Penetration of enveloped double-stranded RNA bacteriophages φ13 and φ6 into Pseudomonas syringae cells

Bacteriophages phi 6 and phi 13 are related enveloped double-stranded RNA viruses that infect gram-negative Pseudomonas syringae cells. phi 6 uses a pilus as a receptor, and phi 13 attaches to the host lipopolysaccharide. We compared the entry-related events of these two viruses, including receptor binding, envelope fusion, peptidoglycan penetration, and passage through the plasma membrane. The infection-related events are dependent on the multiplicity of infection in the case of phi 13 but not with phi 6. A temporal increase of host outer membrane permeability to lipophilic ions was observed from 1.5 to 4 min postinfection in both virus infections. This enhanced permeability period coincided with the fast dilution of octadecyl rhodamine B-labeled virus-associated lipid molecules. This result is in agreement with membrane fusion, and the presence of temporal virus-derived membrane patches on the outer membrane. Similar to phi 6, phi 13 contains a thermosensitive lytic enzyme involved in peptidoglycan penetration. The phage entry also caused a limited depolarization of the plasma membrane. Inhibition of host respiration considerably decreased the efficiency of irreversible virus binding and membrane fusion. An active role of cell energy metabolism in restoring the infection-induced defects in the cell envelope was also observed.