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Comparative genomics of 9 novel Paenibacillus larvae bacteriophages

Casey Stamereilers1, Lucy LeBlanc2, Diane Yost1

  • 1School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas , Las Vegas, NV, USA.

Bacteriophage
|October 15, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Researchers characterized nine new phages targeting American Foulbrood Disease bacteria (Paenibacillus larvae). This genomic study reveals unique phage genes and conserved proteins, aiding in understanding honeybee disease control strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Bacteriology
  • Virology
  • Apiculture

Background:

  • American Foulbrood Disease (AFB) caused by Paenibacillus larvae is a major threat to honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies.
  • Phage therapy is a promising approach to control bacterial diseases in bees.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the genomes of nine novel P. larvae phages.
  • To compare these phages with existing P. larvae phages and identify conserved and unique genes.
  • To identify putative functions of phage proteins involved in host infection and replication.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing of nine P. larvae phages.
  • Comparative genomics using nucleotide sequence identity.
  • Bioinformatic analysis for gene prediction and functional annotation.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to classify phages.

Main Results:

  • Genome sizes range from 38-45 kb with 68-86 genes, many unique to P. larvae phages.
  • Phages classified into two clusters and one singleton based on sequence identity.
  • Identified functions for approximately half of the proteins, including structural, assembly, lysis, and replication.
  • All phages encode a conserved N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase and utilize a specific DNA packaging strategy.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first in-depth genomic analysis of P. larvae phages.
  • The identified conserved and variable genes offer insights into phage evolution and host interaction.
  • These findings lay the groundwork for developing phage-based strategies against American Foulbrood Disease.
Keywords:
American FoulbroodDNA packaging strategyN-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidasePaenibacillus larvaePhameratorbacteriophagecomparative genomicscomparative proteomicsendolysinlarge terminasesiphoviridae

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