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Drivers and consequences of bacteriophage host range.
Dominique Holtappels1, Poliane Alfenas-Zerbini2, Britt Koskella1,3
1Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States.
FEMS Microbiology Reviews
|July 8, 2023
Summary
Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, have a host range influenced by genetics and environment. Understanding this range is crucial for phage therapies and predicting bacterial evolution.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Ecology
Background:
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, exhibiting a wide range of bacterial hosts.
- The "host range" of bacteriophages is determined by genetic and morphological factors of both phage and host, as well as environmental conditions.
- Understanding bacteriophage host range is vital for predicting their ecological impact, evolutionary trajectories, and therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the molecular and ecological drivers of bacteriophage infection and host range.
- To evaluate intrinsic, transient, and environmental factors influencing bacteriophage infection and replication.
- To discuss the evolutionary implications of bacteriophage host range and its impact on bacterial populations.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular mechanisms governing phage-host interactions.
- Analysis of ecological factors influencing phage infectivity.
- Evaluation of evolutionary dynamics driven by phage-host interactions.
Main Results:
- Bacteriophage host range is a complex trait shaped by multifaceted interactions.
- Intrinsic, transient, and environmental factors significantly influence phage infection and replication.
- Phage-host interactions drive bacterial evolution, including horizontal gene transfer.
Conclusions:
- The host range of bacteriophages has significant implications for phage-based applications and natural microbial community dynamics.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the drivers of phage host range and its evolutionary consequences.
- Phage-based therapeutics are regaining focus, necessitating a deeper understanding of phage biology.
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