Characterization of an E. coli Bacteriophage and the Molecular Recognition Mechanism

Characterization of an E. coli Bacteriophage and the Molecular Recognition Mechanism | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 5 December 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Characterization of an E. coli Bacteriophage and the Molecular Recognition Mechanism Authors : Yangwei Pan , Xinge Cui , Shuang Jiang , Luwei Chai , Yongkan Zhang , Ying Yang , Hongbing Liu , Xingying Mou , and Tao Le 0000-0002-2771-7744 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176492359.97355823/v1 204 views 108 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract The infection of bacteriophages begins with the specific recognition of host receptors by their receptor-binding proteins (RBPs). Although previous studies have characterized interactions between Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) bacteriophages and outer membrane protein C (OmpC), the precise molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we isolated and characterized a virulent bacteriophage, E1, that infects E. coli DH5α. Antibody blocking assays identified gp38 as its RBP, and subsequent Proteinase K treatment, pull-down, and Western blot analyses confirmed OmpC as the functional receptor. These findings demonstrated that the gp38-OmpC interaction constitutes the key molecular basis for host recognition by phage E1. Molecular simulations further revealed that residues Trp9, Arg21, Trp22, and Trp37 of gp38 are critical for OmpC binding, highlighting their essential roles in receptor recognition. Collectively, this study elucidates for the first time the molecular recognition mechanism between gp38 and OmpC at the amino acid level, providing structural insights into the host specificity of bacteriophages and a theoretical foundation for their rational engineering. Supplementary Material File (figure 1.docx) Download 8.18 MB File (figure 2.docx) Download 9.26 MB File (figure 3.docx) Download 15.62 MB File (figure 4.docx) Download 2.95 MB File (figure 5.docx) Download 28.11 MB File (figure 6.docx) Download 10.23 MB File (manuscript.docx) Download 85.12 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 05 December 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords genetics protein purification protein-protein interaction analysis research and analysis methods virus classification Authors Affiliations Yangwei Pan Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Xinge Cui Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Shuang Jiang Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Luwei Chai Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Yongkan Zhang Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Ying Yang Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Hongbing Liu Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Xingying Mou Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Tao Le 0000-0002-2771-7744 [email protected] Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 204 views 108 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Yangwei Pan, Xinge Cui, Shuang Jiang, et al. Characterization of an E. coli Bacteriophage and the Molecular Recognition Mechanism. Authorea . 05 December 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176492359.97355823/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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