The Escherichia coli Inner Membrane Protein YhiM is Necessary for Efficient Attachment of Bacteriophage T4

Abstract

Bacteriophages are obligate intracellular parasites, but many of the cellular proteins involved in replication have not been identified. We have tested the role of the inner membrane protein YhiM in bacteriophage replication. YhiM is a conserved (21) membrane protein in Escherichia coli (E. coli) thought to be localized to the cytoplasmic membrane that is necessary for cell survival under conditions of cell stress, including acid shock, low osmolarity and high temperature. We show here that YhiM is necessary for replication of the bacteriophage T4. It also plays a modest role in the replication of T1, T3, and T5 but it does not play a role in the replication of ΦX174. Our data indicated that no replication of T4 occurs in cells missing YhiM. This block in infection is due to a block in attachment of the virus to the cell surface.