Lytic systems in lactic acid bacteria and their bacteriophages.

Lytic systems of lactic acid bacteria and their bacteriophages are reviewed with an emphasis on molecular characterization. Details of enzyme biochemistry and the cloning and analysis of lytic genes are presented, with coverage of lactococcal prolate headed bacteriophages, lactococcal isometric bacteriophages, Lactobacillus bacteriophages and lactococcal autolysins. Some comments on the importance of autolysis in cheese ripening are included and the biotechnological exploitation of cloned and characterized lytic genes is presented.