Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025
06:10
Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda
Published on: October 14, 2011
23.6K
A bacterial host factor confines phage localization for excluding the infected compartment through cell division
Osher Pollak Fiyaksel1, Somavally Pundalik Dalvi2, Bing Zhou1
1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Post Office Box 12272, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel.
Cell Reports
|July 11, 2025
Summary
Bacteria use a host factor, YjbH, to confine bacteriophage (phage) production within a specific cell compartment. This defense mechanism traps phages, limiting their spread and aiding host survival.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Viruses often induce host cell compartmentalization for replication.
- Bacterial defense mechanisms against viral infection are crucial for host survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a novel host-derived confinement mechanism for bacteriophage production in Bacillus subtilis.
- To identify host factors involved in limiting phage spread.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial genetics and microscopy in Bacillus subtilis.
- Characterization of bacteriophage-bacteria interactions.
- Analysis of host factor YjbH's role in phage DNA binding and protein synthesis.
Main Results:
- Identified YjbH as a host factor that limits phage plaque expansion.
- YjbH binds phage DNA at the injection site and restricts phage component synthesis.
- YjbH recruits bacterial division machinery to compartmentalize phage production.
Conclusions:
- A host-derived confinement mechanism, mediated by YjbH, effectively cages bacteriophages within infected bacterial cells.
- This mechanism restricts viral spread through cell division and compartmentalization.
- The 'exclude and survive' strategy may be a prevalent bacterial defense against phages.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle
282
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Among them, T-even bacteriophages, such as T4, exhibit a well-characterized lytic replication cycle in Escherichia coli (E. coli). This process ensures the rapid proliferation of the virus while ultimately leading to the destruction of the bacterial host.Attachment and DNA InjectionThe infection process begins with the recognition and binding of the T4 phage to the E. coli cell surface. Tail fibers of the phage...
282
00:43Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages
63.3K
In contrast to the lytic cycle, phages infecting bacteria via the lysogenic cycle do not immediately kill their host cell. Instead, they combine their genome with the host genome, allowing the bacteria to replicate the phage DNA along with the bacterial genome. The incorporated copy of the phage genome is called the prophage. Some prophages can re-activate and enter the lytic cycle. This often occurs in response to a perturbation, such as DNA damage, but can also transpire in the absence of...
63.3K
01:26DNA Bacteriophages
158
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, utilizing their genetic material to hijack host cellular machinery for replication. DNA bacteriophages employ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes. These phages exhibit diverse replication strategies and host interactions, influencing their ecological roles and applications in biotechnology and medicine.ssDNA BacteriophagesssDNA phages, with their small genomes, utilize unique strategies to...
158
01:16Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle
261
The lysogenic cycle is a crucial viral replication strategy that allows bacteriophages to persist within host cells without immediately destroying them. This process is primarily observed in temperate phages, such as bacteriophage lambda (λ), which infects Escherichia coli. The cycle allows the viral genome to persist across bacterial generations while keeping host cells viable.Integration of the Viral GenomeUpon infection, bacteriophage lambda attaches to the bacterial surface and injects...
261
01:30Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages
72.1K
Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are specialized viruses that infect bacteria. A key characteristic of phages is their distinctive “head-tail” morphology. A phage begins the infection process (i.e., lytic cycle) by attaching to the outside of a bacterial cell. Attachment is accomplished via proteins in the phage tail that bind to specific receptor proteins on the outer surface of the bacterium. The tail injects the phage’s DNA genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. In the...
72.1K
01:10Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria
2.9K
Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a...
2.9K