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Inhibition of coliphage multiplication and R plasmid transfer by desdanine
Abstract:
Desdanine inhibited the plaque formation of male-specific coliphages but not that of other coliphages tested. Desdanine also suppressed the multiplication of both RNA phage Q beta and filamentous DNA phage f1 at the concentration of 3.13 approximately 6.25 mug/ml which had no influence on the growth of their host cells. However, the inhibitory effect on the phage multiplication was not due to the inactivation of phage particles nor the prevention of phage adsorption and penetration into the host cells. Desdanine also inhibited the transfer of R plasmid, R 100-1, in E. coli at 6.25 approximately 12.5 mug/ml without affecting the viability of donor and recipient cells.
Insights
Desdanine hinders male-specific coliphage plaque formation and suppresses RNA and DNA phage multiplication without harming host cells. It also inhibits R plasmid transfer in E. coli.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, playing roles in microbial ecology and genetics.
- Bacteriophage resistance mechanisms and antiviral compounds are crucial for understanding bacterial defense and developing novel therapeutics.
- Plasmid transfer is a key mechanism for horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, contributing to antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiviral properties of desdanine against various bacteriophages.
- To determine the effect of desdanine on bacterial host cell viability.
- To assess the impact of desdanine on plasmid transfer in Escherichia coli.
Main Methods:
- Testing desdanine's effect on plaque formation of different coliphages.
- Assessing desdanine's impact on bacteriophage (RNA phage Q beta, filamentous DNA phage f1) multiplication in host cells.
- Evaluating desdanine's influence on phage particle inactivation, adsorption, and penetration.
- Monitoring desdanine's effect on R plasmid (R 100-1) transfer in E. coli.
Main Results:
- Desdanine inhibited plaque formation of male-specific coliphages but not other tested coliphages.
- Desdanine suppressed RNA phage Q beta and filamentous DNA phage f1 multiplication at concentrations of 3.13–6.25 µg/ml without affecting host cell growth.
- The inhibitory effect was not due to phage particle inactivation or prevention of adsorption/penetration.
- Desdanine inhibited R plasmid transfer in E. coli at 6.25–12.5 µg/ml without impacting donor/recipient cell viability.
Conclusions:
- Desdanine exhibits specific antiviral activity against certain bacteriophages.
- Desdanine interferes with bacteriophage replication or assembly, not initial infection steps.
- Desdanine possesses anti-plasmid transfer activity, suggesting potential applications in controlling horizontal gene transfer.