Ecology of prophage-like elements in Bacillus subtilis at global and local geographical scales

• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.115197
• Publication Date: 2025-01-10T13:10:29Z
• Authors: Polonca Stefanic; Eva Stare; Valentina A. Floc...; Jasna Kovac; Robert Hertel; Ulisses Rocha; Ákos T. Kovács; Ines Mandić-Mulec; Mikael Lenz Strube; Anna Dragoš
• Keywords: Prophage; Bacterial genome size

Highlights•Local Bacillus subtilis isolates carry both common and distinct prophage elements•Phylogeny predicts presence better than geographic origin•Prophages show mutual exclusion co-dependence within host genomes•Most predicted prophages are not stress induced but increase sensitivitySummaryProphages constitute a substantial portion of bacterial genomes, yet their effects on hosts remain poorly understood. We examine the abundance, distribution, activity in using computational laboratory analyses. Genome sequences from NCBI database riverbank soil reveal primarily related to mobile genetic elements strains. Distinct previously unknown local prompt an investigation into factors shaping presence, with phylogenetic relatedness predicting repertoire slightly geographical origin. Data also that exhibit strong co-occurrence patterns genomes. Laboratory experiments indicate most cryptic, as they under DNA-damaging conditions. Importantly, responses number prophages, suggesting influence physiology. This study highlights diversity, integration patterns, potential roles B. subtilis, shedding light genome evolution phage-host dynamics.Graphical abstract