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Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
Published on: June 11, 2015
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Genomic and transcriptomic insights into complex virus-prokaryote interactions in marine biofilms
Kun Zhou1,2,3, Tin Yan Wong4, Lexin Long1
1Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
The ISME Journal
|October 24, 2023
Summary
Marine viruses actively interact with prokaryotes in biofilms, influencing microbial communities. Biofilm bacteria possess more defense genes than those in seawater, suggesting biofilms shape viral dynamics and microbial evolution.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Virology
- Biofilm ecology
Background:
- Marine biofilms harbor complex microbial communities dominated by prokaryotes.
- The ecological roles and interactions between viruses and prokaryotes within marine biofilms are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate virus-prokaryote interactions in marine biofilms.
- To characterize viral and prokaryotic genes involved in these interactions.
- To compare microbial defense strategies in biofilms versus open seawater.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of metagenomic data from 84 marine biofilms.
- Identification of virus-prokaryote connections and gene content (auxiliary metabolic genes, restriction-modification systems, antiviral defense genes).
- Transcriptomic analysis of newly established biofilms and comparison with seawater samples.
Main Results:
- Identified 2446 virus-prokaryote connections, primarily between Uroviricota phages and Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Bacteroidota bacteria.
- Revealed complex virus-host networks with viruses infecting multiple hosts and vice versa.
- Detected numerous auxiliary metabolic genes, restriction-modification systems, and prokaryotic antiviral defense systems, with active gene expression in biofilms.
- Biofilm prokaryotes exhibit significantly more abundant and distinct antiviral defense genes compared to seawater prokaryotes.
Conclusions:
- Marine biofilms harbor actively interacting viruses and prokaryotes.
- These interactions drive the evolution of prokaryotic antiviral defense mechanisms within biofilms.
- Biofilms may act as reservoirs for defense-proficient prokaryotes, potentially modulating viral infectivity in the wider ocean.
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