Mikrobiol. Z. 2017; 79(1):114-126.
doi: https://doi.org/10.15407/microbiolj79.01.114

The Phenomenon of Phage Mediated Phage Induction in Erwinia “horticola”
and the Origin of Bacteriophages 49 and 59

Tovkach F.I., Zlatohurska M.A.

Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, NAS of Ukraine
154 Akad. Zabolotny Str., Kyiv, 03143, Ukraine

In this work a new phenomenon named phage mediated phage induction was described for the frst time. It implies that exogenous unrelated bacteriophages provoke induction of endogenous phages in pseudolysogenic cells. The release of two temperate phages 49, 59 and one virulent phage E105 occurs as a result of interaction between amylovora-like non-pectolytic bacteria E. “horticola” and phage tail-like macromolecular carotovoricins, Escherichia coli phages T2 and T4. The consequences of phage mediated phage induction are always the same for all three inducing factors. The primary production of induced phages is carried out in a form of abortive infection with an abundance of such viral components as procapsids, separate capsids and tails. Unusual rounded structures with an ability to form conglomerates were observed in the lysates.
The mechanism of phage mediated phage induction is still unknown. However, it can be assumed that the population of E. “horticola” is pseudolysogenic and the induction of productive or lysogenic development of endogenous phages is initiated by some signaling mechanisms after adsorption and the following readsorption of an exogenous inducing phage.
In connection with phage mediated phage induction, the origin of temperate phages 49, 59 and virulent phage E105 was reviewed. They should be considered as phages of E. “horticola”, rather than Pectobacterium (Erwinia) сarotovorum.

Key words: Erwinia “horticola”, phages 49, 59 and E105, pseudolysogeny, phage mediated phage induction, abortive infection.

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