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Updated: May 5, 2026

Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
Published on: June 11, 2015
Bacteriophage 933W encodes a functional esterase downstream of the Shiga toxin 2a operon
Simone Nübling1, Thomas Eisele2, Helen Stöber1
1Department of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 28, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
Abstract:
In this study, the 1938bp open reading frame z1466, which is encoded directly downstream the Shiga toxin 2a (Stx2a) operon in E. coli O157:H7 phage 933W was cloned and expressed recombinantly. Purification with Ni-NTA agarose beads with subsequent SDS-PAGE revealed a 68kDa protein, designated 933Wp42-His. Analysis of 933Wp42-His demonstrated an esterase activity by activity staining of native gels using triacetin as a substrate. Purified 933Wp42-His demonstrated a Km value of about 10mM and a Vmax value of 1.667nkat/ml for 4-methylumbelliferyl-acetate (4-MUF-Ac) as a substrate. The enzyme was most active in the pH-range of 7.0-8.0, and at 50°C. Furthermore, 933Wp42-His was able to hydrolyze acetic acid from mucin, and 5-N-acetyl-9-O-acetyl neuraminic acid (Neu5,9Ac2). This is the first description of an enzymatic activity of the Stx-phage-encoded protein 933Wp42. Its role in substrate utilization during colonization and human infection is discussed.
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