Functional interactions of Gp22 and Gp23 with Gp21 DNA helicase define the replication module of dairy-relevant Ceduovirus phage 94p4

Lactococcus lactis and Lactococcus cremoris strains play a vital role in dairy fermentations, yet their industrial use is threatened by bacteriophage infections that can lead to production failures. Replicative helicases are motor phage proteins driving viral genome replication, and their activity is often supported by accessory proteins involved in helicase recruitment, loading onto DNA, and regulation. However, in most phages of Gram-positive bacteria, such factors remain largely uncharacteriz