Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Isolation and Genome Analysis of Single Virions using 'Single Virus Genomics'
Published on: May 26, 2013
Mosaic structure of Mycobacterium bovis BCG genomes as a representation of phage sequences' mobility
Olga L Voronina1, Marina S Kunda2, Ekaterina I Aksenova2
1N.F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health, Moscow, Russia. olv550@gmail.com.
Background:
The control of genome stability is relevant for the worldwide BCG vaccine preventing the acute forms of childhood tuberculosis. BCG sub-strains whole genome comparative analysis and revealing the triggers of sub-strains transition were the purpose of our investigation.
Results:
Whole genome sequencing of three BCG Russia seed lots (1963, 1982, 2006 years) confirmed the stability of vaccine sub-strain genome. Comparative analysis of three Mycobacteruim bovis and nine M. bovis BCG genomes shown that differences between "early" and "late" sub-strains BCG genomes were associated with specific prophage profiles. Several prophages common to all BCG genomes included ORFs which were homologues to Caudovirales. Surprisingly very different prophage profiles characterized BCG Tice and BCG Montreal genomes. These prophages contained ORFs which were homologues to Herpesviruses. Phylogeny of strains cohort based on genome maps restriction analysis and whole genomes sequence data were in agreement with prophage profiles. Pair-wise alignment of unique BCG Tice and BCG Montreal prophage sequences and BCG Russia 368 genome demonstrated only similarity of fragmetary sequences that suggested the contribution of prophages in genome mosaic structure formation.
Conclusions:
Control of the extended sequences is important for genome with mosaic structure. Prophage search tools are effective instruments in this analysis.
Related Concept Videos
DNA Bacteriophages
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages
Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle
Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages
Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria

