Our researchers have recently published their latest article in Frontiers in Microbiology, a paper titled “Revisiting Phage Tail Spike Architecture: Evidence for Undetected Receptor-Binding Proteins in Caudoviricetes with Non-Contractile Tails.”

The study investigated receptor-binding proteins (RBPs) in bacteriophages, crucial for their interaction with bacterial cells. Our findings revealed that certain phages (from the genera Dhillonvirus, Traversvirus, and Littlefixvirus) lack a known receptor-binding domain. Importantly, we identified previously unannotated proteins that likely facilitate receptor recognition, suggesting an additional, unidentified protein at the tail spike’s tip. This discovery significantly advances our understanding of bacteriophage-host interactions and holds implications for developing phage-based therapies.

Explore the full open-access article here.

This research exemplifies Proteon Pharmaceuticals’ mission to leverage cutting-edge science for innovative solutions in animal health, contributing to a sustainable future through pioneering biotechnological advancements.

The article was published on 16th July 2025.

Publication authors: Rafał Matusiak, Magdalena Antczak, Anna Kawa, Małgorzata Paszkiewicz,  Jolanta Witaszewska, Joanna Kazimierczak and Ewelina Wójcik.

See more publications from our research team here.