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A prophage-expressed type IV pilus component provides anti-phage defense
Kristina M Sztanko1, Taylor J Ellison2, Jill Greenlaw3
1Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
Cell Reports
|January 2, 2026
Summary
Prophages can protect bacteria from infection by encoding proteins that mimic cell surface structures. These phage-derived proteins, like FimU, prevent further phage attacks by altering bacterial pili, showcasing a novel anti-phage defense strategy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Virology
Background:
- Prophages, integrated phage genomes, often provide bacterial defense mechanisms.
- These defenses commonly involve altering bacterial cell surface receptors to block phage attachment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe novel prophage-encoded proteins resembling FimU.
- To investigate their role in anti-phage defense within Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of prophage genomes for FimU-like proteins.
- Investigating the incorporation of these proteins into type IV pili.
- Assessing the protective effect against specific phage infections.
Main Results:
- Identified prophage-encoded proteins similar to FimU.
- These proteins integrate into type IV pili without functional impairment.
- Demonstrated robust protection against phages targeting the pilus tip.
Conclusions:
- Prophage FimU-like proteins offer a new mechanism of anti-phage defense.
- This defense involves replacing bacterial components with phage-encoded proteins.
- Evolutionary pressure from phage-phage competition likely drives this system's diversity.
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