Pantailocins: phage-derived bacteriocins from <i>Pantoea ananatis</i> and <i>Pantoea stewartii</i> subsp. <i>indologenes</i>

Abstract

Phage-derived bacteriocins (tailocins) are ribosomally synthesized structures produced by bacteria in order to provide advantages against competing strains under natural conditions. Tailocins are highly specific in their target range and have proven to be effective for the prevention and/or treatment of bacterial diseases under clinical and agricultural settings. We describe the discovery and characterization of a new tailocin locus encoded within genomes of <i>Pantoea ananatis</i> and <i>Pantoea stewartii</i> subsp. <i>indologenes</i>, which may enable the development of tailocins as preventative treatments against phytopathogenic infection by these species.