Speaker
Karen Maxwell
(University of Toronto)
Description
Nucleus-forming jumbo phages establish infection by first enclosing their genome within an early phage infection (EPI) vesicle derived from the bacterial inner membrane. We discovered a bacterial immune system that targets this early membrane-bound stage of infection. This defence protein rapidly localizes to the site of phage infection and disrupts EPI vesicle morphology. In vitro, this defence protein can remodel bacterial lipid membranes, producing extensive membrane tubulation. Together, our findings reveal that bacterial immunity can directly target the membrane architecture required for viral replication.
Author
Karen Maxwell
(University of Toronto)
Co-authors
Landon Getz
(University of Toronto)
Vivian Liu
(University of Toronto)
Alexander Keszei
(University of Toronto)
Sam Fairburn
(University of Toronto)
Gregory Cole
(University of Toronto)
Trevor Moraes
(University of Toronto)
Michael Norris
(University of Toronto)
