Controlling Activity of Lysogenic Phages by Small Molecule Inducers and Dysregulators

ongoing

The human microbiome has been increasingly in the focus of research for its importance in human health and disease. Yet, the viruses (phages) infecting these microbiota have gained much less attention. The majority of phages reside integrated in the genomes of their microbial hosts as so called lysogenic prophages. Often, these prophages encode important toxins and other virulence related factors that, while they are beneficial to their microbial hosts, may be detrimental for the infected human. Prophages can be induced under certain conditions to resume a lytic lifestyle resulting in the production of virus particles and often in the destruction of the host cell. Frequently, however, phage induction also leads to increased production of virulence factors. In this project, we aim to uncover small molecules modulating phage induction. We will explore to what extent microbial metabolites of human microbiota act as native triggers or inhibitors of phage induction and shape the complex interspecies interactions in the microbiome. The corresponding phage inducing or dysregulating metabolites will be isolated to elucidate their chemical structure and unveil their molecular targets. We will develop chemical tools to dissect and interrogate the responsible mechanisms and finally develop customized synthetic modulators that allow us to achieve control over the activity of phage-microbe systems with specific medical relevance. The integrated approach of the CAPSID project will provide first comprehensive insights into the chemistry of microbe-phage interactions and allow to assess its role for infectious diseases and its potential for customized treatment of microbial pathogens.