Reverse transcriptase-mediated tropism switching in Bordetella bacteriophage.
Host-pathogen interactions are often driven by mechanisms that promote genetic variability. We have identified a group of temperate bacteriophages that generate diversity in a gene, designated mtd (major tropism determinant), which specifies tropism for receptor molecules on host Bordetella species. Tropism switching is the result of a template-dependent, reverse transcriptase-mediated process that introduces nucleotide substitutions at defined locations within mtd. This cassette-based mechanism is capable of providing a vast repertoire of potential ligand-receptor interactions.
Liu
Minghsun
M
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Deora
Rajendar
R
Doulatov
Sergei R
SR
Gingery
Mari
M
Eiserling
Frederick A
FA
Preston
Andrew
A
Maskell
Duncan J
DJ
Simons
Robert W
RW
Cotter
Peggy A
PA
Parkhill
Julian
J
Miller
Jeff F
JF
D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016950:Bordetella bronchiseptica / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D005814:Genes, Viral; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016679:Genome, Viral; D009154:Mutation; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000378:metabolism; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D013698:Templates, Genetic
D011991:Receptors, Virus; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase