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09:23
Understanding the Impact of Temperate Bacteriophages on Their Lysogens Through Transcriptomics
Published on: January 5, 2024
Comparative genomics and transduction potential of Enterococcus faecalis temperate bacteriophages.
Azra Yasmin1, John G Kenny, Jayendra Shankar
1School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Journal of Bacteriology
|December 17, 2009
Summary
Temperate bacteriophages play a role in horizontal gene transfer for Enterococcus faecalis. These phages can influence bacterial fitness and virulence, with some effectively transducing host DNA.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Enterococcus faecalis is an opportunistic pathogen.
- Temperate bacteriophages are crucial in horizontal gene transfer.
- Understanding phage roles in E. faecalis is vital for controlling infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the significance of temperate bacteriophages in horizontal gene transfer of fitness and virulence determinants in Enterococcus faecalis.
- To characterize the genomes and functions of E. faecalis phages.
Main Methods:
- Induction of phages from 47 E. faecalis bacteremia isolates using mitomycin C, norfloxacin, and UV radiation.
- Phage purification, discrimination via PFGE and restriction mapping, and whole-genome pyrosequencing of eight representative phages.
- Generation of E. faecalis lysogens and assessment of their fitness in Galleria mellonella.
Main Results:
- Four distinct groups of E. faecalis phages were identified based on genome sequencing.
- Phages shared sequence identity with Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris prophages and encoded homologs of Streptococcus mitis phage tail proteins.
- Lysogens showed varied effects on Galleria mellonella survival, and three phages demonstrated effective generalized transduction.
Conclusions:
- Temperate bacteriophages contribute to horizontal gene transfer in E. faecalis, potentially impacting virulence and fitness.
- The characterized phages offer insights into phage-host interactions and gene transfer mechanisms.
- Further research into E. faecalis phages is warranted for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
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