A regulator controls both DNA damage response and anti-phage defense networks inMoraxellaceae

Abstract

DNA damage chemicals, including many antibiotics, often induce prophage induction and phage outbreaks in microbial communities, a major threat to bacterial survival. Moraxellaceae contains clinically highly relevant strains with outstanding antibiotic and radio resistance, yet their cellular-level regulation in DNA damage response and anti-phage defense is largely unknown. Here, we identified a WYL family protein that had replaced the ubiquitous SOS system in evolution and directly regulated a transcriptional network of both DNA repair genes and anti-phage defense genes under DNA damage stress. This study depicts a mechanism that how bacteria maintain immunity to phages without compromising on antibiotic resistance, and sheds light on controlling the resistance of Moraxellaceae strains in clinical practice.