Impact of Spontaneous Prophage Induction on the Fitness of Bacterial Populations and Host-microbe Interactions

Overview

Journal J Bacteriol

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2014 Nov 19

PMID 25404701

Citations 148

Authors

Arun M Nanda

Kai Thormann

Julia Frunzke

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Bacteriophages and genetic elements, such as prophage-like elements, pathogenicity islands, and phage morons, make up a considerable amount of bacterial genomes. Their transfer and subsequent activity within the host's genetic circuitry have had a significant impact on bacterial evolution. In this review, we consider what underlying mechanisms might cause the spontaneous activity of lysogenic phages in single bacterial cells and how the spontaneous induction of prophages can lead to competitive advantages for and influence the lifestyle of bacterial populations or the virulence of pathogenic strains.

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