Fig. 3: Broad recognition spectrum of E. coli TIR systems.

a Pipeline for isolating mutant phages that overcome TIR defense systems. E. coli MG1655 cells containing a single TIR defense system were infected with phages. The plaque formed by high titer phages was harvested and subjected to a second round of selection. E. coli MG1655 cells containing empty vector were used as controls. b Identification of mutated genes in escaped phages. Gray blocks indicate that no escaped phage was isolated. Four- and five-pointed stars in each maroon block indicate the identity of the mutated gene as indicated on the right. c Schematic representation of genes sensitive to TIR systems, covering different stages of the phage replication. d–g Toxicity of TIR system sensitive genes in the presence of the corresponding TIR system. Protein expression was induced by the addition of arabinose. The empty vector lacking the TIR system was used as a negative control. The mutated genes were used to determine whether mutant proteins could confer phages resistant to the TIR system. Source data are provided as a Source data file.