Gene product 0.4 increases bacteriophage T7 competitiveness by inhibiting host cell division

Bacteriophages take over host resources primarily via the activity of proteins expressed early in infection. One of these proteins, produced by the Escherichia coli phage T7, is gene product (Gp) 0.4. Here, we show that Gp0.4 is a direct inhibitor of the E. coli filamenting temperature-sensitive mut...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 2013-11, Vol.110 (48), p.19549-19554
Main Authors: Kiro, Ruth, Molshanski-Mor, Shahar, Yosef, Ido, Milam, Sara L., Erickson, Harold P., Qimron, Udi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Biological - genetics
Bacteria
Bacterial proteins
Bacterial Proteins - genetics
Bacteriophage T7
Bacteriophage T7 - genetics
Bacteriophages
Binding sites
Biological Sciences
Blotting, Western
Cell division
Cytoskeletal Proteins - antagonists & inhibitors
Cytoskeletal Proteins - genetics
Daughter cells
E coli
Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli - cytology
Escherichia coli - virology
Gene expression
Genetic mutation
Genetics
Genomes
Infections
Morphology
Phage T7
Plasmids
Plasmids - genetics
Polymerase chain reaction
Viral Proteins - genetics
Viral Proteins - metabolism
Viral Proteins - pharmacology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Bacteriophages take over host resources primarily via the activity of proteins expressed early in infection. One of these proteins, produced by the Escherichia coli phage T7, is gene product (Gp) 0.4. Here, we show that Gp0.4 is a direct inhibitor of the E. coli filamenting temperature-sensitive mutant Z division protein. A chemically synthesized Gp0.4 binds to purified filamenting temperature-sensitive mutant Z protein and directly inhibits its assembly in vitro. Consequently, expression of Gp0.4 in vivo is lethal to E. coli and results in bacteria that are morphologically elongated. We further show that this inhibition of cell division by Gp0.4 enhances the bacteriophage’s competitive ability. This division inhibition is thus a fascinating example of a strategy in bacteriophages to maximize utilization of their hosts’ cell resources.
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.1314096110