Interaction of the maturation protein of the bacteriophage MS2 and the sex pilus of the Escherichia coli F plasmid

Timothy J. Spankie, Alexe L. Haywood, Tania Dottorini, Paul A. Barrow, Jonathan D. Hirst

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

One promising strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance is to use bacteriophages that attach to the sex pili produced by transmissible antimicrobial resistance (AMR) plasmids, infect AMR bacteria and select for loss of the AMR plasmids, prolonging the life of existing antimicrobials. The maturation protein of the bacteriophage MS2 attaches to the pili produced by Incompatibility group F plasmid-containing bacteria. This interaction initiates delivery of the viral genetic material into the bacteria. Using protein-protein docking we constructed a model of the F pilus comprising a trimer of subunits binding to the maturation protein. Interactions between the maturation protein and the F pilus were investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. In silico alanine scanning and in silico single-point mutations were explored, with the longer term aim of increasing the affinity of the maturation protein to other Incompatibility group pili, without reducing the strength of binding to F pilin. We report our computational findings on which residues are required for the maturation protein and F pilin to interact, those which had no effect on the interaction and the mutations which led to a stronger interaction.

Original languageEnglish
Article number107723
JournalJournal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling
Volume101
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Bacteriophage
  • Docking
  • Molecular dynamics simulation
  • Protein-protein interaction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Spectroscopy
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Interaction of the maturation protein of the bacteriophage MS2 and the sex pilus of the Escherichia coli F plasmid'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this