Prophage induction can facilitate the in vitro dispersal of multicellular Streptomyces structures

by Hoda Jaffal, Mounia Kortebi, Pauline Misson, Paulo Tavares, Malika Ouldali, Hervé Leh, Sylvie Lautru, Virginia S. Lioy, François Lecointe, Stéphanie G. Bury-Moné

Streptomyces are renowned for their prolific production of specialized metabolites with applications in medicine and agriculture. These multicellular bacteria present a sophisticated developmental cycle and play a key role in soil ecology. Little is known about the impact of Streptomyces phage on bacterial physiology. In this study, we investigated the conditions governing the expression and production of “Samy,” a prophage found in Streptomyces ambofaciens ATCC 23877. This siphoprophage is produced simultaneously with the activation of other mobile genetic elements. Remarkably, the presence and production of Samy increases bacterial dispersal under in vitro stress conditions. Altogether, this study unveiled a new property of a bacteriophage infection in the context of multicellular aggregate dynamics.