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Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
Published on: June 11, 2015
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Comparative genomics of Cluster O mycobacteriophages
Steven G Cresawn1, Welkin H Pope2, Deborah Jacobs-Sera2
1Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States of America.
Plos One
|March 6, 2015
Summary
Five new mycobacteriophages, Cluster O, exhibit unusual prolate capsids and long flexible tails. Their genomes contain unique repeat sequences and promoters, offering insights into phage evolution and horizontal gene transfer.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mycobacteriophages are viruses that infect mycobacteria.
- Morphologically, they are classified within the Caudovirales, possessing double-stranded DNA and tails.
- Despite genetic diversity, a consistent morphology is observed among most mycobacteriophages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a novel group of five closely related mycobacteriophages, designated Cluster O.
- To investigate the unique morphological and genomic features of these phages.
- To gain insights into phage genome evolution and horizontal genetic exchange.
Main Methods:
- Proteomic analysis of phage particles and infected cells.
- Bioinformatic analysis of phage genomes.
- Comparative genomics of Cluster O phages.
Main Results:
- Cluster O phages possess unusual prolate capsids and long flexible tails.
- Proteomic analysis revealed expression of approximately half of predicted gene products and identified a non-canonical translation mechanism for the tape measure protein.
- Genomic analysis identified numerous SigA promoters and over 30 copies of a specific 17 bp repeat sequence with dyad symmetry in each genome.
Conclusions:
- Cluster O represents a distinct group of mycobacteriophages with unique structural and genomic characteristics.
- The findings shed light on the evolutionary processes, including gene flux via horizontal genetic exchange, shaping phage genomes.
- Further research into these phages can advance our understanding of viral diversity and evolution.
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