Chimeric infective particles expand species boundaries in phage-inducible chromosomal island mobilization
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Some mobile genetic elements spread among unrelated bacterial species through unknown mechanisms. Recently, we discovered that identical capsid-forming phage-inducible chromosomal islands (cf-PICIs), a new family of phage satellites, are present across multiple species and genera, raising questions about their widespread dissemination. Here, we have identified and characterized a new biological entity enabling this transfer. Unlike other satellites, cf-PICIs produce their own capsids and package their DNA, relying solely on phage tails for transfer. cf-PICIs release non-infective, tailless capsids containing their DNA into the environment. These subcellular entities then interact with phage tails from various species, forming chimeric particles that inject DNA into different bacterial species depending on the tail present. Additionally, we elucidated the structure of the tailless cf-PICIs and the mechanism behind their unique capsid formation. Our findings illuminate the mechanisms used by satellites to spread in nature, contributing to bacterial evolution and the emergence of new pathogens.
Date Issued
2025-11-13
Date Acceptance
2025-08-13
Citation
Cell, 2025, 188 (23), pp.6636-6653.E17
ISSN
0092-8674
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
6636
End Page
6653.E17
Journal / Book Title
Cell
Volume
188
Issue
23
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40930093
PII: S0092-8674(25)00974-2
Subjects
capsid assembly
cf-PICI
gene transfer
hijacking
host range
phage packaging
phage tails
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Date Publish Online
2025-09-09