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Mutations in Gordonia amarae mycolic acid biosynthetic pathway confer resistance to Patescibacteria parasite Mycosynbacter amalyticus

Author

Listed:
  • Jayson J. A. Rose

    (La Trobe University
    La Trobe University)

  • Matthew D. Johnson

    (The University of Melbourne
    University of Melbourne)

  • Milad Reyhani

    (The University of Melbourne
    University of Melbourne)

  • Steven Batinovic

    (La Trobe University)

  • Robert J. Seviour

    (La Trobe University)

  • Debnath Ghosal

    (The University of Melbourne
    University of Melbourne)

  • Steve Petrovski

    (La Trobe University
    La Trobe University)

Abstract

The obligate necrotrophic parasite, Candidatus Mycosynbacter amalyticus, a member of the Patescibacteria has been isolated from wastewater. Subsequent efforts have been directed toward unravelling its biological lifecycle and attachment mechanism facilitating infection and subsequent lysis of its Actinobacterial host, Gordonia amarae. Here, using electron cryo-tomography (CryoET), we reveal the molecular anatomy of parasitic Mycosynbacter amalyticus cells, uncovering an unusual infection process. Through laboratory-based evolution experiments, we generated eleven slow-growing independent spontaneous Gordonia amarae resistant mutants. Mycolic acids (MA) are key components of the outer cellular envelope of G. amarae and other Actinobacteria, with MA being the physical attribute implicated in G. amarae associated wastewater foaming. CryoET and genome sequencing exposed absence of intact MA and an associated suite of mutations predominantly occurring within the pks13 and pptT genes of the MA biosynthetic pathway. Our findings suggest that MA structural integrity is critical for attachment of Ca. Mycosynbacter amalyticus to its host.

Suggested Citation

  • Jayson J. A. Rose & Matthew D. Johnson & Milad Reyhani & Steven Batinovic & Robert J. Seviour & Debnath Ghosal & Steve Petrovski, 2025. "Mutations in Gordonia amarae mycolic acid biosynthetic pathway confer resistance to Patescibacteria parasite Mycosynbacter amalyticus," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56933-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56933-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Moreira & Yvan Zivanovic & Ana I. López-Archilla & Miguel Iniesto & Purificación López-García, 2021. "Reductive evolution and unique predatory mode in the CPR bacterium Vampirococcus lugosii," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Anna Sartori-Rupp & Diégo Cordero Cervantes & Anna Pepe & Karine Gousset & Elise Delage & Simon Corroyer-Dulmont & Christine Schmitt & Jacomina Krijnse-Locker & Chiara Zurzolo, 2019. "Correlative cryo-electron microscopy reveals the structure of TNTs in neuronal cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Matthew D. Johnson & Doulin C. Shepherd & Hiroyuki D. Sakai & Manasi Mudaliyar & Arun Prasad Pandurangan & Francesca L. Short & Paul D. Veith & Nichollas E. Scott & Norio Kurosawa & Debnath Ghosal, 2024. "Cell-to-cell interactions revealed by cryo-tomography of a DPANN co-culture system," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
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