Overexpression of Ipe protein from the coliphage mEp021 induces pleiotropic effects involving haemolysis by HlyE-containing vesicles and cell death

► Temperate bacteriophage mEp021 induces a haemolytic phenotype. ► Ipe protein from mEp021 is responsible for HlyE-dependent haemolysis. ► The haemolysis is the result of basal HlyE transportation by bacterial vesicles. ► Ipe overproduction alters membrane, murein and cell division associated transcripts. ► Ipe induces bacterial death.