title: Lytic systems in lactic acid bacteria and their bacteriophages.
abstract: Lytic systems of lactic acid bacteria and their bacteriophages are reviewed with an emphasis on molecular characterization. Details of enzyme biochemistry and the cloning and analysis of lytic genes are presented, with coverage of lactococcal prolate headed bacteriophages, lactococcal isometric bacteriophages, Lactobacillus bacteriophages and lactococcal autolysins. Some comments on the importance of autolysis in cheese ripening are included and the biotechnological exploitation of cloned and characterized lytic genes is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, UK.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gasson
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001433:Bacteriolysis; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D013294:Lactococcus lactis / Q000502:physiology / Q000821:virology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D013289:Streptococcaceae / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins; D019344:Lactic Acid; D006867:Hydrolases