A lipopolysaccharide‐dependent phage infects a pseudomonad phytopathogen and can evolve to evade phage resistance

• DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16106
• Publication Date: 2022-08-01T08:13:02Z
• Authors: Suzanne L. Warring; Lucia M. Malone; Jay Jayaraman; Richard A. Easing...; Luciano A. Rigano; Rebekah A. Frampton; Sandra B. Visnovsky; Shea M. Addison; Loreto Hernandez; Andrew R. Pitman; Elena Lopez Acedo; Torsten Kleffmann; Matthew D. Templeton; Mihnea Bostina; Peter C. Fineran
• Keywords: Phage therapy; Pseudomonas syringae; Bacterial virus; Proteome

Abstract Bacterial pathogens are major causes of crop diseases, leading to significant production losses. For instance, kiwifruit canker, caused by the phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae ( Psa ), has posed a global challenge production. Treatment with copper and antibiotics, whilst initially effective, is rise bacterial resistance, requiring new biocontrol approaches. Previously, we isolated group closely related phages potential, which represent environmentally sustainable antimicrobials. However, their deployment as antimicrobials requires further insight into properties infection strategy. Here, provide an in‐depth examination genome ΦPsa374‐like show that they use lipopolysaccharides (LPS) main receptor. Through proteomics cryo‐electron microscopy ΦPsa374, revealed structural proteome this phage possess T = 9 capsid triangulation, unusual for myoviruses. Furthermore, ΦPsa374 resistance arises in planta through mutations glycosyltransferase involved LPS synthesis. Lastly, vitro evolution experiments showed overcome tail fibre protein unknown function ΦPsa374. This study provides informs against .