Outer Membrane Vesicle Production by Escherichia coli Enhances Its Defense against Phage Infection.

ABSTRACT: Several studies have investigated the multifunctional characteristics of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), but research on their role in mediating phage-bacteria interactions is limited. Employing Escherichia coli as a model, we engineered a mutant strain overproducing OMVs for protective experiments against phage infections. The addition of exogenous OMVs proved highly effective in safeguarding the bacterial host against various phages, mitigating predatory threats. Screening for phage-resistant strains and adsorption experiments revealed that inhibiting phage adsorption is a crucial pathway through which OMVs protect against phage predation. Although OMVs conferred tolerance to the phage-sensitive strains (those easily infected by phages), they could not restore the phage-resistant

SUBMITTER: Xuan G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11433858 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature