Cross-species communication via agr controls phage susceptibility in Staphylococcus aureus

• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113154
• Publication Date: 2023-09-19T06:40:57Z
• Authors: Jingxian Yang; Janine Zara Bowring; Janes Krusche; Esther Lehmann; Benjamin Svejdal ...; Stephanie Fulaz S...; Martin Saxtorph B...; Tom Grunert; Andreas Peschel; Hanne Ingmer
• Keywords: Lytic cycle; Teichoic acid; Phage therapy; Lysin

Bacteria use quorum sensing (QS) to coordinate group behavior in response cell density, and some bacterial viruses (phages) also respond QS. In Staphylococcus aureus, the agr-encoded QS system relies on accumulation of auto-inducing cyclic peptides (AIPs). Other staphylococci produce AIPs which many inhibit S. aureus agr. We show that agr induction reduces expression tarM, encoding a glycosyltransferase responsible for α-N-acetylglucosamine modification major phage receptor, wall teichoic acids. This allows lytic Stab20 related phages infect kill aureus. However, mixed communities, producers inhibitory like haemolyticus, caprae, pseudintermedius agr, thereby impeding infection. Our results demonstrate cross-species interactions dramatically impact susceptibility. These likely influence microbial ecology efficacy medical biotechnological applications such as therapy.