Bacteriophages and microbial interactions

Tmn blocks phage spread via plasmolysis and triggers synergistic defence responses

This study identifies Tmn as a bacterial membrane protein that blocks phage spread by inducing plasmolysis and activates synergistic defence responses through ATP depletion.

AlphaFold 3-powered discovery of phage proteins that inhibit bacterial transcription

This study uses AlphaFold 3 to identify and characterize phage proteins that inhibit bacterial transcription, revealing novel mechanisms of action.

Bacteriophage-mediated reduction of uropathogenic E. coli from the urogenital epithelium

This study shows that bacteriophages can reduce uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) colonization in vitro and in a mouse model, suggesting phage therapy as a potential UTI prevention strategy.

Animal-free peptones do not alter bacteriophages propagated for therapeutic use

This study compares animal-free and traditional media for phage propagation, finding no significant differences in yield, activity, or genomic characteristics.

Efagins: engineerable agents that evolved independently to target the enterococcal cell wall

The paper identifies efagins, a new class of antibacterial agents that target enterococcal cell wall carbohydrates, and shows they can be engineered for alternative receptor targeting.

An N4-like Caulobacter phage requires host smooth lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis for infection

This paper identifies and characterizes a new Caulobacter phage, Circe, showing it uses smooth lipopolysaccharide as a receptor for infection.

A membrane-bound nuclease directly cleaves phage DNA during genome injection

This study identifies SNIPE as a bacterial membrane-bound nuclease that directly cleaves phage DNA during genome injection, providing a novel mechanism for distinguishing self from non-self.

Structural basis for repurposing a flexible phage tail into an Intraspecific bacterial competition weapon

This paper determines the high-resolution structure of an F-type tailocin, revealing its assembly mechanism and specialized tail-fiber architecture for bacterial competition.

Sampling Microbial Dynamics in the Salish Sea Estuary: Evaluating Methods to Capture Cyanobacteria and Cyanophage

The paper develops and refines methods to sample and sequence cyanobacteria, cyanophages, and their environment in the Salish Sea to study host-pathogen dynamics.

Ribonucleotide reductases recapitulate biogeographic patterns within virioplankton according to ocean biogeochemistry

The paper examines the distribution of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) genes in marine viruses and links their patterns to ocean biogeochemistry.

Viral SSB-bound ssDNA activates the bacterial anti-phage defense system DARNA

This study shows that viral SSB-bound ssDNA activates the bacterial anti-phage defense system DARNA by recognizing a signal promoted by viral proteins, enabling broad virus detection without auto-immunity.

Commensal gut virome regulates intestinal nutrient sensing via Th17 cells

This study shows the enteric virome influences carbohydrate digestion and absorption through Th17 cells and immune surveillance, highlighting its role in host metabolism.

A distinct class of conjugative megaplasmids includes potential vehicles for prophage dissemination

The paper identifies conjugative megaplasmids in the human gut microbiome that can disseminate prophage genomes across bacterial lineages, explaining their wide distribution.

Pseudolysogeny-mediated evolutionary trade-offs favor phage therapy by limiting antibiotic resistance and virulence in Cutibacterium acnes

This study shows pseudolysogenic phages reduce C. acnes abundance and acne lesions without resistance, by limiting antibiotic resistance and virulence.

A global map of receptor-binding protein compatibility for the programmable design of Klebsiella and Acinetobacter phages

The paper defines a global map of receptor-binding protein compatibility for designing phages targeting Klebsiella and Acinetobacter species.

Single-phage profiling illuminates viral individuality during cell fate determination

The paper profiles individual phage transcription during E. coli infection to reveal how viral activity influences cell fate decisions between lysis and lysogeny.

Prophage activity shapes the thermal ecology and evolution of a marine bacterial host

This study shows prophage infection influences bacterial thermal ecology and evolution by altering thermal adaptation and population dynamics across temperatures.

Eco-evolutionary dynamics of active virus-host interactions in a freshwater lake: revealed through metaHi-C

The paper uses metaHi-C to identify active phage-host interactions in a freshwater microbial community, revealing ecological patterns and evolutionary dynamics.

Activating and inhibiting nucleotide signals coordinate bacterial anti-phage defense

This study identifies a bacterial anti-phage defense system, Clover, which uses nucleotide signals to dynamically regulate antiviral immunity while avoiding cellular toxicity.

Prophages of infant-derived Bifidobacterium longum subspecies employ antagonistic and synergistic strategies to persist in their host

The paper identifies and analyzes prophages in infant-derived Bifidobacterium longum subspecies, revealing their antagonistic and synergistic strategies for persistence in the gut.

The infant gut virome assembles rapidly and predictably over the first three years of life

The paper models gut virome development in infants over three years, showing increased diversity and convergence with age.

Anti-Quorum Sensing Phages Disarm Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The paper engineers anti-quorum sensing phages that degrade quorum-sensing molecules, reduce virulence, and improve survival in infected larvae, demonstrating their potential to enhance phage therapy.

Rapid Isolation and Genomic Characterization of Sewage-Derived Bacteriophages Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Poultry

This study isolates and characterizes bacteriophages from sewage targeting multidrug-resistant E. coli in poultry, showing their potential as alternatives to antibiotics.

Structures and enzymatic mechanisms of DRT7/UG10 antiphage reverse transcriptases

This study presents cryo-EM structures of UG10 enzymes and elucidates their enzymatic mechanism involving RT and primase domains, showing their anti-phage activity.

Phage-meropenem synergy against OXA-48-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates

This study evaluates the synergy between phage vB_Kpn_2-P4 and meropenem against OXA-48-producing K. pneumoniae isolates, showing prevention of resistant mutant emergence.

Genomic Isomerism and Environmental Adaptation in Cyanophages Infecting Freshwater Cyanobacteria

This study characterizes three cyanophages infecting Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, revealing genomic isomerism, environmental adaptation, and novel gene functions.

Active virus-host system in a Lokiarchaeon culture

This study reports the first cultivation of an Asgard archaeal virus and describes its integration, excision, and replication, along with the host's unique antiviral defense systems.

A theoretical exploration of protocols for treating prosthetic joint infections with combinations of antibiotics and bacteriophage (phage)

This study uses a mathematical-computer simulation model to evaluate the effectiveness of combining antibiotics and bacteriophage in treating prosthetic joint infections, finding that bacteriophage may not be an effective addition.

Modeling the phage properties best for therapy

This study uses computational models to identify phage properties predictive of treatment success in phage therapy, finding adsorption rate and growth rate are most informative.

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic rewiring between virus resistance and susceptibility in Ostreococcus mediterraneus

This study integrates metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to identify molecular mechanisms underlying virus resistance and susceptibility in Ostreococcus mediterraneus.