Unique Activity Spectrum of Colicin F(Y): All 110 Characterized Yersinia enterocolitica Isolates Were Colicin F(Y) Susceptible

Colicin F(Y) is a plasmid encoded toxin that recognizes a yersinia-specific outer membrane protein (YiuR) as a receptor molecule. We have previously shown that the activity spectrum of colicin F(Y) comprises strains of the genus Yersinia. In this study, we analyzed the activity of colicin F(Y) against 110 Yersinia enterocolitica isolates differing in geographical origin and source. All isolates were characterized through analysis of 16S rRNA genes, serotyping, biotyping, restriction profiling of genomic DNA, detection of virulence markers and susceptibility to antibiotics. This confirmed the broad variability of the collection, in which all 110 Y. enterocolitica isolates, representing 77 various strains, were inhibited by colicin F(Y). Although isolates showed variable levels of susceptibility to colicin F(Y), it was not associated with any strain characteristic. The universal susceptibility of Y. enterocolitica strains to colicin F(Y) together with the absence of activity towards strains outside the Yersinia genus suggests potential therapeutic applications for colicin F(Y).