Phage_holin_8_1 is a family of two transmembrane mycobacteriophage holins, small hydrophobic proteins that effect lysis of host mycobacterial cells in conjunction with a mycobacteria-specific lysin, lysB. The product of lysB gene targets the mycobacteria outer membrane, the last barrier to bacteriophage release [1,2].

1: Isolation and expression of the lysis genes of Actinomyces naeslundii phage Av-1. Delisle AL, Barcak GJ, Guo M; Appl Environ Microbiol. 2006;72:1110-1117. PMID:16461656

2: Diversity in bacterial lysis systems: bacteriophages show the way. Catalao MJ, Gil F, Moniz-Pereira J, Sao-Jose C, Pimentel M; FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2012; [Epub ahead of print] PMID:23043507