Cryptic-Prophage-Encoded Small Protein DicB Protects Escherichia coli from Phage Infection by Inhibiting Inner Membrane Receptor Proteins.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial genomes harbor cryptic prophages that have lost genes required for induction, excision from host chromosomes, or production of phage progeny. Escherichia coli K-12 strains contain a cryptic prophage, Qin, that encodes a small RNA, DicF, and a small protein, DicB, that have been implicated in control of bacterial metabolism and cell division. Since DicB and DicF are encoded in the Qin immunity region, we tested whether these gene products could protect the E. coli host from bacteriophage infection. Transient expression of the dicBF operon yielded cells that were ∼100-fold more resistant to infection by λ phage than control cells, and the phenotype was DicB dependent. DicB specifically inhibited infection by λ and other phages that use ManYZ membrane proteins for cytoplasmic entry

SUBMITTER: Ragunathan PT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6832061 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature