Black box of phage–bacterium interactions: exploring alternative phage infection strategies

The canonical lytic–lysogenic binary has been challenged in recent years, as more evidence has emerged on alternative bacteriophage infection strategies. These infection modes are little studied, and yet they appear to be more abundant and ubiquitous in nature than previously recognized, and can pla...

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Main Authors: Sari Mäntynen, Elina Laanto, Hanna M. Oksanen, Minna M. Poranen, Samuel L. Díaz-Muñoz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Royal Society 2021-09-01
Series:Open Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsob.210188
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spelling doaj-75977f259357423084f868a619c89e922021-09-14T23:05:31ZengThe Royal SocietyOpen Biology2046-24412021-09-0111910.1098/rsob.210188Black box of phage–bacterium interactions: exploring alternative phage infection strategiesSari Mäntynen0Elina Laanto1Hanna M. Oksanen2Minna M. Poranen3Samuel L. Díaz-Muñoz4Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandMolecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandMolecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandMolecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USAThe canonical lytic–lysogenic binary has been challenged in recent years, as more evidence has emerged on alternative bacteriophage infection strategies. These infection modes are little studied, and yet they appear to be more abundant and ubiquitous in nature than previously recognized, and can play a significant role in the ecology and evolution of their bacterial hosts. In this review, we discuss the extent, causes and consequences of alternative phage lifestyles, and clarify conceptual and terminological confusion to facilitate research progress. We propose distinct definitions for the terms ‘pseudolysogeny’ and ‘productive or non-productive chronic infection’, and distinguish them from the carrier state life cycle, which describes a population-level phenomenon. Our review also finds that phages may change their infection modes in response to environmental conditions or the physiological state of the host cell. We outline known molecular mechanisms underlying the alternative phage–host interactions, including specific genetic pathways and their considerable biotechnological potential. Moreover, we discuss potential implications of the alternative phage lifestyles for microbial biology and ecosystem functioning, as well as applied topics such as phage therapy.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsob.210188bacteriophagephage infectionpseudolysogenycarrier statechronic infection
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Sari Mäntynen
Elina Laanto
Hanna M. Oksanen
Minna M. Poranen
Samuel L. Díaz-Muñoz
spellingShingle Sari Mäntynen
Elina Laanto
Hanna M. Oksanen
Minna M. Poranen
Samuel L. Díaz-Muñoz
Black box of phage–bacterium interactions: exploring alternative phage infection strategies
Open Biology
bacteriophage
phage infection
pseudolysogeny
carrier state
chronic infection
author_facet Sari Mäntynen
Elina Laanto
Hanna M. Oksanen
Minna M. Poranen
Samuel L. Díaz-Muñoz
author_sort Sari Mäntynen
title Black box of phage–bacterium interactions: exploring alternative phage infection strategies
title_short Black box of phage–bacterium interactions: exploring alternative phage infection strategies
title_full Black box of phage–bacterium interactions: exploring alternative phage infection strategies
title_fullStr Black box of phage–bacterium interactions: exploring alternative phage infection strategies
title_full_unstemmed Black box of phage–bacterium interactions: exploring alternative phage infection strategies
title_sort black box of phage–bacterium interactions: exploring alternative phage infection strategies
publisher The Royal Society
series Open Biology
issn 2046-2441
publishDate 2021-09-01
description The canonical lytic–lysogenic binary has been challenged in recent years, as more evidence has emerged on alternative bacteriophage infection strategies. These infection modes are little studied, and yet they appear to be more abundant and ubiquitous in nature than previously recognized, and can play a significant role in the ecology and evolution of their bacterial hosts. In this review, we discuss the extent, causes and consequences of alternative phage lifestyles, and clarify conceptual and terminological confusion to facilitate research progress. We propose distinct definitions for the terms ‘pseudolysogeny’ and ‘productive or non-productive chronic infection’, and distinguish them from the carrier state life cycle, which describes a population-level phenomenon. Our review also finds that phages may change their infection modes in response to environmental conditions or the physiological state of the host cell. We outline known molecular mechanisms underlying the alternative phage–host interactions, including specific genetic pathways and their considerable biotechnological potential. Moreover, we discuss potential implications of the alternative phage lifestyles for microbial biology and ecosystem functioning, as well as applied topics such as phage therapy.
topic bacteriophage
phage infection
pseudolysogeny
carrier state
chronic infection
url https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsob.210188
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