Phage-Encoded Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide Required for Lysis
Ashley Holt, Jesse Cahill, Jolene Ramsey, Cody Martin, Chandler O’Leary, Russell Moreland, Lori T. Maddox, Thushara Galbadage, Riti Sharan, Preeti Sule, Jeffrey D. Cirillo, Ry Young
Abstract
We provide evidence that phiKT produces an antimicrobial peptide for outer membrane disruption during lysis. This protein, designated as a disruptin, is a new paradigm for phage lysis and has no similarities to other known lysis genes. Although many mechanisms have been proposed for the function of antimicrobial peptides, there is no consensus on the molecular basis of membrane disruption. Additionally, there is no established genetic system to support such studies. Therefore, the phiKT disruptin may represent the first genetically tractable antimicrobial peptide, facilitating mechanistic analyses.