Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Understanding and Combatting Shigella Infections
04:56

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Understanding and Combatting Shigella Infections

Published on: February 9, 2024

1.9K

Characterization and complete genome sequence of a novel N4-like bacteriophage, pSb-1 infecting Shigella boydii

Jin Woo Jun1, Sae Kil Yun2, Hyoun Joong Kim2

  • 1Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Former American Base of Gournes, Heraklion 71003, Crete, Greece; Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.

Research in Microbiology
|October 7, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Researchers discovered a novel bacteriophage, pSb-1, effective against Shigella boydii. This virulent phage shows promise as a therapeutic agent against shigellosis, a common foodborne illness.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Shigellosis is a significant foodborne illness globally.
  • Rising antibiotic resistance in Shigella necessitates alternative treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize a novel bacteriophage targeting Shigella boydii.
  • To evaluate the potential of this phage as a therapeutic agent against shigellosis.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of bacteriophage pSb-1.
  • One-step growth analysis to determine phage replication parameters.
  • Genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis.

Main Results:

  • Phage pSb-1 exhibits a short latent period (15 min) and high burst size (152.63 PFU/cell).
  • The double-stranded DNA genome is 71,629 bp with 103 putative ORFs.
  • pSb-1 shares 94% nucleotide sequence identity with the N4-like phage EC1-UPM.

Conclusions:

  • pSb-1 is a novel, virulent N4-like bacteriophage that infects Shigella boydii.
  • Phage pSb-1 demonstrates significant potential for combating shigellosis.
Keywords:
BacteriophagePodoviridaeShigella boydiiShigellosispSb-1

More Related Videos

Environmental Sampling of Photosynthetic Microbes and Their Viruses: From Field to Lab08:01

Environmental Sampling of Photosynthetic Microbes and Their Viruses: From Field to Lab

Published on: July 3, 2025

953
Understanding the Impact of Temperate Bacteriophages on Their Lysogens Through Transcriptomics09:23

Understanding the Impact of Temperate Bacteriophages on Their Lysogens Through Transcriptomics

Published on: January 5, 2024

3.0K

Related Concept Videos

DNA Bacteriophages01:26

DNA 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...
1.5K
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle01:20

Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Among them, T-even bacteriophages, such as T4, exhibit a well-characterized lytic replication cycle in Escherichia coli (E. coli). This process ensures the rapid proliferation of the virus while ultimately leading to the destruction of the bacterial host.Attachment and DNA InjectionThe infection process begins with the recognition and binding of the T4 phage to the E. coli cell surface. Tail fibers of the phage...
2.9K
Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages01:30

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are specialized viruses that infect bacteria. A key characteristic of phages is their distinctive “head-tail” morphology. A phage begins the infection process (i.e., lytic cycle) by attaching to the outside of a bacterial cell. Attachment is accomplished via proteins in the phage tail that bind to specific receptor proteins on the outer surface of the bacterium. The tail injects the phage’s DNA genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. In the...
59.8K
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages00:43

Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages

In contrast to the lytic cycle, phages infecting bacteria via the lysogenic cycle do not immediately kill their host cell. Instead, they combine their genome with the host genome, allowing the bacteria to replicate the phage DNA along with the bacterial genome. The incorporated copy of the phage genome is called the prophage. Some prophages can re-activate and enter the lytic cycle. This often occurs in response to a perturbation, such as DNA damage, but can also transpire in the absence of...
49.4K
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid...
76
Bacterial Phylum Bacteroidota01:26

Bacterial Phylum Bacteroidota

The phylum Bacteroidota includes over 700 species classified into four primary orders: Bacteroidales, Cytophagales, Flavobacteriales, and Sphingobacteriales. These gram-negative, non-sporulating rods exhibit saccharolytic capabilities and can be aerobic or fermentative, encompassing obligate aerobes, facultative aerobes, and obligate anaerobes. Many species display gliding motility, though some are nonmotile or use flagella. The genus Bacteroides is well-studied due to its significant role in...
872