Article
Epigenetic Control of Salmonella enterica O-Antigen Chain Length: A Tradeoff between Virulence and Bacteriophage Resistance
Author/s | Cota García, Ignacio
Sánchez Romero, María Antonia Hernández Piñero, Sara Belén Pucciarelli, María Graciela García del Portillo, Francisco Casadesús Pursals, Josep |
Department | Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Genética |
Publication Date | 2015 |
Deposit Date | 2017-06-05 |
Published in |
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Abstract | The Salmonella enterica opvAB operon is a horizontally-acquired locus that undergoes phase variation under Dam methylation control. The OpvA and OpvB proteins form intertwining ribbons in the inner membrane. Synthesis of ... The Salmonella enterica opvAB operon is a horizontally-acquired locus that undergoes phase variation under Dam methylation control. The OpvA and OpvB proteins form intertwining ribbons in the inner membrane. Synthesis of OpvA and OpvB alters lipopolysaccharide O-antigen chain length and confers resistance to bacteriophages 9NA (Siphoviridae), Det7 (Myoviridae), and P22 (Podoviridae). These phages use the O-antigen as receptor. Because opvAB undergoes phase variation, S. enterica cultures contain subpopulations of opvAB OFF and opvAB ON cells. In the presence of a bacteriophage that uses the O-antigen as receptor, the opvAB OFF subpopulation is killed and the opvAB ON subpopulation is selected. Acquisition of phage resistance by phase variation of O-antigen chain length requires a payoff: opvAB expression reduces Salmonella virulence. However, phase variation permits resuscitation of the opvAB OFF subpopulation as soon as phage challenge ceases. Phenotypic heterogeneity generated by opvAB phase variation thus preadapts Salmonella to survive phage challenge with a fitness cost that is transient only. |
Funding agencies | Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España |
Project ID. | BIO2013-44220-R
BIO2013-46281-P |
Citation | Cota García, I., Sánchez Romero, M.A., Hernández Piñero, S.B., Pucciarelli, M.G., García del Portillo, F. y Casadesús Pursals, J. (2015). Epigenetic Control of Salmonella enterica O-Antigen Chain Length: A Tradeoff between Virulence and Bacteriophage Resistance. Plos Genetics, 11 (11), 1-18. |
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