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Biophysical basis of filamentous phage tactoid-mediated antibiotic tolerance in P. aeruginosa

Author

Listed:
  • Jan Böhning

    (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology)

  • Miles Graham

    (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
    University of Oxford)

  • Suzanne C. Letham

    (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
    University of Oxford)

  • Luke K. Davis

    (University College London
    University College London)

  • Ulrike Schulze

    (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology)

  • Phillip J. Stansfeld

    (University of Warwick)

  • Robin A. Corey

    (University of Oxford
    University of Bristol)

  • Philip Pearce

    (University College London
    University College London)

  • Abul K. Tarafder

    (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology)

  • Tanmay A. M. Bharat

    (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology)

Abstract

Inoviruses are filamentous phages infecting numerous prokaryotic phyla. Inoviruses can self-assemble into mesoscale structures with liquid-crystalline order, termed tactoids, which protect bacterial cells in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms from antibiotics. Here, we investigate the structural, biophysical, and protective properties of tactoids formed by the P. aeruginosa phage Pf4 and Escherichia coli phage fd. A cryo-EM structure of the capsid from fd revealed distinct biochemical properties compared to Pf4. Fd and Pf4 formed tactoids with different morphologies that arise from differing phage geometries and packing densities, which in turn gave rise to different tactoid emergent properties. Finally, we showed that tactoids formed by either phage protect rod-shaped bacteria from antibiotic treatment, and that direct association with a tactoid is required for protection, demonstrating the formation of a diffusion barrier by the tactoid. This study provides insights into how filamentous molecules protect bacteria from extraneous substances in biofilms and in host-associated infections.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Böhning & Miles Graham & Suzanne C. Letham & Luke K. Davis & Ulrike Schulze & Phillip J. Stansfeld & Robin A. Corey & Philip Pearce & Abul K. Tarafder & Tanmay A. M. Bharat, 2023. "Biophysical basis of filamentous phage tactoid-mediated antibiotic tolerance in P. aeruginosa," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-44160-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44160-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marvin Whiteley & M. Gita Bangera & Roger E. Bumgarner & Matthew R. Parsek & Gail M. Teitzel & Stephen Lory & E. P. Greenberg, 2001. "Gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms," Nature, Nature, vol. 413(6858), pages 860-864, October.
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