Ribitol-Containing Wall Teichoic Acid of Tetragenococcus halophilus Is Targeted by Bacteriophage phiWJ7 as a Binding...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacteriology
• Virology

Background:

• Tetragenococcus halophilus is crucial for soy sauce fermentation.
• Bacteriophage infections pose a significant industrial challenge, causing fermentation failures.
• Understanding tetragenococcal host-phage interactions is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanisms of host-phage interactions in T. halophilus.
• To identify the specific host cell components targeted by bacteriophage phiWJ7.
• To provide insights for developing strategies against phage infections in fermentation.

Main Methods:

• Generation of phage-insensitive T. halophilus derivatives.
• Whole-genome sequencing of parental and derivative strains.
• Analysis of cell wall composition and phage adsorption.
• Identification of mutations in phage-insensitive mutants.

Main Results:

• Phage-insensitive derivatives showed mutations in genes (tarL, tarI, tarJ) involved in ribitol-containing wall teichoic acid biosynthesis.
• The parental strain contained ribitol in its wall teichoic acid, while derivatives did not.
• Phage phiWJ7 adsorption to host cells was dependent on the presence of ribitol-containing wall teichoic acid.
• The complete genome sequence of tetragenococcal phage phiWJ7 was provided.

Conclusions:

• Ribitol-containing wall teichoic acid serves as the essential host receptor for bacteriophage phiWJ7 binding.
• This finding elucidates a key mechanism in tetragenococcal host-phage interactions.
• The study provides a foundation for managing phage infections in soy sauce fermentation.