 as a potential phage therapy candidate against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant opportunistic pathogen, frequently causing multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections.
  • Phage therapy is regaining interest for treating MDR bacterial infections, necessitating understanding of phage-host interactions.
  • Identifying specific phage receptors is critical for effective phage therapy selection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the bacteriophage L5 infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • To determine the host receptor utilized by phage L5 for infection.

Main Methods:

  • Genomic sequencing and analysis of bacteriophage L5.
  • Identification of phage receptors through genetic analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants.
  • Mutation and complementation studies of the pilZ gene involved in type IV pili synthesis.

Main Results:

  • Phage L5 possesses a double-stranded DNA genome (42,925 bp) and belongs to the Autographivirinae subfamily.
  • Type IV pili were identified as the specific host receptors for phage L5.
  • Mutations in pilZ, essential for pili synthesis, conferred resistance to phage L5 infection, which was restored upon complementation.

Conclusions:

  • Phage L5 is a lytic bacteriophage with potential for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.
  • The identification of type IV pili as L5 receptors provides crucial information for phage therapy applications.
  • Further research into L5 and its receptor interactions can advance phage therapy strategies against P. aeruginosa.
Keywords:
AutographivirinaePseudomonas aeruginosaphage (bacteriophage)phage receptorsphage-host interaction

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