Phages communicate across species to shape microbial ecosystems - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #arbitrium system
- #microbial ecology
- #phage communication
- Phages use arbitrium system peptides like AimP and AimR to decide between lysis and lysogeny.
- Cross-communication occurs where AimP peptides bind non-cognate AimR receptors, promoting lysogeny and reducing prophage induction.
- Structural analyses show conserved receptor features enabling cross-recognition while maintaining specificity for cognate partners.
- In mixed cultures and infections, crosstalk alters induction outcomes and favors lysogeny, impacting microbial ecology.