Bacteriophage PAK_P3 genome structuration and dynamics during infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa reveal specific interaction patterns
Abstract
While the dynamic changes in genome organization in cellular organisms have been well described, the three-dimensional (3D) folding of phage genomes during the infection of their host is extremely limited. Understanding how phage genomes fold, invade, and rearrange the genome of their host to functionally organize the optimal expression of their genes remains unknown. Here, we explore the spatial dynamics of the virulent double-stranded DNA phage PAK_P3 during infection of its host Pseudomonas aeruginosa and reveal how its genome rapidly decondenses to adopt a specific 3D organization that reflects its transcriptional program. Concomitantly, the host genome decondenses as gene expression wanes and transcription-induced domains vanish. We also uncover specific contacts of the phage genome with host chromosome, showing how the phage genome exploits the spatial genome architecture of its host to succeed in its infection cycle. Our data highlight an unprecedented level of genome folding and gene expression regulation during a viral infection.
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BibTeX
@article{bignaud2026bacteriophage,
title = {{Bacteriophage PAK_P3 genome structuration and dynamics during infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa reveal specific interaction patterns}},
author = {Amaury Bignaud and Quentin Lamy-Besnier and Devon E Conti and Agnès Thierry and Fabien Girard and Pauline Misson and Romain Koszul and Laurent Debarbieux and Martial Marbouty},
journal = {Science Advances},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1126/sciadv.aef2512},
url = {https://pasteur.hal.science/pasteur-05734344v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Bacteriophage PAK_P3 genome structuration and dynamics during infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa reveal specific interaction patterns
AU - Amaury Bignaud
AU - Quentin Lamy-Besnier
AU - Devon E Conti
AU - Agnès Thierry
AU - Fabien Girard
AU - Pauline Misson
AU - Romain Koszul
AU - Laurent Debarbieux
AU - Martial Marbouty
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/26
JO - Science Advances
DO - 10.1126/sciadv.aef2512
UR - https://pasteur.hal.science/pasteur-05734344v1
AB - While the dynamic changes in genome organization in cellular organisms have been well described, the three-dimensional (3D) folding of phage genomes during the infection of their host is extremely limited. Understanding how phage genomes fold, invade, and rearrange the genome of their host to functionally organize the optimal expression of their genes remains unknown. Here, we explore the spatial dynamics of the virulent double-stranded DNA phage PAK_P3 during infection of its host Pseudomonas aeruginosa and reveal how its genome rapidly decondenses to adopt a specific 3D organization that reflects its transcriptional program. Concomitantly, the host genome decondenses as gene expression wanes and transcription-induced domains vanish. We also uncover specific contacts of the phage genome with host chromosome, showing how the phage genome exploits the spatial genome architecture of its host to succeed in its infection cycle. Our data highlight an unprecedented level of genome folding and gene expression regulation during a viral infection.
SN - 2375-2548
ER -