AbiA, a lactococcal abortive infection mechanism functioning in Streptococcus thermophilus

The lactococcal abortive infection mechanisms AbiA and AbiG were introduced into Streptococcus thermophilus 4035, and a range of phages capable of infecting this host were examined for sensitivity to these mechanisms. AbiA proved effective against six phages: when examined at a growth temperature of 30degreesC but had no effect on any of the phages when tested at 37 or 42degreesC. AbiG failed to affect any of the S. thermophilus phages at 30, 37, or 42degreesC.