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Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
09:40

Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins

Published on: June 11, 2015

[Biologic characteristics of eight Podoviridae Stx2-converting phage]

Luming Xia1, Liangke Su, Jianhe Sun

  • 1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 201101, China. xialuming@tom.com

Wei Sheng Wu Xue Bao = Acta Microbiologica Sinica
|October 30, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study characterized eight Stx2-converting phages from Escherichia coli O157. Restriction fragment length polymorphism successfully differentiated these phages, despite similar morphology and protein profiles.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Bacteriology

Context:

  • Escherichia coli O157 is a significant foodborne pathogen.
  • Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) is a key virulence factor produced by certain E. coli strains.
  • Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, can carry virulence genes like stx2.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the biological characteristics of Stx2-converting phages isolated from E. coli O157.
  • To analyze phage morphology, genome size, and protein profiles.
  • To determine if Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) can differentiate these phages.

Summary:

  • Eight Stx2-converting phages were isolated from E. coli O157 and confirmed using PCR and a specific gene probe.
  • Electron microscopy revealed a consistent morphology (hexagonal head, short tail) consistent with the Podoviridae family.
  • Phage genomes (48-65.3kb double-stranded DNA) and protein profiles (SDS-PAGE) were analyzed.
  • Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) demonstrated distinct patterns among the phages, allowing for differentiation.

Impact:

  • Provides detailed characterization of Stx2-converting phages relevant to E. coli O157.
  • Highlights the utility of RFLP as a discriminatory tool for Stx2-converting phages.
  • Contributes to understanding phage diversity and its role in bacterial pathogenicity.

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