Transcriptiome dynamics of cyanopodovirus S-SBP1 and its host Synechococcus sp. WH7803
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ABSTRACT: Whole-genome expression dynamics of cyanopodovirus P-SSP7 and its host Prochlorococcus strain MED4 have been reported. To investigate whether cyanopodoviruses infecting Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus have similar transcription strategy and host response to phage infection, genomic and transcriptomic analyses were conducted on cyanopodovirus S-SBP1 that infects Synechococcus strain WH7803. S-SBP1 has a latent period of 8 h and a burst size of 30 progeny phages per cell. S-SBP1 was most similar to cyanopodovirus S-RIP2 that also infects Synechococcus WH7803, in terms of whole genome phylogenetic relationship and average nucleotide identity (ANI). Three hypervariable genomic islands were found when comparing the genomes of S-SBP1 and S-RIP2, and single nucleotide variants (SNV) were observed on three genes of S-SBP1, which are located within the island regions. Based on RNA-seq analysis, genes of S-SBP1 were clustered into three temporal express classes, with gene content within each class similar to that of P-SSP7. Thirty-two host genes were upregulated during phage infection, including those involved in carbon metabolism, ribosome component and stress response. These upregulated genes were also similar to those of Prochlorococcus MED4 in response to infection by P-SSP7. Our study demonstrates a programmed temporal expression pattern of cyanopodoviruses and hosts during infection.
Project description:Cyanobacteria are highly abundant in the oceans where they are constantly exposed to lytic viruses. Some viruses are restricted to a narrow host range while others infect a broad range of hosts. It is currently unknown whether broad-host range phages employ the same infection program, or regulate their program in a host-specific manner to accommodate for the different genetic makeup and defense systems of each host. Here we used a combination of microarray and RNA-seq analyses to investigate the interaction of three phylogentically distinct Synechococcus strains, WH7803, WH8102, and WH8109, with the broad-host range T4-like myovirus, Syn9, during infection. Strikingly, we found that the phage led a nearly identical expression program in the three hosts despite considerable differences in host gene content. On the other hand, host responses to infection involved mainly host-specific genes, suggesting variable attempts at defense against infection. A large number of responsive host genes were located in hypervariable genomic islands, substantiating genomic islands as a major axis of phage-bacteria interactions in cyanobacteria. Furthermore, transcriptome analyses and experimental determination of the complete phage promoter map revealed three temporally regulated modules and not two as previously thought for cyanophages. In contrast to T4, an extensive, previously unknown regulatory motif drives expression of early genes and host-like promoters drive middle-gene expression. These promoters are highly conserved among cyanophages and host-like middle promoters extend to other T4-like phages, indicating that the well-known mode of regulation in T4 is not the rule among the broad family of T4-like phages. We investigated the infection process and transcriptional program of the P-TIM40 cyanophage during infection of a Prochlorococcus NATL2A host. The results are discussed in conjunction with results obtained from the infection process for the Syn9 cyanophage in three different Synechococcus hosts: WH7803 (Dufresne et al. 2008), WH8102 (Palenik et al. 2003) and WH8109 (sequenced as part of this study).
Project description:Cyanobacteria are highly abundant in the oceans and are constantly exposed to lytic viruses. The T4-like cyanomyoviruses are abundant in the marine environment and have broad host ranges relative to other cyanophages. It is currently unknown whether broad-host-range phages specifically tailor their infection program for each host, or employ the same program irrespective of the host infected. Also unknown is how different hosts respond to infection by the same phage. Here we used microarray and RNA-seq analyses to investigate the interaction between the Syn9 T4-like cyanophage and three phylogenetically, ecologically and genomically distinct marine Synechococcus strains: WH8102, WH7803 and WH8109. Strikingly, Syn9 led a nearly identical infection and transcriptional program in all three hosts. Different to previous assumptions for T4-like cyanophages, three temporally regulated gene expression classes were observed. Furthermore, a novel regulatory element controlled early gene transcription, and host-like promoters drove middle gene transcription, different to the regulatory paradigm for T4. Similar results were found for the P-TIM40 phage during infection of Prochlorococcus NATL2A. Moreover, genomic and metagenomic analyses indicate that these regulatory elements are abundant and conserved among T4-like cyanophages. In contrast to the near-identical transcriptional program employed by Syn9, host responses to infection involved host-specific genes primarily located in hypervariable genomic islands, substantiating islands as a major axis of phage-cyanobacteria interactions. Our findings suggest that the ability of broad host-range phages to infect multiple hosts is more likely dependent on the effectiveness of host defense strategies than on differential tailoring of the infection process by the phage.
Project description:Cyanobacteria are highly abundant in the oceans and are constantly exposed to lytic viruses. The T4-like cyanomyoviruses are abundant in the marine environment and have broad host ranges relative to other cyanophages. It is currently unknown whether broad-host-range phages specifically tailor their infection program for each host, or employ the same program irrespective of the host infected. Also unknown is how different hosts respond to infection by the same phage. Here we used microarray and RNA-seq analyses to investigate the interaction between the Syn9 T4-like cyanophage and three phylogenetically, ecologically and genomically distinct marine Synechococcus strains: WH8102, WH7803 and WH8109. Strikingly, Syn9 led a nearly identical infection and transcriptional program in all three hosts. Different to previous assumptions for T4-like cyanophages, three temporally regulated gene expression classes were observed. Furthermore, a novel regulatory element controlled early gene transcription, and host-like promoters drove middle gene transcription, different to the regulatory paradigm for T4. Similar results were found for the P-TIM40 phage during infection of Prochlorococcus NATL2A. Moreover, genomic and metagenomic analyses indicate that these regulatory elements are abundant and conserved among T4-like cyanophages. In contrast to the near-identical transcriptional program employed by Syn9, host responses to infection involved host-specific genes primarily located in hypervariable genomic islands, substantiating islands as a major axis of phage-cyanobacteria interactions. Our findings suggest that the ability of broad host-range phages to infect multiple hosts is more likely dependent on the effectiveness of host defense strategies than on differential tailoring of the infection process by the phage.
Project description:We used microarray analysis to investigate whole genome transcriptome dynamics of the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus sp. strain MED4 and the T7-like podovirus P-SSP7 over a time course during the 8 hour latent period of lytic infection prior to cell lysis. Manuscript Summary: Interactions between bacterial hosts and their viruses (phages) lead to reciprocal genome evolution through a dynamic co-evolutionary process1-5. Phage-mediated transfer of host genes – often located in genome islands – has had a major impact on microbial evolution1, 4, 6. Furthermore, phage genomes have clearly been shaped by the acquisition of genes from their hosts2, 3, 5. Here we investigate whole-genome expression of a host and phage, the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus and a T7-like cyanophage during lytic infection, to gain insight into these co-evolutionary processes. While most of the phage genome was linearly transcribed over the course of infection, 4 phage-encoded bacterial metabolism genes were part of the same expression cluster, even though they are physically separated on the genome. These genes — encoding photosystem II D1 (psbA), high-light inducible protein (hli), transaldolase (talC) and ribonucleotide reductase (nrd) — are transcribed together with phage DNA replication genes and appear to make up a functional unit involved in energy and deoxynucleotide production needed for phage replication in resource-poor oceans. Also unique to this system was the upregulation of numerous genes in the host during infection. These may be host stress response genes, and/or genes induced by the phage. Many of these host genes are located in genome islands and have homologues in cyanophage genomes. We hypothesize that phage have evolved to utilize upregulated host genes, leading to their stable incorporation into phage genomes and their subsequent transfer back to hosts in genome islands. Thus activation of host genes during infection may be directing the co-evolution of gene content in both host and phage genomes. Keywords: time course, viral infection, marine cyanobacteria, podovirus, bacteriophage, stress response
Project description:To monitor the expression of cyanophage S-PM2 genes as it infects Synechococcus WH7803 over a 9 hr time course. Samples were take from 3 independent cultures. A reference design was used with dye swaps (technical replicates) for each time point.
Project description:Exoproteomes generated from Synechococcus sp. WH7803 and Prochlorococcus sp. MIT9313 cultures grown under different nutrient, light and temperature conditions. The aim was to see how the production of the pili were affected. Exoproteomes of marine Prochlorococcus under different growth regimes analysed by LC-MS/MS
Project description:Exoproteomes generated from Synechococcus sp. WH7803 and Prochlorococcus sp. MIT9313 cultures grown under different nutrient, light and temperature conditions. The aim was to see how the production of the pili were affected. Exoproteomes of marine Synechococcus under different nutrient limitations analysed by LC-MS/MS
Project description:Exoproteomes generated from Synechococcus sp. WH7803 and Prochlorococcus sp. MIT9313 cultures grown under different nutrient, light and temperature conditions. The aim was to see how the production of the pili were affected. Exoproteomes of marine Synechococcus under different light regimes analysed by LC-MS/MS
Project description:Exoproteomes generated from Synechococcus sp. WH7803 and Prochlorococcus sp. MIT9313 cultures grown under different nutrient, light and temperature conditions. The aim was to see how the production of the pili were affected. Exoproteomes of marine Synechococcus under different nutrient regimes analysed by LC-MS/MS