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Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
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Characterization of phiCFP-1, a virulent bacteriophage specific for Citrobacter freundii

Xiangna Zhao1, Simo Huang1, Jiangtao Zhao2

  • 1Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Journal of Medical Virology
|October 13, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophage phiCFP-1 effectively lyses multidrug-resistant Citrobacter freundii. This Podoviridae phage has a linear genome and genetic similarities to other related phages, offering potential for therapeutic applications.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Citrobacter freundii is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for opportunistic infections.
  • Multidrug-resistant strains pose a significant clinical challenge.
  • Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and are being explored as therapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize bacteriophage phiCFP-1 for its lytic activity against a multidrug-resistant C. freundii strain.
  • To determine the genomic and proteomic features of bacteriophage phiCFP-1.
  • To assess the phylogenetic relationship of phiCFP-1 with other known bacteriophages.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of bacteriophage phiCFP-1.
  • Transmission electron microscopy for morphological analysis.
  • Single-step growth experiment to determine growth parameters.
  • Genome sequencing and analysis.
  • Proteomics for protein identification.
  • Comparative genomics for phylogenetic analysis.

Main Results:

  • Bacteriophage phiCFP-1, a member of the Podoviridae family, was isolated and demonstrated lytic activity against C. freundii P10159.
  • The phage possesses a 38,625-bp linear double-stranded DNA genome with 229-bp direct terminal repeats, containing 43 putative open reading frames.
  • Proteomic analysis identified seven viral and two host proteins in purified phage particles.
  • Comparative genomics revealed close genetic relatedness between phiCFP-1 and phages infecting Yersinia enterocolitica and Salmonella enterica.

Conclusions:

  • Bacteriophage phiCFP-1 is a T7-related phage with a linear genome, effective against multidrug-resistant Citrobacter freundii.
  • The characterization provides insights into the phage's biology and potential for phage therapy.
  • Its genetic relatedness to other phages aids in understanding phage evolution and host specificity.
Keywords:
CitrobacterPodoviridaeemerging nosocomial pathogenlytic phage

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