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An Optimized Enrichment Technique for the Isolation of Arthrobacter Bacteriophage Species from Soil Sample Isolates
Published on: April 9, 2015
Bacteriophages that infect the cellulolytic ruminal bacterium Ruminococcus albus AR67
A V Klieve1, P A Bain, M T Yokoyama
1Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Agency for Food and Fibre Sciences, Moorooka, Queensland, Australia. athol.klieve@dpi.qld.gov.au
Letters in Applied Microbiology
|June 25, 2004
Summary
Researchers isolated novel phages infecting Ruminococcus albus, key rumen bacteria. These findings reveal viral impacts on cellulolytic populations, fiber degradation, and animal nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Rumen Ecology
Background:
- Ruminococcus albus is a crucial cellulolytic bacterium in the rumen.
- Bacterial viruses (phages) play significant roles in microbial ecosystems.
- Understanding phage-rumen bacterium interactions is vital for ruminant digestion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize bacteriophages that infect Ruminococcus albus.
- To investigate the diversity of phages targeting rumen cellulolytic bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of phages under anaerobic conditions using soft-agar overlay.
- Characterization of phage morphology, stability, and genetic material (DNA).
- Identification of phage families based on structural and genetic properties.
Main Results:
- Four phages infecting R. albus AR67 were successfully isolated.
- Two phages (phiRa02, phiRa04) exhibited icosahedral virions with double-stranded DNA (Podoviridae family).
- Two phages were identified as filamentous with single-stranded DNA (Inoviridae family).
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first isolation of Inoviridae phages from rumen bacteria.
- These are the initial phages demonstrated to infect rumen cellulolytic bacteria.
- Rumen cellulolytic populations are susceptible to phage lysis, potentially affecting fiber degradation and animal nutrition.
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