title: Isolation and characterization of the Serratia entomophila antifeeding prophage.
abstract: The Serratia entomophila antifeeding prophage (Afp) is thought to form a virus-like structure that has activity towards the New Zealand grass grub, Costelytra zealandica. Through the trans based expression of AnfA1, an RfaH - like transcriptional antiterminator, the Afp, was able to be induced. The expressed Afp was purified and visualized by electron microscopy. The Afp resembled a phage tail-like bacteriocin, exhibiting two distinct morphologies: an extended and a contracted form. The purified Afp conferred rapid activity towards C. zealandica larvae, causing cessation of feeding and a change to an amber colouration within 48 h postinoculation, with increased dose rates causing larval mortality.
authors.affiliation: Biocontrol and Biosecurity, AgResearch, Canterbury Agricultural and Science Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand. mark.hurst@agresearch.co.nz
authors.forename: Mark R H
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.forename: Sam S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Beard
authors.forename: Trevor A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Sandra M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001089:Arabinose / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000382:microbiology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008954:Models, Biological; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D039002:Prophages / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012705:Serratia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000821:virology; D013696:Temperature; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D001089:Arabinose