<i>Escherichia coli</i> phage ΦPNJ-9 adheres to mucus via a variant Hoc protein.

ABSTRACT: Phages, as antagonists of bacteria, hold significant promise for combating drug-resistant bacterial infections. Their host specificity allows phages to target pathogenic bacteria without disrupting the gut microbiota, offering distinct advantages in the prevention and control of intestinal pathogens. The interaction between the phage and the gut plays a crucial role in the efficacy of phage-mediated bacterial killing. However, the mechanisms underlying these interactions remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the clinically isolated T4-like phage, ΦPNJ-9, effectively adheres to the intestinal mucosa in vivo. This adhesion is mediated by the phage's Hoc protein, which interacts with MUC2 in the mucus. The Hoc protein of ΦPNJ-9 represents a variant, consisting of

SUBMITTER: Fu K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11853027 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature