Phage-Resistant Mutants in Yersinia pestis
Author Information
Author(s): Filippov Andrey A., Sergueev Kirill V., He Yunxiu, Huang Xiao-Zhe, Gnade Bryan T., Mueller Allen J., Fernandez-Prada Carmen M., Nikolich Mikeljon P.
Primary Institution: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
Hypothesis
Can phage-resistant mutants of Yersinia pestis be identified and assessed for their virulence in mice?
Conclusion
Most phage-resistant Y. pestis mutants become attenuated and thus should not pose a serious problem for bacteriophage therapy of plague.
Supporting Evidence
- Six receptors for eight phages were found in different parts of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inner and outer core.
- Most spontaneous and defined phage-resistant mutants of Y. pestis were attenuated, showing an increase in LD50 and time to death.
- The loss of different LPS core biosynthesis enzymes resulted in the reduction of Y. pestis virulence.
Takeaway
Scientists studied how some bacteria can resist viruses called phages and found that many of these resistant bacteria are less harmful to mice.
Methodology
The study involved identifying phage receptors using site-directed mutagenesis and assessing the virulence of phage-resistant mutants in mice.
Participant Demographics
BALB/c mice were used for the virulence assessment.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website