The cell surface-associated rhamnose-glucose polysaccharide represents the receptor of <i>Streptococcus thermophilus</i> bacteriophage P738.

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus thermophilus is a key lactic acid bacterial species extensively used in dairy fermentations, where bacteriophage (phage) infections pose a significant threat to production efficiency. While the cell surface receptors for four of the five currently known streptococcal phage genera have previously been identified, the specific host-encoded receptor for the P738 phage group has not been elucidated to date. In this study, P738 bacteriophage-insensitive mutants of S. thermophilus UCCSt50 were isolated, and whole-genome sequencing revealed mutations in a glycosyltransferase-encoding gene within the rgp locus, responsible for the biosynthesis of the cell wall-associated rhamnose-glucose polysaccharide (RGP). Compositional and methylation ana

SUBMITTER: Kampff Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12542673 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature