Phages Mediate Bacterial Self-Recognition

Cell Rep. 2019 Apr 16;27(3):737-749.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.03.070.

Abstract

Cells are social, and self-recognition is a conserved aspect of group behavior where cells assist kin and antagonize non-kin. However, the role of phage in self-recognition is unexplored. Here we find that a demarcation line is formed between different swimming Escherichia coli strains but not between identical clones; hence, motile cells discriminate between self and non-self. The basis for this self-recognition is a 49 kb, T1-type, lytic phage of the family Siphoviridae (named here SW1) that controls formation of the demarcation line by utilizing one of the host's cryptic prophage proteins, YfdM of CPS-53, to propagate. Critically, SW1 provides a conditional benefit to E. coli K-12 compared with the identical strain that lacks the phage. A demarcation line is also formed when strains harbor either the lysogenic phage ϕ80 or lambda and encounter siblings that lack the lysogen. In summary, bacteria can use phage to distinguish siblings that lack phage.

Keywords: cryptic prophage; lysis; lysogenic phage; lytic phage; self-recognition; swimming.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriophage lambda / physiology
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development
  • Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Escherichia coli / virology
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • Lysogeny
  • Prophages / physiology
  • Siphoviridae / physiology*
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Viral Proteins