The Phage Nucleus and Tubulin Spindle Are Conserved among Large Pseudomonas Phages

Publication date: 15 August 2017
Source:Cell Reports, Volume 20, Issue 7
Author(s): Vorrapon Chaikeeratisak, Katrina Nguyen, MacKennon E. Egan, Marcella L. Erb, Anastasia Vavilina, Joe Pogliano
We recently demonstrated that the large Pseudomonas chlororaphis bacteriophage 201φ2-1 assembles a nucleus-like structure that encloses phage DNA and segregates proteins according to function, with DNA processing proteins inside and metabolic enzymes and ribosomes outside the nucleus. Here, we investigate the replication pathway of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophages φKZ and φPA3. Bacteriophages φKZ and φPA3 encode a proteinaceous shell that assembles a nucleus-like structure that compartmentalizes proteins and DNA during viral infection. We show that the tubulin-like protein PhuZ encoded by each phage assembles a bipolar spindle that displays dynamic instability and positions the nucleus at midcell. Our results suggest that the phage spindle and nucleus play the same functional role in all three phages, 201φ2-1, φKZ, and φPA3, demonstrating that these key structures are conserved among large Pseudomonas phages.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

The nucleus and spindle are defining features of eukaryotic cells that separate them from bacteria and archaea. Chaikeeratisak et al. show that a tubulin-based spindle and a nucleus-like structure are conserved among large Pseudomonas phages, providing insight into the evolution of these key cell biological structures.


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