The Phage 21 S Family is a member of the Holin Superfamily II.
The Lambda Holin S Family is a group of integral membrane transporter proteins belonging to the Holin Superfamily III. Members of this family generally consist of the characteristic three transmembrane segments (TMSs) and are of 110 amino acyl residues (aas) in length, on average. A representative list of members belonging to this family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
The Listeria Phage A118 Holin (Hol118) Family is a group of transporters belonging to the Holin Superfamily V. A representative list of proteins belonging to the Hol118 family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
The Mycobacterial 2 TMS Phage Holin Family is a group of transporters belonging to the Holin Superfamily VII. The Mycobactrerial 2 transmembrane segment (TMS) Holins have been identified and recognized by Catalao et al (2012). The Mycobacterium phage D29 gp11 protein is a holin that, upon expression, rapidly kills both E. coli and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Shortening gp11 from its C-terminus resulted in diminished cytotoxicity and smaller holes. The two TMSs at the N-terminus alone do not integrate into the cytoplasmic membrane and do not show toxicity. Fusion of the two TMSs and a small C-terminal coiled-coil region resulted in restoration of cell killing. The second TMS is dispensable for toxicity. The gp11 C-terminal region is therefore necessary but not sufficient for toxicity.
The T4 Holin Family is a group of putative pore-forming proteins that does not belong to one of the seven holin superfamilies. T-even phage such as T4 use a holin-endolysin system for host cell lysis. Although the endolysin of phage T4 encoded by the e gene was identified in 1961, the holin was not characterized until 2001. A representative list of proteins belonging to the T4 holin family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
The Lactococcus lactis Phage r1t Holin Family is a family of putative pore-forming proteins that typically range in size between about 65 and 95 amino acyl residues (aas) in length, although a few r1t holins have been found to be significantly larger. Phage r1t holins exhibit between 2 and 4 transmembrane segments (TMSs), with the 4 TMS proteins resulting from an intragenic duplication of a 2 TMS region. A representative list of the proteins belonging to the r1t holin family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
The Mycobacterial 1 TMS Phage Holin Family was identified and recognized by Catalao et al. (2012). Members of this family are found in mycobacterial phage, exhibit a single transmembrane segment (TMSs), and are about 75 to 95 amino acyl residues in length. Although annotated as holins, members of this family are not yet functionally characterized. A representative list of proteins belonging to this family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
The Phage T1 Holin Family is represented in enterobacterial phages T1, RTP and F20, Klebsiella phage KP36, and Escherichia phage ADB-2. All of these possess a putative holin that share a high level of identity. Additionally, Gp9 of E. coli phage phiE49 is similar in sequence. These proteins are short, 55 to 71 amino acyl residues (aas) in length, and exhibit a single transmembrane segment (TMS). A representative list of proteins belonging to the T1 Holin family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
The Staphylococcusphage P68 Putative Holin Family consists of a single putative holin from Staphylococcus aureus phage P68 that is 92 amino acyl residues (aas) in length and exhibits 2 transmembrane segments (TMSs). While annotated as a holin, this protein has not been functionally characterized.[2]
The putative holin-like toxin (Hol-Tox) family consists of many small proteins, between 34 and 48 amino acyl residues (aas) with a single transmembrane segment (TMSs). Rajesh et al. first identified the gene and designated it tmp1, which coded for a 34 amino acyl peptide that acts as an antibacterial agent on gram-positive bacteria. This peptide exhibits a single transmembrane domain (TMD) that is believed to play a role in facilitating the antibacterial activity. A representative list of proteins belonging to the Hol-Tox family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
The Putative 3-4 TMS Transglycosylase-associated Holin Family is believed to be a group of holins that does not belong to one of the seven holin superfamilies. Homologues include thousands of diverse phage and bacterial proteins between 80 and 140 amino acyl residues (aas) in length that exhibit 3 to 4 transmembrane segments (TMSs). These proteins are holin-like in their size and topology and are designated 'Transglycosylase-associated', 'Putative holin', 'Phage-like transmembrane protein', 'YeaQ protein', etc. in the NCBI protein database. As of early 2016, they remain functionally uncharacterized. They derive from a wide range of bacterial and archaeal phyla including both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. These proteins are related to the RDD family in the conserved domain database. A representative list of proteins belonging to the T-A Hol family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
The CaulobacterPhage Holin (CauHol) Family consists of several putative holins of 157 to 159 amino acyl residues (aas) in length that exhibit 2 transmembrane segments (TMSs). They derive from phage specific for Caulobacter species. These proteins are not functionally characterized. A representative list of proteins belonging to the CauHol family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
The Putative Treponema 4 TMS Holin (Tre4Hol) Family consists of several proteins from Treponema species. They range in size from 100 to 110 amino acyl residues (aas) in length and exhibit 4 transmembrane segments (TMSs). A fragment has been sequenced from Treponema phage Phi td1 (D2ECI8) and was designated a putative holin.
The Putative Listeria Phage Holin (LP-Hol) Family consists of several small proteins of 41 amino acyl residues (aas) and 1 transmembrane segment (TMS). They can be found in several Listeria phage as well as in Listeria monocytogenes. While annotated as holins, these proteins remain functionally uncharacterized. A representative list of proteins belonging to the LP-Hol family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
The Flp/Fap Pilin Putative Holin (FFPP-Hol) Family is a large diverse family with members from many bacterial phyla. Some members are annotated as Flp or Fap pilin subunits; others are identified as Holin BlyA family members. They range in size of 50 to 80 amino acyl residues (aas) with a single N-terminal transmembrane segment (TMS) although one member has 99 aas and 2 TMSs. Flp homologues are included in TCDB under TC# 3.A.7.13.1 (pXO1-63) and TC# 3.A.7.15.1 (Flp-1). As in March 2016, their precise functions appear to be unknown. A representative list of proteins belonging to the FFPP-Hol family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
Gene transfer agent-release holins are holins which are believed to facilitate the lysis-dependent release of a gene transfer agent. Particularly the gene transfer agent of Rhodobacter capsulatus (RcGTA), which is known to be a bacteriophage-like genetic element that induces horizontal gene transfer. The promoter of the RcGTA gene was identified by Westbye et al. in 2013. A representative list of members belonging to the GTA-Hol family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database with homologues found in proteobacteria and caudovirales.
The Putative 3 TMS Holin (3-Hol) Family is large, consisting of many members derived from proteobacteria and their phage, all of small size and usually with 3 transmembrane segments (TMSs). A representative list of the proteins belonging to this family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database. While many of the proteins belonging to this family are annotated in holins, they remain functionally uncharacterized.
The Actinobacterial Phage Holin (APH) Family is a fairly large family of proteins between 105 and 180 amino acyl residues in length, typically exhibiting a single transmembrane segment (TMS) near the N-terminus. A representative list of proteins belonging to the APH family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
The ErwiniaPhage Phi-Ea1h Holin (EPPE-Hol) Family consists of a single protein, holin of Erwinia Phage Phi-Ea1h, which is 119 amino acyl residues in length and exhibits a single transmembrane segment (TMS). Out of three open reading frames sequenced from bacteriophage Phi-Ea1h, the second ORF encodes this holin. Kim and Geider found that no signal sequence was observed at the N-terminus of the enzyme and suggested that the holin possibly facilities the export of an which may export a lysozyme and EPS depolymerase that carries out extracellular polysaccharide (EPS)-degrading activity.
The Prophage Hp1 Hol (Hp1Hol) Family consists of a single putative holin of 69 amino acyl residues in length, exhibiting what appears to be a single transmembrane segment (TMS). It is derived from the firmicute, Clostridium hathewayi DSM 13479. This protein is functionally uncharacterized and does not appear to be homologous to other holins. It does, however, show 31% identity to a heavy metal transporter from Dethiosulfovibrio peptidovorans.
