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Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
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Host physiological status determines phage-like particle distribution in the lysate

Kaja Gnezda-Meijer1, Ivan Mahne, Mateja Poljsak-Prijatelj

  • 1Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Food Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

FEMS Microbiology Ecology
|January 20, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophage (phage) morphotype diversity and latent period are linked to host growth. Environmental factors like salinity and temperature influence phage particle abundance and size distribution in Vibrio sp. cultures.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria and play crucial roles in microbial ecosystems.
  • Lysogenic phages integrate into the host genome and can be induced to enter the lytic cycle.
  • Understanding phage-host interactions is vital for microbial ecology and biotechnology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between host growth conditions and bacteriophage morphotype diversity and latent period.
  • To determine how environmental factors (salinity, substrate, temperature) affect phage particle production and characteristics.
  • To explore the influence of host physiology on phage induction and its ecological implications.

Main Methods:

  • Induction of prophages in lysogenic Vibrio sp. (DSM14379) using mitomycin C in batch cultures.
  • Culturing under varying salinity, substrate concentration/composition, and temperatures.
  • Analysis of phage-like particle morphotypes, size distribution, and latent period duration.

Main Results:

  • Phage induction occurred under all tested conditions, with varying complete and incomplete phage-like particles.
  • Favorable growth conditions led to an overabundance of phage tail-like particles, reduced at high salinity and temperature.
  • Phage-like particle size distribution varied significantly with temperature, salinity, and organic carbon gradients.
  • Latent period was approximately 90 min above a host growth rate of 1.0 h(-1), generally increasing at lower rates, but shorter at high temperatures and low nutrient conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Host physiological conditions and environmental factors significantly influence bacteriophage morphotype diversity and latent period.
  • Phage particle abundance and size are sensitive to gradients in temperature, salinity, and organic carbon.
  • Host physiology impacts organic matter composition upon prophage induction, affecting energy and carbon flow in ecosystems.

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