Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage UNL-1, a bacterial virus with a novel UV-A-inducible DNA damage reactivation phenotype.
UNL-1, a lytic virus of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was observed to express a novel inducible DNA damage reactivation activity in UV-A-irradiated P. aeruginosa host cells. The expression of bacteriophage reactivation was quantified in hosts exposed to either UV-C or UV-A radiation. While reactivation of UV-C-damaged UNL-1 was not inducible in UV-C-irradiated host cells, an approximately 13-fold induction was observed in UV-A-irradiated host cells. When host cells were exposed to sunlight, reactivation of damaged UNL-1 virus increased eightfold. The UV-A induction of UNL-1 DNA damage reactivation was supported in hosts lacking recA gene function. This report is the first description of a recA-independent, UV-inducible virus DNA damage repair system. Our findings suggest that a combination of both host and virus DNA repair processes contribute to the persistence and sustained replication of some bacterial viruses in aquatic environments.
Shaffer
J J
JJ
School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0666, USA.
Jacobsen
L M
LM
Schrader
J O
JO
Lee
K W
KW
Martin
E L
EL
Kokjohn
T A
TA
D001482:Base Composition; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D017105:Pseudomonas Phages / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000821:virology*; D013472:Sunlight; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014775:Virus Activation
D004279:DNA, Viral