Evolved distal tail protein of skunaviruses facilitates adsorption to exopolysaccharide-encoding lactococci.

Lactococcal skunaviruses are diverse and problematic in the industrial dairy environment. Host recognition involves the specific interaction of phage-encoded proteins with saccharidic host cell surface structures. Lactococcal plasmid pEPS6073 encodes genes required for the biosynthesis of a cell surface-associated exopolysaccharide (EPS), designated 6073-like.

Novel P335-like Phage Resistance Arises from Deletion within Putative Autolysin in .

and are broadly utilized as starter cultures for fermented dairy products and are inherently impacted by bacteriophage (phage) attacks in the industrial environment. Consequently, the generation of bacteriophage-insensitive mutants (BIMs) is a standard approach for addressing phage susceptibility in dairy starter strains. In this study, we characterized spontaneous BIMs of DGCC12699 that gained resistance against homologous P335-like phages.

DePolymerase Predictor (DePP): a machine learning tool for the targeted identification of phage depolymerases.

Biofilm production plays a clinically significant role in the pathogenicity of many bacteria, limiting our ability to apply antimicrobial agents and contributing in particular to the pathogenesis of chronic infections. Bacteriophage depolymerases, leveraged by these viruses to circumvent biofilm mediated resistance, represent a potentially powerful weapon in the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Such enzymes are able to degrade the extracellular matrix that is integral to the formation of all biofilms and as such would allow complementary therapies or disinfection procedures to be successfully applied.

Host-encoded, cell surface-associated exopolysaccharide required for adsorption and infection by lactococcal P335 phage subtypes.

and compose commercial starter cultures widely used for industrial dairy fermentations. Some lactococcal strains may produce exopolysaccharides (EPS), which have technological applications, including texture production and phage resistance. Two distinct gene clusters associated with EPS production, designated 6073-like and 7127-like, were identified on plasmids in lactococcal strains.

Dairy lactococcal and streptococcal phage-host interactions: an industrial perspective in an evolving phage landscape.

Almost a century has elapsed since the discovery of bacteriophages (phages), and 85 years have passed since the emergence of evidence that phages can infect starter cultures, thereby impacting dairy fermentations. Soon afterward, research efforts were undertaken to investigate phage interactions regarding starter strains. Investigations into phage biology and morphology and phage-host relationships have been aimed at mitigating the negative impact phages have on the fermented dairy industry.

Characterisation of a solvent-tolerant haloarchaeal (R)-selective transaminase isolated from a Triassic period salt mine.

Transaminase enzymes (TAms) are becoming increasingly valuable in the chemist's toolbox as a biocatalytic route to chiral amines. Despite high profile successes, the lack of (R)-selective TAms and robustness under harsh industrial conditions continue to prove problematic. Herein, we report the isolation of the first haloarchaeal TAm (BC61-TAm) to be characterised for the purposes of pharmaceutical biocatalysis.

Characterization of a novel ω-transaminase from a Triassic salt mine metagenome.

Chiral amines are valuable building blocks for the pharmaceutical industry, and are increasingly synthesized by transaminase-mediated (TAm) synthesis. Currently available TAms, primarily isolated from the genomes of cultured mesophilic bacteria, often suffer from a number of drawbacks, including poor substrate range and an inability to tolerate the harsh conditions often demanded by industrial processes. These characteristics have, in part, driven the search for novel biocatalysts from both metagenomic sources and extreme environments.

Insights into the structural dynamics of the bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase and its complexes.

The T7 DNA polymerase is dependent on the host protein thioredoxin (trx) for its processivity and fidelity. Using all-atom molecular dynamics, we demonstrate the specific interactions between trx and the T7 polymerase, and show that trx docking to its binding domain on the polymerase results in a significant level of stability and exposes a series of basic residues within the domain that interact with the phosphodiester backbone of the DNA template. We also characterize the nature of interactions between the T7 DNA polymerase and its DNA template.

Localised genetic heterogeneity provides a novel mode of evolution in dsDNA phages.

The Red Queen hypothesis posits that antagonistic co-evolution between interacting species results in recurrent natural selection via constant cycles of adaptation and counter-adaptation. Interactions such as these are at their most profound in host-parasite systems, with bacteria and their viruses providing the most intense of battlefields. Studies of bacteriophage evolution thus provide unparalleled insight into the remarkable elasticity of living entities.

Pf16 and phiPMW: Expanding the realm of Pseudomonas putida bacteriophages.

We present the analysis of two novel Pseudomonas putida phages, pf16 and phiPMW. Pf16 represents a peripherally related T4-like phage, and is the first of its kind infecting a Pseudomonad, with evidence suggesting cyanophage origins. Extensive divergence has resulted in pf16 occupying a newly defined clade designated as the pf16-related phages, lying at the interface of the Schizo T-Evens and Exo T-Evens.

Modular Approach to Select Bacteriophages Targeting for Their Application to Children Suffering With Cystic Fibrosis.

This review discusses the potential application of bacterial viruses (phage therapy) toward the eradication of antibiotic resistant in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). In this regard, several potential relationships between bacteria and their bacteriophages are considered. The most important aspect that must be addressed with respect to phage therapy of bacterial infections in the lungs of CF patients is in ensuring the continuity of treatment in light of the continual occurrence of resistant bacteria.

On the Interaction Between Human IQGAP1 and Actin.

IQGAPs are eukaryotic proteins which integrate signals from various sources and pass these on the cytoskeleton. Understanding how they do this requires information on the interfaces between the proteins. Here, it is shown that the calponin homology domain of human IQGAP1 (CHD1) can be crosslinked with α-actin.

Complete nucleotide sequence of phiCHU: a Luz24likevirus infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and displaying a unique host range.

A complete nucleotide sequence of the new Pseudomonas aeruginosa Luz24likevirus phiCHU was obtained. This virus was shown to have a unique host range whereby it grew poorly on the standard laboratory strain PAO1, but infected 26 of 46 clinical isolates screened, and strains harbouring IncP2 plasmid pMG53. It was demonstrated that phiCHU has single-strand interruptions in its genome.