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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.10.08.757619

A domesticated prophage enzyme links bacterial metabolism, episymbiosis and phage fitness

Nahar, N.·Kumar, A.·Grossman, A. S.·McLean, J.·Bor, B.·Dong, P.-T.·He, X.
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Abstract

Prophages are increasingly recognized as drivers of bacterial adaptation, yet how domesticated prophage genes shape microbial symbiosis remains poorly understood. Here, we identify GDPDXhp1, a glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase encoded by prophage Xhp1 of Schaalia odontolytica XH001, as a metabolic regulator linking bacterial physiology, episymbiosis and phage fitness. Association with the epibiotic bacterium Nanosynbacter lyticus TM7x strongly induced gdpdXhp1 expression and triggered GDPDXhp1-dependent lipid droplet accumulation in XH001. GDPDXhp1 orchestrated glycerophospholipid remodeling, membrane biophysical properties, respiration and cell-surface glycan composition in XH001, thereby promoting TM7x episymbiosis. Remarkably, GDPDXhp1 was also required for productive Xhp1 infection by remodeling susceptible bacterial host envelope structures to facilitate phage-host interactions. Together, our findings reveal a domesticated prophage enzyme that contributes to bacterial metabolism, interspecies symbiosis and viral reproduction, highlighting prophage as an overlooked source of metabolic innovation in microbial symbiosis.

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Nahar, N., Kumar, A., Grossman, A. S., McLean, J., Bor, B., Dong, P.-T., He, X.. 2026-10-10. A domesticated prophage enzyme links bacterial metabolism, episymbiosis and phage fitness. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.10.08.757619

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