Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 23, 2025

Author Spotlight: Investigating Bacteriophage-Induced Immune Responses in Gnotobiotic Mice
08:46

Author Spotlight: Investigating Bacteriophage-Induced Immune Responses in Gnotobiotic Mice

Published on: January 26, 2024

2.4K

Bacteriophage MAV1 is not associated with virulence of Mycoplasma arthritidis

Brenda Clapper1, Anh-Hue T Tu, Warren L Simmons

  • 1Department of Genetics, KAUL, Room 720, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0024, USA.

Infection and Immunity
|November 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma arthritidis virulence was re-examined. Bacteriophage MAV1 lysogenization did not increase virulence in strains 158 or 158-1, suggesting other factors contribute to Mycoplasma arthritidis pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Previous research indicated Mycoplasma arthritidis strain 158 gained virulence through bacteriophage MAV1 lysogenization.
  • This study re-evaluates the link between MAV1 and Mycoplasma arthritidis virulence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of bacteriophage MAV1 in the virulence of Mycoplasma arthritidis strains.
  • To identify factors contributing to the observed virulence differences between strains.

Main Methods:

  • Creation of new Mycoplasma arthritidis lysogens.
  • Virulence assessment of lysogenized and non-lysogenized strains.
  • Identification of antigenic differences between strains.

Main Results:

  • Mycoplasma arthritidis strain 158 exhibited higher virulence than anticipated, even without lysogenization.
  • Lysogenization with MAV1 did not enhance the virulence of either strain 158 or the avirulent mutant 158-1.
  • A significant antigenic difference, independent of MAV1, was found between strains 158 and 158-1, potentially explaining their differing virulence.

Conclusions:

  • Bacteriophage MAV1 is not the primary driver of increased virulence in Mycoplasma arthritidis strain 158.
  • Antigenic variation plays a crucial role in the differential virulence observed between Mycoplasma arthritidis strains.

More Related Videos

Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes08:34

Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes

Published on: September 27, 2018

9.0K
Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus11:28

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus

Published on: October 7, 2011

11.4K

Related Concept Videos

The Antiviral System of Bacteria and Archaea: CRISPR01:23

The Antiviral System of Bacteria and Archaea: CRISPR

CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats is a adaptive immune system found in bacteria and archaea that protects against viral infections. This system enables prokaryotic cells to identify, remember, and neutralize foreign genetic elements, primarily bacteriophages, by storing fragments of the invader’s DNA as a genetic memory.The CRISPR immune response begins during an initial infection. Cas (CRISPR-associated) proteins play a central role in this...
526
Viruses of Archaea01:29

Viruses of Archaea

Archaeal viruses play a crucial role in the ecosystems of extremophilic archaea, particularly those belonging to the phyla Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. By shaping host evolution and facilitating gene transfer, these viruses influence microbial communities and contribute to genetic diversity in extreme environments. The archaea they infect thrive in acidic hot springs and hydrothermal vents characterized by high temperatures and low pH. Archaeal viruses exhibit remarkable structural...
380
DNA Bacteriophages01:26

DNA Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, utilizing their genetic material to hijack host cellular machinery for replication. DNA bacteriophages employ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes. These phages exhibit diverse replication strategies and host interactions, influencing their ecological roles and applications in biotechnology and medicine.ssDNA BacteriophagesssDNA phages, with their small genomes, utilize unique strategies to...
615
Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes01:24

Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes

The phylum Tenericutes, which includes the single class Mollicutes, comprises bacteria that lack cell walls. The term "Mollicutes" derives from the Latin word mollis, meaning "soft." These organisms are among the smallest known and are commonly referred to as mycoplasmas due to the prominence of the genus Mycoplasma, which includes well-known human pathogens. Despite their inability to stain gram-positively (a result of their lack of cell walls), mycoplasmas are phylogenetically related to the...
360
Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages01:30

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are specialized viruses that infect bacteria. A key characteristic of phages is their distinctive “head-tail” morphology. A phage begins the infection process (i.e., lytic cycle) by attaching to the outside of a bacterial cell. Attachment is accomplished via proteins in the phage tail that bind to specific receptor proteins on the outer surface of the bacterium. The tail injects the phage’s DNA genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. In the...
77.1K
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages00:43

Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages

In contrast to the lytic cycle, phages infecting bacteria via the lysogenic cycle do not immediately kill their host cell. Instead, they combine their genome with the host genome, allowing the bacteria to replicate the phage DNA along with the bacterial genome. The incorporated copy of the phage genome is called the prophage. Some prophages can re-activate and enter the lytic cycle. This often occurs in response to a perturbation, such as DNA damage, but can also transpire in the absence of...
67.1K