Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2023, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (6): 88-101.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2022-1329

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Research Progress in the Structure of Tailed Bacteriophage and Its Receptors

LI Tuo1,2(), LI Long-ping1,2(), QU Lei1,2   

  1. 1. College of Life Sciences, Yulin University, Yulin 719000
    2. Shaanxi Province Engineering & Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goat, Yulin University, Yulin 719000
  • Received:2022-10-27 Online:2023-06-26 Published:2023-07-07
  • Contact: LI Long-ping E-mail:lituo0105@126.com;llp_315@163.com

Abstract:

With the emergence and rapid spread of “super drug-resistant” bacteria, phages have become a research hot spot for antibiotic alternatives and a new way to solve the problem of antibiotic resistance and promote the healthy development of the farming industry. The key to the therapeutic role of phages is their ability of specifically lysing their host bacteria, while the specificity of phage lysis of bacteria depends on the recognition and adsorption of phage receptor-binding proteins to the receptor. Tailed bacteriophages use a broad range of receptor-binding proteins, such as tail fiber, tail spikes and the central tail spike, to target their cognate bacterial cell surface receptors lipopolysaccharide, outer membrane protein, capsule, flagella and pili, etc.,and finally the bacteria are lysed. In the present review, we systematically summarized the research advances in the types and structures of tailed bacteriophage and its receptors. We also discussed the selection strategies of phage therapeutic agents based on the research foundation of phage-host interaction mechanism. It is aimed to provide a solid theoretical foundation for the further study of the mechanism of interaction between phages and their host bacteria, modification of phages and creation of phage biocidal agents.

Key words: tailed bacteriophage, structure, receptor-binding protein, receptor