Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
12:20
Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses
Published on: December 29, 2015
Genome sequence of Cronobacter sakazakii myovirus vB_CsaM_GAP31
Reza Abbasifar1, Andrew M Kropinski, Parviz M Sabour
1Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Virology
|November 21, 2012
Abstract:
Cronobacter sakazakii is a pathogen that predominantly infects immunocompromised individuals, especially infants, where it causes meningitis. The genome of lytic C. sakazakii myovirus vB_CsaM_GAP31 has been fully sequenced. It consists of 147,940 bp and has a G+C content of 46.3%. A total of 295 genes, including 269 open reading frames and 26 tRNA genes, were identified. This phage is related to Salmonella phage PVP-SE1 and coliphages vB_EcoM-FV3 and rV5.
Insights
The genome of the Cronobacter sakazakii myovirus vB_CsaM_GAP31 was fully sequenced. This research provides insights into phage-host interactions and potential therapeutic applications against this pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Virology
Background:
- Cronobacter sakazakii is a significant pathogen, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like infants and causing severe infections such as meningitis.
- The increasing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria necessitates the exploration of alternative therapeutic strategies, including bacteriophage therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a complete genome sequencing of the lytic Cronobacter sakazakii myovirus vB_CsaM_GAP31.
- To analyze the genomic characteristics of the phage and identify its genetic components.
- To understand the phylogenetic relationship of vB_CsaM_GAP31 with other known phages.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing of the C. sakazakii myovirus vB_CsaM_GAP31.
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify genes, open reading frames (ORFs), and transfer RNA (tRNA) genes.
- Comparative genomics to determine relatedness to other bacteriophages.
Main Results:
- The complete genome of C. sakazakii myovirus vB_CsaM_GAP31 was successfully sequenced, comprising 147,940 base pairs (bp) with a G+C content of 46.3%.
- A total of 295 genes were identified, including 269 ORFs and 26 tRNA genes.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed that vB_CsaM_GAP31 is related to Salmonella phage PVP-SE1 and coliphages vB_EcoM-FV3 and rV5.
Conclusions:
- The genomic characterization of C. sakazakii myovirus vB_CsaM_GAP31 provides a foundational understanding of its genetic makeup.
- This research contributes to the growing knowledge base of Cronobacter sakazakii phages, essential for developing phage-based biocontrol strategies.
- The identified phage may hold potential for therapeutic applications against Cronobacter sakazakii infections.
Related Concept Videos
02:28Leaky Scanning
During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA. Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
01:26DNA Bacteriophages
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, utilizing their genetic material to hijack host cellular machinery for replication. DNA bacteriophages employ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes. These phages exhibit diverse replication strategies and host interactions, influencing their ecological roles and applications in biotechnology and medicine.ssDNA BacteriophagesssDNA phages, with their small genomes, utilize unique strategies to...
02:02Cis-regulatory Sequences
Cis-regulatory sequences are short fragments of non-coding DNA that are present on the same chromosomes as the genes that they regulate. These fragments serve as binding sites for transcriptional regulators, proteins that are responsible for controlling gene transcription and differential gene expression across cell types in eukaryotes. Cis-regulatory sequences can be close to the gene of interest or thousands of bases away in the DNA sequence; however, those sequences that are further away are...
02:02Cis-regulatory Sequences
Cis-regulatory sequences are short fragments of non-coding DNA that are present on the same chromosomes as the genes that they regulate. These fragments serve as binding sites for transcriptional regulators, proteins that are responsible for controlling gene transcription and differential gene expression across cell types in eukaryotes. Cis-regulatory sequences can be close to the gene of interest or thousands of bases away in the DNA sequence; however, those sequences that are further away are...
01:26Human Virome
The human body harbors a vast and diverse viral community known as the human virome. The virome includes bacteriophages that infect bacteria, and eukaryotic viruses that infect human cells. Transient dietary and environmental viruses also contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. Estimates suggest the human body may contain on the order of 10¹³ viral particles, though abundance varies widely by body site and detection method.Comprehensive characterization of the virome has become possible only with...
01:29Viruses of Archaea
Archaeal viruses play a crucial role in the ecosystems of extremophilic archaea, particularly those belonging to the phyla Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. By shaping host evolution and facilitating gene transfer, these viruses influence microbial communities and contribute to genetic diversity in extreme environments. The archaea they infect thrive in acidic hot springs and hydrothermal vents characterized by high temperatures and low pH. Archaeal viruses exhibit remarkable structural...