Involvement of the LlaKR2I methylase in expression of the AbiR bacteriophage defense system in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis KR2.

ABSTRACT: The native lactococcal plasmid, pKR223, from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis KR2 encodes two distinct bacteriophage-resistant mechanisms, the LlaKR2I restriction and modification (R/M) system and the abortive infection (Abi) mechanism, AbiR, that impedes bacteriophage DNA replication. This study completed the characterization of AbiR, revealing that it is the first Abi system to be encoded by three genes, abiRa, abiRb, and abiRc, arranged in an operon and that it requires the methylase gene from the LlaKR2I R/M system. An analysis of deletion and insertion clones demonstrated that the AbiR operon was toxic in L. lactis without the presence of the LlaKR2I methylase, which is required to protect L. lactis from AbiR toxicity. The novelty of the AbiR system resides in its

SUBMITTER: Yang JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1426540 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature