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Updated: Sep 26, 2025
Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
Published on: June 11, 2015
Enterococcus faecalis Bacteriophage vB_EfaS_efap05-1 Targets the Surface Polysaccharide and ComEA Protein as the
Lingqiong Huang1,2, Wenqiong Guo3, Jiahui Lu4
1Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, China.
Abstract:
Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that causes nosocomial infections in humans. Due to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance of E. faecalis, bacteriophage therapy is a promising option for treating of E. faecalis infection. Here, we characterized a lytic E. faecalis bacteriophage vB_EfaS_efap05-1 with a dsDNA genome of 56,563 bp. Phage vB_EfaS_efap05-1 had a prolate head and a tail, and belongs to Saphexavirus which is a member of Siphoviridae. Efap05-1 uses either surface polysaccharide or membrane protein ComEA as the receptor because the mutation of both genes (ComEA and UDP-glucose 4-epimerase galE) prevents phage adsorption and leads to phage resistance, and complementation of ComEA or galE could recover its phage sensitivity. Our results provided a comprehensive analysis of a new E. faecalis phage and suggest efap05-1 as a potential antimicrobial agent.
Insights
A new bacteriophage, efap05-1, effectively targets the opportunistic pathogen Enterococcus faecalis. This discovery offers a promising alternative to antibiotics for treating E. faecalis infections, particularly those resistant to current drugs.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen causing significant nosocomial infections.
- Antibiotic resistance in E. faecalis necessitates alternative therapeutic strategies.
- Bacteriophage therapy presents a viable alternative for combating E. faecalis infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a novel lytic Enterococcus faecalis bacteriophage, designated vB_EfaS_efap05-1.
- To elucidate the receptor binding mechanism of bacteriophage efap05-1.
- To evaluate the potential of bacteriophage efap05-1 as an antimicrobial agent.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of the lytic bacteriophage vB_EfaS_efap05-1.
- Genomic analysis of the bacteriophage's dsDNA genome (56,563 bp).
- Identification of phage receptors through gene mutation and complementation studies (ComEA and galE).
Main Results:
- Bacteriophage vB_EfaS_efap05-1, a member of Saphexavirus (Siphoviridae), was fully characterized.
- The phage utilizes surface polysaccharide or the ComEA membrane protein as receptors.
- Mutations in ComEA or galE genes conferred resistance, while complementation restored sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriophage efap05-1 is a novel, lytic agent against Enterococcus faecalis.
- Understanding its receptor usage provides insights into phage-host interactions.
- Efap05-1 shows significant potential as a therapeutic antimicrobial agent against E. faecalis infections.
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