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Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
10:39

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: March 10, 2017

CHARACTERISTICS OF A STAPHYLOCOCCAL PHAGE CAPABLE OF TRANSDUCTION

M L Morse1, J W Labelle

  • 1Webb Institute for Medical Research, and the Department of Biophysics, University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver, Colorado.

Journal of Bacteriology
|April 1, 1962
PubMed

Insights

This study characterizes staphylococcal phage 53, a temperate phage. It found that transducing phage particles, conferring streptomycin and novobiocin resistance, are produced concurrently with nontransducing particles.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a significant human pathogen.
  • Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, can play roles in bacterial genetics and evolution.
  • Temperate phages can integrate into the host genome or replicate independently.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the growth characteristics of staphylococcal phage 53.
  • To determine the transduction capabilities of phage 53 for antibiotic resistance genes.
  • To observe the interaction between phage 53 and its host, Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 8511.

Main Methods:

  • One-step growth studies were performed to assess phage replication.
  • Single-burst experiments were conducted to determine burst size.
  • Latent periods were measured in infected sensitive and ultraviolet-induced lysogenic cells.

Main Results:

  • The latent period for infected sensitive cells was 45 minutes.
  • The latent period for ultraviolet-induced lysogenic cells was 83 minutes.
  • The burst size ranged from 25 to 30 phage particles per lysing cell.
  • Transducing phage particles, conferring streptomycin and novobiocin resistance, were produced simultaneously with nontransducing particles.

Conclusions:

  • Staphylococcal phage 53 exhibits defined growth kinetics.
  • Phage 53 is capable of transducing antibiotic resistance markers.
  • The production of transducing and nontransducing particles occurs concurrently, suggesting potential applications in genetic studies of Staphylococcus aureus.

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