Klebsiella Phage Research Articles

Isolation of Potential Phages against Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Isolates: Promising Agents in the Rivers of Kathmandu, Nepal.

Bacteriophages are being the subject of interest for alternative antimicrobial therapy for infectious diseases in recent years. Therapeutic effectiveness regarding phage therapy is a matter of concern since it is the most promising biological treatment of this era. Hence, the present study was aimed to isolate the potential bacteriophages present in river water samples and to analyze their host range among clinical strains of bacteria. Ten different locations of Kathmandu valley were selected for the collection of river water for the detection of probable phages. Bacteriophages were isolated from water samples using the double agar overlay method. Isolated phages were purified by diluting in the SM-buffer and filtering through 0.22 μm filter. Purified lysate was further processed for analyzing its host range by using spot method. Their host range was characterized against 20 bacterial strains, including multidrug-resistant. Total 67 different phages were isolated against 8 different host organisms. Out of them, forty-seven phages were selected for analyzing its host range. Among them, Serratia phages (ΦSER) had the broad host range infecting 17 different bacterial strains including multidrug-resistant harboring ESBL and MBL genotypes. However, Klebsiella phages (ΦKP) had narrow host range in comparison to other phages. Isolated phages had the potential effect against clinical strains of bacteria along with their broader host spectrum. Most importantly, promising effect against MDR pathogens in this study has raised the probable chances of the utility of these phages for biological control of bacterial infection including MBL and ESBL strains.

Capsule-Targeting Depolymerase, Derived from Klebsiella KP36 Phage, as a Tool for the Development of Anti-Virulent Strategy

The rise of antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, a leading nosocomial pathogen, prompts the need for alternative therapies. We have identified and characterized a novel depolymerase enzyme encoded by Klebsiella phage KP36 (depoKP36), from the Siphoviridae family. To gain insights into the catalytic and structural features of depoKP36, we have recombinantly produced this protein of 93.4 kDa and showed that it is able to hydrolyze a crude exopolysaccharide of a K. pneumoniae host. Using in vitro and in vivo assays, we found that depoKP36 was also effective against a native capsule of clinical K. pneumoniae strains, representing the K63 type, and significantly inhibited Klebsiella-induced mortality of Galleria mellonella larvae in a time-dependent manner. DepoKP36 did not affect the antibiotic susceptibility of Klebsiella strains. The activity of this enzyme was retained in a broad range of pH values (4.0–7.0) and temperatures (up to 45 °C). Consistently, the circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy revealed a highly stability with melting transition temperature (Tm) = 65 °C. In contrast to other phage tailspike proteins, this enzyme was susceptible to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) denaturation and proteolytic cleavage. The structural studies in solution showed a trimeric arrangement with a high β-sheet content. Our findings identify depoKP36 as a suitable candidate for the development of new treatments for K. pneumoniae infections.

Klebsiella phages representing a novel clade of viruses with an unknown DNA modification and biotechnologically interesting enzymes

Lytic bacteriophages and phage-encoded endolysins (peptidoglycan hydrolases) provide a source for the development of novel antimicrobial strategies. In the present study, we focus on the closely related (96 % DNA sequence identity) environmental myoviruses vB_KpnM_KP15 (KP15) and vB_KpnM_KP27 (KP27) infecting multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca strains. Their genome organisation and evolutionary relationship are compared to Enterobacter phage phiEap-3 and Klebsiella phages Matisse and Miro. Due to the shared and distinct evolutionary history of these phages, we propose to create a new phage genus “Kp15virus” within the Tevenvirinae subfamily. In silico genome analysis reveals two unique putative homing endonucleases of KP27 phage, probably involved in unrevealed mechanism of DNA modification and resistance to restriction digestion, resulting in a broader host spectrum. Additionally, we identified in KP15 and KP27 a complete set of lysis genes, containing holin, antiholin, spanin and endolysin. By turbidimetric assays on permeabilized Gram-negative strains, we verified the ability of the KP27 endolysin to destroy the bacterial peptidoglycan. We confirmed high stability, absence of toxicity on a human epithelial cell line and the enzymatic specificity of endolysin, which was found to possess endopeptidase activity, cleaving the peptide stem between l-alanine and d-glutamic acid.

Engineering Modular Viral Scaffolds for Targeted Bacterial Population Editing

Bacteria are central to human health and disease, but existing tools to edit microbial consortia are limited. For example, broad-spectrum antibiotics are unable to accurately manipulate bacterial communities. Bacteriophages can provide highly specific targeting of bacteria, but assembling well-defined phage cocktails solely with natural phages can be a time-, labor- and cost-intensive process. Here, we present a synthetic-biology strategy to modulate phage host ranges by engineering phage genomes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We used this technology to redirect Escherichia coli phage scaffolds to target pathogenic Yersinia and Klebsiella bacteria, and conversely, Klebsiella phage scaffolds to target E. coli by modular swapping of phage tail components. The synthetic phages achieved efficient killing of their new target bacteria and were used to selectively remove bacteria from multi-species bacterial communities with cocktails based on common viral scaffolds. We envision that this approach will accelerate phage-biology studies and enable new technologies for bacterial population editing.

A suggested new bacteriophage genus, "Kp34likevirus", within the Autographivirinae subfamily of Podoviridae.

Klebsiella pneumoniae phages vB_KpnP_SU503 (SU503) and vB_KpnP_SU552A (SU552A) are virulent viruses belonging to the Autographivirinae subfamily of Podoviridae that infect and kill multi-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates. Phages SU503 and SU552A show high pairwise nucleotide identity to Klebsiella phages KP34 (NC_013649), F19 (NC_023567) and NTUH-K2044-K1-1 (NC_025418). Bioinformatic analysis of these phage genomes show high conservation of gene arrangement and gene content, conserved catalytically active residues of their RNA polymerase, a common and specific lysis cassette, and form a joint cluster in phylogenetic analysis of their conserved genes. Also, we have performed biological characterization of the burst size, latent period, host specificity (together with KP34 and NTUH-K2044-K1-1), morphology, and structural genes as well as sensitivity testing to various conditions. Based on the analyses of these phages, the creation of a new phage genus is suggested within the Autographivirinae, called “Kp34likevirus” after their type phage, KP34. This genus should encompass the recently genome sequenced Klebsiella phages KP34, SU503, SU552A, F19 and NTUH-K2044-K1-1.

Complete nucleotide sequence of Klebsiella phage P13 and prediction of an EPS depolymerase gene.

The complete genome of Klebsiella phage P13 was sequenced and analyzed. Bacteriophage P13 has a double-stranded linear DNA with a length of 45,976 bp and a G+C content of 51.7 %, which is slightly lower than that of Klebsiella pneumoniae KCTC 2242. The codon biases of phage P13 are very similar to those of SP6-like phages and K. pneumoniae KCTC 2242. Bioinformatics analysis shows that the phage P13 genome has 282 open reading frames (ORFs) that are greater than 100 bp in length, and 50 of these ORFs were identified as predicted genes with an average length of 833 bp. Among these genes, 41 show homology to known proteins in the GenBank database. The functions of the 24 putative proteins were investigated, and 13 of these were found to be highly conserved. According to the homology analysis of the 50 predicted genes and the whole genome, phage P13 is homologous to SP6-like phages. Furthermore, the morphological characteristics of phage P13 suggest that it belongs to the SP6-like viral genus of the Podoviridae subfamily Autographivirinae. Two hypothetical genes encoding an extracellular polysaccharide depolymerase were predicted using PSI-BLAST. This analysis serves as groundwork for further research and application of the enzyme.

Supersize me: Cronobacter sakazakii phage GAP32

Cronobacter sakazakii is a Gram-negative pathogen found in milk-based formulae that causes infant meningitis. Bacteriophages have been proposed to control bacterial pathogens; however, comprehensive knowledge about a phage is required to ensure its safety before clinical application. We have characterized C. sakazakii phage vB_CsaM_GAP32 (GAP32), which possesses the second largest sequenced phage genome (358,663bp). A total of 571 genes including 545 protein coding sequences and 26 tRNAs were identified, thus more genes than in the smallest bacterium, Mycoplasma genitalium G37. BLASTP and HHpred searches, together with proteomic analyses reveal that only 23.9% of the putative proteins have defined functions. Some of the unique features of this phage include: a chromosome condensation protein, two copies of the large subunit terminase, a predicted signal-arrest-release lysin; and an RpoD-like protein, which is possibly involved in the switch from immediate early to delayed early transcription. Its closest relatives are all extremely large myoviruses, namely coliphage PBECO4 and Klebsiella phage vB_KleM-RaK2, with whom it shares approximately 44% homologous proteins. Since the homologs are not evenly distributed, we propose that these three phages belong to a new subfamily.

Properties of Klebsiella phage P13 and associated exopolysaccharide depolymerase

The bacteriophage P13 that infects Klebsiella serotype K13 contains a heat-stable depolymerase capable of effective degradation of exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by this microorganism. In this study, the titer of phage P13, initially 2.0 × 107 pfu mL−1, was found increasing 20 min after infection and reached 5.0 × 109 pfu mL−1 in 60 min. Accordingly, the enzyme activity of depolymerase approached the maximum 60 min after infection. Treatment at 70°C for 30 min inactivated all the phage, but retained over 90% of the depolymerase activity. Addition of acetone into the crude phage lysate led to precipitation of the protein, with a marked increase in bacterial EPS degradation activity and a rapid drop in the titer of phage. After partial purification by acetone precipitation and ultrafiltration centrifugation, the enzyme was separated from the phage particles, showing two components with enzyme activity on Q-Sepharose Fast Flow. The soluble enzyme had an optimum degradation activity at 60°C and pH 6.5. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that the phage P13 particles were spherical with a diameter of 50 nm and a short stumpy tail. It was a double-strand DNA virus consisting of a nucleic acid molecule of 45976 bp. This work provides an efficient purification operation including thermal treatment and ultrafiltration centrifugation, to dissociate depolymerase from phage particles. The characterization of phage P13 and associated EPS depolymerase is beneficial for further application of this enzyme.

Characterising the biology of novel lytic bacteriophages infecting multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

BackgroundMembers of the genus Klebsiella are among the leading microbial pathogens associated with nosocomial infection. The increased incidence of antimicrobial resistance in these species has propelled the need for alternate/combination therapeutic regimens to aid clinical treatment. Bacteriophage therapy forms one of these alternate strategies.MethodsElectron microscopy, burst size, host range, sensitivity of phage particles to temperature, chloroform, pH, and restriction digestion of phage DNA were used to characterize Klebsiella phages.Results and conclusionsOf the 32 isolated phages eight belonged to the family Myoviridae, eight to the Siphoviridae whilst the remaining 16 belonged to the Podoviridae. The host range of these phages was characterised against 254 clinical Enterobacteriaceae strains including multidrug resistant Klebsiella isolates producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). Based on their lytic potential, six of the phages were further characterised for burst size, physicochemical properties and sensitivity to restriction endonuclease digestion. In addition, five were fully sequenced. Multiple phage-encoded host resistance mechanisms were identified. The Siphoviridae phage genomes (KP16 and KP36) contained low numbers of host restriction sites similar to the strategy found in T7-like phages (KP32). In addition, phage KP36 encoded its own DNA adenine methyltransferase. The φKMV-like KP34 phage was sensitive to all endonucleases used in this study. Dam methylation of KP34 DNA was detected although this was in the absence of an identifiable phage encoded methyltransferase. The Myoviridae phages KP15 and KP27 both carried Dam and Dcm methyltransferase genes and other anti-restriction mechanisms elucidated in previous studies. No other anti-restriction mechanisms were found, e.g. atypical nucleotides (hmC or glucosyl hmC), although Myoviridae phage KP27 encodes an unknown anti-restriction mechanism that needs further investigation.

Isolation and Characterisation of Lytic Bacteriophages of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca

Klebsiella bacteria have emerged as an increasingly important cause of community-acquired nosocomial infections. Extensive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in hospitalised patients has led to both increased carriage of Klebsiella and the development of multidrug-resistant strains that frequently produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases and/or other defences against antibiotics. Many of these strains are highly virulent and exhibit a strong propensity to spread. In this study, six lytic Klebsiella bacteriophages were isolated from sewage-contaminated river water in Georgia and characterised as phage therapy candidates. Two of the phages were investigated in greater detail. Biological properties, including phage morphology, nucleic acid composition, host range, growth phenotype, and thermal and pH stability were studied for all six phages. Limited sample sequencing was performed to define the phylogeny of the K. pneumoniae- and K. oxytoca-specific bacteriophages vB_Klp_5 and vB_Klox_2, respectively. Both of the latter phages had large burst sizes, efficient rates of adsorption and were stable under different adverse conditions. Phages reported in this study are double-stranded DNA bacterial viruses belonging to the families Podoviridae and Siphoviridae. One or more of the six phages was capable of efficiently lysing ~63 % of Klebsiella strains comprising a collection of 123 clinical isolates from Georgia and the United Kingdom. These phages exhibit a number of properties indicative of potential utility in phage therapy cocktails.

Efficacy of Bacteriophage Treatment in Murine Burn Wound Infection Induced by Klebsiella pneumoniae

In the present study, the therapeutic potential of purified and well-characterized bacteriophages was evaluated in thermally injured mice infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae B5055. The efficacy of five Klebsiella phages (Kpn5, Kpn12, Kpn13, Kpn17, and Kpn22) was evaluated on the basis of survival rate, decrease in bacterial counts in different organs of phage-treated animals, and regeneration of skin cells as observed by histopathological examination of phage-treated skin. Toxicity studies performed with all the phages showed them to be non-toxic, as no signs of morbidity and mortality were observed in phage-treated mice. The results of the study indicate that a single dose of phages, intraperitoneally (i.p.) at an MOI of 1.0, resulted in significant decrease in mortality, and this dose was found to be sufficient to completely cure K. pneumoniae infection in the burn wound model. Maximum decrease in bacterial counts in different organs was observed at 72 h post infection. Histopathological examination of skin of phage-treated mice showed complete recovery of burn infection. Kpn5 phage was found to be highly effective among all the phages and equally effective when compared with a cocktail of all the phages. From these results, it can be concluded that phase therapy may have the potential to be used as stand-alone therapy for K.pneumoniae induces burn wound infection, especially in situations where multiple antibiotic-resistant organisms are encountered.

Cloning and expression of Klebsiella phage K11 lysozyme gene

Previously, the lysozyme gene of the Klebsiella phage K11 was partially sequenced in our lab. Using the sequence information the lysozyme gene of the Klebsiella phage K11 was amplified and cloned using the polymerase chain reaction of the pfu DNA polymerase. The nucleotide sequence of phage K11 lysozyme gene was determined. The open reading frame corresponds to a polypeptide with 151 amino acids and molecular weight of 16,932 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of this polypeptide shows 74–75% homologies to the T7 and T3 phage lysozymes. Although the gene was efficiently expressed under the control of tac promoter in Escherichia coli XL1-blue cells at 37 °C, most of the K11 lysozyme produced was insoluble. When the temperature of cell growth was lowered, however, solubility of the K11 lysozyme was increased gradually. The insoluble protein expressed at 37 °C was solubilized in 5 M guanidine–HCl and refolded in the presence of oxido-shuffling agent (GSH/GSSG). Through the refolding process the recombinant lysozyme was solubilized and purified. The purified K11 lysozyme showed transcription inhibition of K11 RNA polymerase as well as amidase activity. These results showed that the lysozyme of bacteriophage K11 is a bifunctional protein that cuts a bond in the bacterial cell wall and selectively inhibits K11 phage RNA polymerase. Also, transcription inhibition ability of K11 lysozyme with T7 or SP6 phage RNA polymerase was measured. T7 RNA polymerase was less inhibited than K11 RNA polymerase by K11 lysozyme. But SP6 RNA polymerase was not nearly inhibited by K11 lysozyme.

Protelomerase Uses a Topoisomerase IB/Y-Recombinase Type Mechanism to Generate DNA Hairpin Ends

Protelomerases are enzymes responsible for the generation of closed hairpin ends in linear DNA. It is proposed that they use a breaking-and-rejoin type mechanism to affect DNA rearrangement on specific DNA sequences. In doing so, one strand turns around and becomes the complementary strand. Using the purified enzyme from the Escherichia coli phage N15 and the Klebsiella phage φKO2 and synthetic oligonucleotide substrates, we directly demonstrate the location where the cutting/re-ligation occurs. We identified a pair of transient staggered cleavages six base-pairs apart centered around the axis of dyad symmetry of the target site. Two molecules of the protelomerase form a pair of protein-linked DNA intermediates at each 3′ end of the cleaved openings leaving a 5′-OH. Then, in a process not yet clearly defined, the partners of the two initial openings are exchanged, and the transient breaks are resealed to generate hairpin ends. The formation of 3′-covalent DNA–protein intermediates is a hallmark of the topoisomerase IB type reaction, and we have thus shown experimentally that protelomerase is a member of the tyrosine-recombinase superfamily. In addition, by introducing single nicks in the substrates as perturbation, we found that the integrity of the nucleotide chain 4 bp away from the cutting site as well as this nucleotide's complementary location on the stem if the strands were to fold into a cruciform structure are required for activity, suggesting that these locations may be important substrate–protein contacts. We determined that N15 and φKO2 protelomerases are monomers in solution and two molecules are needed to interact with the substrate to form two closed hairpin products. The target sites of protelomerases invariably consist of inverted repeats. Comparative studies using the related target sites of different protelomerases suggest that these proteins may require both sequence-specific and structure (possibly cruciform)-specific recognition for activity.

Twenty-three years of Klebsiella phage typing: a review of phage typing of 12 clusters of nosocomial infections, and a comparison of phage typing with K serotyping

To review phage typing of 12 clusters of nosocomial Klebsiella infections which occurred between 1974 and 1997, and to compare phage typing and K serotyping. Materials and methods A total of 489 clinical and laboratory Klebsiella isolates were phage typed using 110 different phage preparations and K typed by counter current immunoelectrophoresis against 77 K antisera. A total of 152 phage types (PT) and 82 K types were found. Thirty-six phage types and 14 K types were represented only by the reference type strains. Of the remaining 68 K types, 60 could be subdivided into from two to 10 phage types. Ten out of 12 clusters of nosocomial Klebsiella infections could be verified as outbreaks by phage typing, whereas two clusters were found to be accumulations of sporadic cases. K typing performed retrospectively confirmed these results. In addition, for a subset of 104 epidemiologically unrelated isolates, O typing and pulsed field gel electrophoresis typing data were available. Based on these results the discriminative power of phage typing was found to be comparable with that of K typing, but phage types were less stable and reproducible. In an outbreak situation, phage typing was found to be very useful, although it seems less suitable for long-term surveillance purposes.

Soluble expression of cloned phage K11 RNA polymerase gene in Escherichia coli at a low temperature.

The gene 1 of the Klebsiella phage K11 encoding the phage RNA polymerase was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction of the Pfu DNA polymerase, cloned and expressed under the control of tac promoter in Escherichia coli. Although the gene was efficiently expressed in E. coli BL21 cells at 37 degrees C, most of the K11 RNA polymerase produced was insoluble, in contrast to soluble expression of the cloned T7 RNA polymerase gene. Coexpression of the bacterial chaperone GroES and GroEL genes together did not help solubilize the K11 RNA polymerase. When the temperature of cell growth was lowered, however, solubility of the K11 RNA polymerase was increased substantially. It was found much more soluble when expressed at 25 degrees C than at 30 and 37 degrees C. Thus, the cloned K11 RNA polymerase gene was expressed in E. coli mostly to the soluble form at 25 degrees C. The protein was purified to homogeneity by chromatography using DEAE-Sephacel and Affigel-blue columns and was found to be active in vitro with the K11 genome or a K11 promoter. The purified K11 RNA polymerase showed highly stringent specificity for the K11 promoter. Low-level cross-reactivity was shown with the SP6 and T7 consensus promoters, while no activity shown with the T3 consensus promoter at all.

The gene for Klebsiella bacteriophage K11 RNA polymerase: Sequence and comparison with the homologous genes of phages T7, T3, and SP6

We determined the nucleotide sequence of gene 1 of Klebsiella phage K11, which is a member of the T7 group of phages. The largest open reading frame corresponds to a polypeptide with 906 amino acids and a molecular weight of 100,383 daltons. The deduced amino acid sequence of this polypeptide shows 71% homology to the T7 RNA polymerase (the product of T7 gene 1), 72% homology to the T3 RNA polymerase and 27% homology to the SP6 RNA polymerase. Divergent evolution was clearly most pronounced in the amino-terminal portion.

A high-molecular-weight fraction of smooth lipopolysaccharide in Klebsiella serotype O1:K20 contains a unique O-antigen epitope and determines resistance to nonspecific serum killing

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-antigen side chains of Klebsiella serotype O1 have been studied by using mutants selected by resistance to a Klebsiella bacteriophage designated O1-A. Two classes of LPS mutants were identified. The major group (90%) synthesized rough LPS. The remaining 10% of the mutants produced a novel LPS profile that lacked the highest-molecular-weight O-substituted molecules (HMW-LPS) but still produced lower-molecular-weight O-substituted species (LMW-LPS). By using antisera raised against mutant Klebsiella strains and antiserum specific for Pasteurella haemolytica serotype 4, it was demonstrated that HMW-LPS and LMW-LPS contain shared epitopes. HMW-LPS also contained an epitope absent in LMW-LPS. This unique epitope was recognized by a monoclonal antibody (O1-52.6) and appears to be responsible for the serological cross-reaction between the O antigens of Klebsiella O1 and Escherichia coli O19. This HMW-LPS epitope was present in eight other Klebsiella O1 isolates which were examined. Electron microscopy demonstrated that HMW-LPS excluded overlying capsular polysaccharide for a distance of 25 to 40 nm. The distance was reduced to 10 to 18 nm in strains which synthesized only LMW-LPS and to zero in rough LPS strains. The HMW-LPS of Klebsiella O1 was shown to be an important virulence determinant, since this molecule was responsible for the resistance of the bacterium to nonspecific, complement-mediated serum killing.

Use of a bacteriophage-encoded glycanase enzyme in the generation of lipopolysaccharide O side chain deficient mutants of Escherichia coli O9:K30 and Klebsiella O1:K20: role of O and K antigens in resistance to complement-mediated serum killing

Coliphage K30 lysates contain free and phage-associated forms of a bacteriophage-encoded capsule depolymerase (glycanase) enzyme, active against the serotype K30 capsular polysaccharide of Escherichia coli. The free glycanase has been purified to apparent homogeneity. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated at 450,000, and when heated in SDS at 100 degrees C, the enzyme dissociated into two subunits of 90,000 and 52,000. The glycanase enzyme was used as a reagent to reversibly degrade the capsular layers on cells of Escherichia coli O9:K30 and Klebsiella O1:K20. This treatment rendered these bacteria sensitive to their respective lipopolysaccharide-specific bacteriophages, coliphage O9-1 and Klebsiella phage O1-3. This novel approach facilitated isolation of lipopolysaccharide O antigen side chain deficient mutants which retained the ability to synthesize the capsule. The response of defined mutants, O+:K-, O-:K+, and O-:K-, to exposure to nonimmune rabbit serum was measured. Results showed that the primary barrier against complement-mediated serum killing in both Escherichia coli O9:K30 and Klebsiella O1:K20 was the O antigen side chains of the lipopolysaccharide molecules. In both strains, the capsule played no role in the determination of serum resistance.

Preparation of branched hexasaccharides by the action of a viral lyase on klebsiella K14 polysaccharide

Klebsiella K14 capsular polysaccharide was degraded by a bacteriophage-borne enzyme to afford oligosaccharides A-C which were studied by one- and two-dimensional n.m.r. spectroscopy. A and B were the repeating-unit hexasaccharide and pyruvylated hexasaccharide, respectively, while C was a dodecasaccharide. Each oligomer was terminated by a reducing mannose and a non-reducing 4-deoxy-α- l- threo-hex-4-enopyranosyluronic acid residue, indicating that the phage enzyme had cleaved the β- d-Man p-(1→4)-β- d-Glc pA linkages in the polysaccharide by a lyase, rather than the more common glycosidase, activity found with other Klebsiella bacteriophages. In this respect, the depolymerisation resembles those reported for the capsular polysaccharides of Klebsiella K5 and K64

Depolymerization of the capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella K19 by the glycanase associated with particles of Klebsiella bacteriophage φ19

The site of cleavage of the capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella K19 by the endoglycanase associated with particles of Klebsiella bacteriophage φ19 was determined. The specific cleavage of the bond Rha p-(1→2)-Rha p provided a series of oligosaccharides having rhamnose at the reducing end. The enzyme is thus an α-rhamnosidase. Structural studies on the oligomers confirmed the sequence of the repeating unit of the polysaccharide from K19. The 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. spectra of the homologous series of oligosaccharides corresponding to one, two, three, and four repeat-units exhibit important differences that denote variation of conformation with chain length. The bacteriophage acted on modified forms of K19 polysaccharide to provide a series of linear oligomers, and emphasized the essential role of the negative charge on the uronic acid in the action of the glycanase.