Dual role of phage terminase in Salmonella enterica oxidative stress response

Senfeng Zhang; Shengsheng Ma; Feizuo Wang; Chunyi Hu

doi:10.1016/j.engmic.2024.100156

Dual role of phage terminase in Salmonella enterica oxidative stress response

Eng Microbiol. 2024 Jun 4;4(3):100156. doi: 10.1016/j.engmic.2024.100156. eCollection 2024 Sep.

Authors

Senfeng Zhang¹, Shengsheng Ma¹, Feizuo Wang¹, Chunyi Hu^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
² Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
³ Precision Medicine Translational Research Programme (TRP), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore.

Abstract

The adaptive survival mechanisms of bacterial pathogens under host-induced stress are crucial for understanding pathogenesis. Recently, Uppalapati et al. revealed a unique dual function of the Gifsy-1 prophage terminase in Salmonella enterica: it acts as a transfer ribonuclease (tRNase) under oxidative stress. The Gifsy-1 prophage terminase targets and fragments tRNA^Leu to halt translation and temporarily impairs bacterial growth when exposed to high levels of ROS generated by the host immune cells. This response not only preserves genomic integrity by facilitating DNA repair but also inhibits prophage mobilization, thereby aiding in bacterial survival within vertebrate hosts. This study highlights a novel intersection between phage biology and bacterial adaptive strategies.

Keywords: Oxidative stress; Phage; SOS response; Terminase; tRNA.