A broad-spectrum phage-encoded mechanism to disarm bacterial type IV filaments

Abstract

Phages can modify host cell physiology to thwart competitors. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa-specific phage DMS3 encodes Aqs1, a protein inhibitor of type IV pilus (T4P) function to prevent host cell recognition by other phages that leverage these filaments for infection. Aqs1 disrupts T4P by binding to the hexameric ATPase PilB, required to power pilus filament extension, though several mechanistic details remain unclear. We show that Aqs1 has broad-spectrum activity and can disrupt T4P function in a variety of Gram negative bacteria. This protein inhibits PilB by binding to a solvent-exposed hydrophobic patch on the N2-domain, distal to the active site. Binding destabilizes the hexamer, preventing PilB accumulation at T4P machines. Aqs1 likely disrupts PilB oligomerization by displacing a flexible linker segment between the PilB N1- and N2-domains required for inter-subunit contact. Together, the Aqs1 mode of action provides a design template for broad-spectrum inhibitors of diverse bacterial virulence factors. Significance The phage-encoded protein Aqs1 disables type IV pilus (T4P) production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by targeting the hexameric ATPase responsible for assembling pilus fibers. We show that despite originating from a P. aeruginosa-specific phage, Aqs1 can also disable T4 ATPase-dependent phenotypes across other pathogenic bacteria and homologous systems. Mechanistically, Aqs1 binds to a conserved patch on the PilB N2-domain away from the active site. Binding here breaks apart the PilB oligomer, preventing it from acting on T4P machines. Aqs1 binding at the N2-domain patch likely displaces a flexible PilB linker segment that binds to this site to stabilize the hexamer. Our work highlights a novel and conserved PilB allosteric site which is exploited by the phage-encoded protein Aqs1 to disrupt diverse T4 systems in multiple bacteria.