Phage genomes carry mutable regions that hedge against defenses
Researchers studying Escherichia coli phages T2 and T4 identified contingency loci, hypermutable DNA regions where DNA polymerase slippage on simple sequence repeats causes reversible frameshift mutations. Using experimental evolution and genome sequencing, the study, published in Nature Microbiology, showed these loci generate genomic and phenotypic heterogeneity among phage progeny. The team also found simple sequence repeats widespread across diverse E. coli phage genomes, varying in abundance by gene function.
The findings, from bacterial and phage cultures, describe how phages diversify to evade host defenses, with no stated human health application.
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