RNA-seq and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed genomic and proteomic signatures during bacteriophage-host interactions in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background Understanding the biological nature of bacteriophage is important in exploring the therapeutic and biotechnological potentials of bacteriophages. However, available information is limited to the infection processes on either model phages infecting Escherichia coli or lytic phages against pathogens. The interplay between lysogenic phage and its host was rarely studied. Results We investigated the interactions between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a lysogenic bacteriophage PaP3 through RNA-seq and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-GE). Compared to the uninfected host, a total of 2,891 (51.3%) differentially expressed genes (DGEs) were identified, most of which were repressed by phages, including the changes in metabolic-related and virulence-associated genes. The RT-qPCR results showed consistent directional changes compared with the RNA-seq results. According to 2D-GE, phage structure proteins were detected after phage infection. The host proteins, such as flagella hook-associated proteins, disappeared gradually after phage infection and may be shut off by phage. Conclusions All these indicate that although lysogenic phages do not immediately lyse the host, they play a significant regulatory role in the expression of host genes. Our findings provide an expanded view of the lysogenic phage infection processes and may offer potential targets for therapeutic intervention against P. aeruginosa infections.