Sak and Sak4 recombinases are required for bacteriophage replication in Staphylococcus aureus

Neamah, M., Mir-Sanchis, I., López-Sanz, M., Acosta, S., Baquedano, I., Haag, A. , Marina, A., Ayora, S. and Penadés, J. R. (2017) Sak and Sak4 recombinases are required for bacteriophage replication in Staphylococcus aureus. Nucleic Acids Research, 45(11), pp. 6507-6519. (doi: 10.1093/nar/gkx308) (PMID:28475766) (PMCID:PMC5499656)

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Abstract

DNA-single strand annealing proteins (SSAPs) are recombinases frequently encoded in the genome of many bacteriophages. As SSAPs can promote homologous recombination among DNA substrates with an important degree of divergence, these enzymes are involved both in DNA repair and in the generation of phage mosaicisms. Here, analysing Sak and Sak4 as representatives of two different families of SSAPs present in phages infecting the clinically relevant bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, we demonstrate for the first time that these enzymes are absolutely required for phage reproduction. Deletion of the genes encoding these enzymes significantly reduced phage replication and the generation of infectious particles. Complementation studies revealed that these enzymes are required both in the donor (after prophage induction) and in the recipient strain (for infection). Moreover, our results indicated that to perform their function SSAPs require the activity of their cognate single strand binding (Ssb) proteins. Mutational studies demonstrated that the Ssb proteins are also required for phage replication, both in the donor and recipient strain. In summary, our results expand the functions attributed to the Sak and Sak4 proteins, and demonstrate that both SSAPs and Ssb proteins are essential for the life cycle of temperate staphylococcal phages.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Penades, Prof Jose R and Haag, Dr Andreas
Authors: Neamah, M., Mir-Sanchis, I., López-Sanz, M., Acosta, S., Baquedano, I., Haag, A., Marina, A., Ayora, S., and Penadés, J. R.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Nucleic Acids Research
Publisher:Oxford University Press
ISSN:0305-1048
ISSN (Online):1362-4962
Published Online:05 May 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 The Authors
First Published:First published in Nucleic Acids Research 45(11): 6507-6519
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
660772Molecular biology of the PICIs, a novel and widespread family of mobile genetic elements involved in bacterial virulenceJose R PenadesMedical Research Council (MRC)MR/M003876/1RI INFECTION IMMUNITY & INFLAMMATION
693781Understanding a novel mechanim involving pathogenity islands in the transfer of unlinked chromosomal virulence genesJose R PenadesBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/N002873/1RI INFECTION IMMUNITY & INFLAMMATION