Chimeric infective particles expand species boundaries in phage inducible chromosomal island mobilization

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Conflicts of Interest

Identified Weaknesses

Rating Explanation

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Paper Summary

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Pirate PICIs Steal Phage Tails to Invade New Bacterial Species

This study reveals that capsid-forming phage-inducible chromosomal islands (cf-PICIs) can release tail-less capsids containing their DNA, which then "steal" tails from different phage species. This tail piracy creates chimeric particles capable of injecting cf-PICI DNA into new bacterial species, significantly broadening cf-PICIs host range and transfer frequency.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

None identified

Identified Weaknesses

Limited Bacterial Diversity

While cf-PICIs are widespread, this study primarily focused on Proteobacteria, mainly E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Further research is needed to confirm if tail piracy is prevalent in other bacterial phyla and if there are differences in the mechanism.

Unknown Portal Specificity

The study doesn't explain how cf-PICI particles specifically interact with their own portal protein for DNA packaging and not with the phage-encoded ones, which might reveal further intricacies of their unique mechanism.

Limited exploration of tail piracy variation

While the study briefly touches upon the promiscuity of some cf-PICIs in hijacking various phage tails, the underlying molecular reasons for this variability in interaction are not fully explored.

Rating Explanation

This study reveals a novel and fascinating mechanism of horizontal gene transfer with significant implications for bacterial evolution and pathogenicity. The combination of detailed molecular work, structural analysis (cryo-EM), and in vivo experiments makes it compelling, despite the limitations regarding broader bacterial diversity and mechanistic details which warrant further investigations.

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