Genome-wide characterization of host factors involved in single-stranded RNA and DNA phage infection pathways

A genome-wide screen in Escherichia coli identifies conserved host dependencies for F pilus-dependent ssRNA and ssDNA phage infection, with traD showing strict genogroup-specific entry requirements.

• Why it matters: Host genetic networks that enable ssRNA and ssDNA phage infection are poorly defined, limiting understanding of virome dynamics and the ability to target horizontal gene transfer.
• What they did: Genome-wide host-factor screens across ssRNA phages spanning all four Leviviricetes genogroups mapped dependencies, while gene-dosage assays tested HslU and StpA barriers and parallel assays with filamentous ssDNA phages assessed TolQRA and envelope homeostasis effects.
• The result: The map shows universal needs for primary receptor components and DsbA-mediated disulfide bond formation, identifies elevated HslU or StpA copy number as restricting infection, and links isolation-host selectivity to a horizontally acquired Klebsiella capsule that blocks many dsDNA phages but not ssRNA/ssDNA.

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