Wild-type Lactococcus lactis producing bacteriocin-like prophage lysins

Introduction Lactococcus is a genus of lactic acid bacteria used in the dairy industry as starter. Lactococci have been found to produce altogether more than 40 different bacteriocins, ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial proteins. All known spp. bacteriocins belong classes I and II, which are mainly heat-resistant peptides. No class III bigger heat-sensitive proteins, including phage tail-like from Unlike prophage lysins not regarded possibly because contribute autolysis, degrading host's own cell wall. Methods Wild-type lactis strain LAC460, isolated spontaneously fermented idli batter, was examined for its activity. We sequenced genome, searched culture supernatant, created knock-out mutants find out source Results discussion The LAC460 shown kill other strains with protease- lytic Three were identified supernatant. genes encoding three localized regions chromosome. By mutants, two lysins, namely LysL LysP, demonstrated be responsible resistant action consequence, could behave like targeting killing closely related bacteria. Hence, similar lysin-like novel type bacteriocins.