Evolution of Superinfection Immunity in Cluster A Mycobacteriophages.

ABSTRACT: Temperate phages encode an immunity system to control lytic gene expression during lysogeny. This gene regulatory circuit consists of multiple interacting genetic elements, and although it is essential for controlling phage growth, it is subject to conflicting evolutionary pressures. During superinfection of a lysogen, the prophage's circuit interacts with the superinfecting phage's circuit and prevents lytic growth if the two circuits are closely related. The circuitry is advantageous since it provides the prophage with a defense mechanism, but the circuitry is also disadvantageous since it limits the phage's host range during superinfection. Evolutionarily related phages have divergent, orthogonal immunity systems that no longer interact and are heteroimmune, but we do not understand how

SUBMITTER: Mavrich TN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6550527 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature