Genomic diversity of phages infecting the globally widespread genus Sulfurimonas

Abstract The widespread bacterial genus Sulfurimonas is metabolically versatile and occupies a key ecological niche in different habitats, but its interaction with bacteriophages remains unexplored. Here we systematically investigated the genetic diversity, taxonomy and interaction patterns of Sulfu...

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Main Authors: Xiaofeng Li, Ruolin Cheng, Chuanxi Zhang, Zongze Shao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Communications Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07079-4
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author Xiaofeng Li
Ruolin Cheng
Chuanxi Zhang
Zongze Shao
author_facet Xiaofeng Li
Ruolin Cheng
Chuanxi Zhang
Zongze Shao
author_sort Xiaofeng Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The widespread bacterial genus Sulfurimonas is metabolically versatile and occupies a key ecological niche in different habitats, but its interaction with bacteriophages remains unexplored. Here we systematically investigated the genetic diversity, taxonomy and interaction patterns of Sulfurimonas-associated phages based on sequenced microbial genomes and metagenomes. High-confidence phage contigs related to Sulfurimonas were retrieved from various ecosystems, clustered into 61 viral operational taxonomic units across three viral realms, including Duplodnaviria, Monodnaviria and Varidnaviria. Head-tail phages of Caudoviricetes were assigned to 19 genus-level viral clusters, the majority of which were distantly related to known viruses. Notably, diverse double jelly-roll viruses and inoviruses were also linked to Sulfurimonas, representing two commonly overlooked phage groups. Historical and current phage infections were revealed, implying viral impact on the evolution of host adaptive immunity. Additionally, phages carrying auxiliary metabolic genes might benefit hosts by compensating or augmenting sulfur metabolism. This study highlights the diversity and novelty of Sulfurimonas-associated phages with divergent tailless lineages, providing basis for further investigation of phage-host interactions within this genus.
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spelling doaj-art-2ce95a6d18c245cbab0239ae99db4f012025-08-20T02:18:35ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422024-11-017111210.1038/s42003-024-07079-4Genomic diversity of phages infecting the globally widespread genus SulfurimonasXiaofeng Li0Ruolin Cheng1Chuanxi Zhang2Zongze Shao3State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products; Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo UniversityKey Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources; State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Marine Genetic Resource, Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic ResourcesState Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products; Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo UniversityKey Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources; State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Marine Genetic Resource, Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic ResourcesAbstract The widespread bacterial genus Sulfurimonas is metabolically versatile and occupies a key ecological niche in different habitats, but its interaction with bacteriophages remains unexplored. Here we systematically investigated the genetic diversity, taxonomy and interaction patterns of Sulfurimonas-associated phages based on sequenced microbial genomes and metagenomes. High-confidence phage contigs related to Sulfurimonas were retrieved from various ecosystems, clustered into 61 viral operational taxonomic units across three viral realms, including Duplodnaviria, Monodnaviria and Varidnaviria. Head-tail phages of Caudoviricetes were assigned to 19 genus-level viral clusters, the majority of which were distantly related to known viruses. Notably, diverse double jelly-roll viruses and inoviruses were also linked to Sulfurimonas, representing two commonly overlooked phage groups. Historical and current phage infections were revealed, implying viral impact on the evolution of host adaptive immunity. Additionally, phages carrying auxiliary metabolic genes might benefit hosts by compensating or augmenting sulfur metabolism. This study highlights the diversity and novelty of Sulfurimonas-associated phages with divergent tailless lineages, providing basis for further investigation of phage-host interactions within this genus.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07079-4
spellingShingle Xiaofeng Li
Ruolin Cheng
Chuanxi Zhang
Zongze Shao
Genomic diversity of phages infecting the globally widespread genus Sulfurimonas
Communications Biology
title Genomic diversity of phages infecting the globally widespread genus Sulfurimonas
title_full Genomic diversity of phages infecting the globally widespread genus Sulfurimonas
title_fullStr Genomic diversity of phages infecting the globally widespread genus Sulfurimonas
title_full_unstemmed Genomic diversity of phages infecting the globally widespread genus Sulfurimonas
title_short Genomic diversity of phages infecting the globally widespread genus Sulfurimonas
title_sort genomic diversity of phages infecting the globally widespread genus sulfurimonas
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07079-4
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