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Complete genome of Staphylococcus aureus phage SA11
1Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yong-In, Gyung-Gi Do, South Korea.
Journal of Virology
|August 28, 2012
Summary
Researchers isolated a novel lytic bacteriophage, SA11, that infects Staphylococcus aureus. Whole genome sequencing revealed its double-stranded DNA genome and distant relation to other Staphylococcus phages.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a significant human pathogen.
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and are potential therapeutic agents.
- Characterization of novel bacteriophages is crucial for understanding phage-host interactions and developing phage therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a novel bacteriophage infecting Staphylococcus aureus.
- To determine the genomic features of the isolated bacteriophage.
- To assess the phylogenetic relationship of the novel bacteriophage with known Staphylococcus phages.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and purification of bacteriophage SA11 from bacterial cultures.
- Electron microscopy for morphological characterization.
- Whole genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.
Main Results:
- A novel lytic bacteriophage, designated SA11, was successfully isolated.
- Electron microscopy confirmed SA11 belongs to the Siphoviridae family.
- The complete genome of SA11 consists of a linear double-stranded DNA molecule of 136,326 base pairs.
- Genomic analysis indicated a distant evolutionary relationship between SA11 and other sequenced Staphylococcus phages.
Conclusions:
- SA11 represents a new addition to the known Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophages.
- The genomic data provides a foundation for further studies on SA11's biological properties and potential applications.
- This discovery contributes to the growing repository of bacteriophages for potential use against Staphylococcus aureus infections.
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