Diverse defense systems and prophages in human-associated Bifidobacterium species reveal coevolutionary arms race dynamics

Docherty JAD, Cook R, Kiu R, Dyball X, Brown T, Kujawska M, Smith RL, Phillips S, Watt R, Telatin A, Tiwari S, Hall LJ, Adriaenssens E. (2025)

Cell Reports, 44, 116542

Bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium are pivotal for human health, especially in early life, where they dominate the gut microbiome in healthy infants. Bacteriophages, as drivers of gut bacterial composition, can affect bifidobacterial abundance. Here, we use a bioinformatics approach to explore direct interactions between human-associated Bifidobacterium spp. and prophages, as evidenced by their genomes. Analysis of 1,086 bifidobacterial genomes reveals the presence of complex systems that prevent viral invasion, with 34 defense systems and 56 subtypes detected, including several different CRISPR-Cas systems. CRISPR spacers target almost three-quarters of bifidobacteria-derived prophages, indicating dynamic interactions. At least one prophage is present in ~67% of strains, with phages exhibiting high genomic diversity and evidence of historical recombination. These prophages encode various defense and anti-defense systems, such as anti-CRISPR genes and restriction-modification mechanisms. Overall, this investigation reveals that coevolutionary arms race dynamics drive genomic diversity in both bifidobacteria and their phages.

Cell Reports, 44, 116542

View Publication