Holins are a diverse group of small proteins produced by dsDNA bacteriophages in order to trigger and control the degradation of the host's cell wall at the end of the lytic cycle. Holins form pores in the host's cell membrane, allowing lysins to reach and degrade peptidoglycan, a component of bacterial cell walls. Holins have been shown to regulate the timing of lysis with great precision. Over 50 unrelated gene families encode holins, making them the most diverse group of proteins with common function. Together with lysins, holins are being studied for their potential use as antibacterial agents.
The Phage 21 S Family is a member of the Holin Superfamily II.
The HP1 Holin Family is a member of the Holin Superfamily II. Proteins in this family are typically found to contain two transmembrane segments (TMSs) and range between 70 to 80 amino acyl residues (aas) in length. A representative list of proteins belonging to the HP1 holin family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
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 Bacillus subtilis φ29 Holin Family is a group of transporters belonging to the Holin Superfamily IV. A representative list of members belonging to the φ29 holin family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
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 2 or 3 TMS Putative Holin Family consists of many proteobacterial proteins ranging in size from about 70 to 120 amino acyl residues (aas) in length that exhibit 2 or 3 predicted transmembrane segments (TMSs). Although annotated as holins, these proteins are not yet functionally characterized. A representative list of proteins belonging to the 2/3 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 Mycobacterial Phage PBI1 Gp36 Holin Family consists of a single protein, Gp36 of Mycobacterial phage PBI1 identified by Castalao et al. (2012). Gp36 is 116 amino acyl residues (aas) in length and exhibits 2 transmembrane segments (TMSs). While annotated as a holin, this protein has not been functionally characterized.
The Putative Lactococcus lactis Holin (LLHol) Family consists of just a few proteins from Lactococcus lactis species and their phage. These proteins are small, between 61 and 78 amino acyl residues (aas) in length, and exhibit one or two transmembrane segments (TMSs). As of March 2016, LLHol proteins remain functionally uncharacterized. They are not demonstrably homologous to members of other holin families and thus do not belong to one of the seven holin superfamilies. A representative list of proteins belonging to the LLHol 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 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 Brachyspira holin (B-Hol) Family consists of several proteins from the GTA holin of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, which facilitates gene transfer agent-release to VSH-1 holin of Brachyspira pilosicoli. VSH-1 is thought to participate in cell lysis. These proteins range in size from about 85 to 145 amino acyl residues (aas) and exhibit between 2 and 4 transmembrane segments (TMSs). A representative list of proteins belonging to the B-Hol family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
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 Enterobacterial Holin (EBHol) Family consists of many closely related proteins of 100 to 120 amino acyl residues (aas) in length with a single C-terminal transmembrane segment (TMS). They derive from γ-proteobacteria of many genera: Salmonella, Escherichia, Klebsiella and Photorhabdus, and their phage. As of March 2016, these proteins have not been functionally characterized. A representative list of proteins belonging to the EBHol family can be found in the Transporter Classififcation Database.
The Putative Archaeal 2 TMS Holin (A2-Hol) Family consists of a few putative holins from Thaumarchaeota ranging in size from about 130 to 165 amino acyl residues (aas) and exhibiting 2 transmembrane segments (TMSs). A representative list of proteins belonging to the A2-Hol family can be found in the Transporter Classification Database. The archaeon, Candidatus Nitrosoarchaeum limnia, encodes adjacent genes designated Toxin Secretion/Lysis Holin. The "toxin" gene encodes a soluble protein of 325 aas stated as belonging to the "Glycosyltransferase GBT-type Superfamily". This protein brings up other glycosyltransferases in a NCBI BLAST search. The adjacent gene encodes a small protein of 132 aas and 2 TMSs that could be a holin, based on its size and topology. This protein has the UniProt accession number of S2E3C4. Paralogues are found in this same organism and other closely related species.
The Firmicute PhageφU53 Holin Family consists of putative holins that range in size from 117 to 124 amino acyl residues (aas) in length and exhibit 3 transmembrane segments (TMSs) found in Firmicute phage. While annotated as holins, it appears as though many members of the φU53 holin family are not yet functionally characterized. A representative list of homologues can be found in the Transporter Classification Database.
