Abstract:
The acetic acid bacteria have mainly relevance for bacterial cellulose production and
fermented bio-products manufacture. The purpose of this study was to identify temperate
bacteriophages in a cellulose-producing bacterial strain Komagataeibacter intermedius
IMBG180. Prophages from K. intermedius IMBG180 were induced with mitomycin C and
nalidixic acid. Transmission electron microscopy analysis exhibited tailed bacteriophages
belonging to Myoviridae. A PCR assay targeting the capsid gene of the myoviruses proved
phylogenetic position of induced phages. Nalidixic acid was poor inducer of prophages,
however, it induced the OMV-like particles release. Size of OMVs depended on an antibiotic
applied for phage induction and varied in the range of 30–80 and 120–200 nm. Inside some of
them, tails of phages have been visible. Under conditions, inducing prophages, OMVs acted
as the collectors of formed phage particles, using outer membrane receptors for phage
detection (in this case, outer membrane siderophore receptor), and fulfilled therefore ―a
cleaning,‖ as well as defensive functions, preventing bacteriophage spread outside
population. This is the first description of myoviruses affiliated to K. intermedius, as well as
outer membrane vesicles interaction with phages within this host.
