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Adsorption of Bacteriophage eb7 on Streptococcus cremoris EB7

B P Keogh1, G Pettingill

  • 1Dairy Research Laboratory, Division of Food Research, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Highett, Victoria, Australia 3190.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|June 1, 1983
PubMed

Insights

Phage eb7 adsorption to Streptococcus cremoris EB7 cell walls is influenced by growth medium and enzymatic treatments. Trypsin treatment reduced phage absorption, while pepsin and rennet inhibited it, suggesting specific surface interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, playing a role in microbial ecology.
  • Bacterial cell wall composition can influence phage adsorption and infection efficiency.
  • Streptococcus cremoris is a key bacterium in dairy fermentation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the factors affecting the adsorption of phage eb7 to Streptococcus cremoris EB7 cell walls.
  • To determine the role of specific enzymes and growth conditions on phage-bacterial interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Streptococcus cremoris EB7 was cultured in M17 broth.
  • Bacterial cell walls were prepared and treated with various enzymes (trypsin, pepsin, chymosin).
  • Phage eb7 adsorption rates were quantified, including irreversible adsorption.
  • Phage eb7 was treated with d-galactosamine and l-rhamnose.

Main Results:

  • Growth in M17 broth stimulated phage eb7 adsorption at pH 4.0.
  • Trypsin treatment of cell walls decreased phage adsorption from 81% to 65%.
  • Pepsin and commercial rennet inhibited adsorption on non-trypsin-treated cell walls, unlike pure chymosin.
  • d-Galactosamine treatment inactivated phage eb7, an effect enhanced by l-rhamnose.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial cell wall surface properties significantly impact phage eb7 adsorption.
  • Enzymatic treatments reveal specific binding sites or conformational changes affecting phage interaction.
  • Phage eb7 inactivation by d-galactosamine and l-rhamnose suggests specific molecular interactions.

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