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Volume 11, Issue 4

Lactococcal phage–host profiling through binding studies between cell wall polysaccharide types and receptor-binding proteins Open Access

Abstract

Dairy fermentations using mesophilic starter cultures rely on the activity of specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as and for the acidification of milk. This biotechnological process can be affected by bacteriophage infection of LAB starter strains, which may result in delayed or even failed fermentations. Most studied lactococcal phages commence infection with the binding of a tail-associated receptor-binding protein (RBP) to a host cell surface-exposed cell wall polysaccharide (CWPS). In the present study, phage prevalence and diversity in whey samples originating from fermentations performed in various European countries employing undefined mesophilic starter cultures were investigated using phageome analysis. The range of RBP genotypes present in the phageomes and associated RBP-CWPS binding abilities were evaluated, resulting in the refinement and expansion of the RBP grouping system and the identification of several heretofore unknown RBP (sub)groups. These findings substantially expand our knowledge on lactococcal RBP diversity and their binding specificity towards CWPS receptor structures, thereby improving the predictability of fermentation outcomes and robustness of starter culture rotations and blends.

  • Received:
  • Accepted:
  • Published Online:
Keyword(s): bacteriophage , carbohydrate binding , dairy fermentation , Lactococcus cremoris , Lactococcus lactis and receptor-binding protein
Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (Award EPSPG/2020/12)
    • Principal Award Recipient: KelseyWhite
  • Science Foundation Ireland (Award SFI/12/RC/2273-P2)
    • Principal Award Recipient: NotApplicable
  • Science Foundation Ireland (Award SFI/12/RC/2273-P1)
    • Principal Award Recipient: NotApplicable
  • Science Foundation Ireland (Award 20/FFP-P/8664)
    • Principal Award Recipient: JenniferMahony
© 2025 The Authors
  • This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. This article was made open access via a Publish and Read agreement between the Microbiology Society and the corresponding author’s institution.
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2026-03-11

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/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.001395
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Lactococcal phage–host profiling through binding studies between cell wall polysaccharide types and Skunavirus receptor-binding proteins
M Gen 11, 001395 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1099/mgen.0.001395
/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.001395
/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.001395
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