Genome Sequences of Mycobacteriophages Findley, Hurricane, and TBond007

Sanghamitra Saha1, Wenbo Yan2, Jacqueline M Washington2

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Houston-Downtown, Houston, Texas, USA.

Genome Announcements
|November 11, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Researchers sequenced three new phages infecting Mycobacterium smegmatis. These phages, Findley, Hurricane, and TBond007, are related to cluster K mycobacteriophages, expanding our understanding of phage diversity.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Mycobacterium smegmatis is a model organism for studying mycobacteria.
  • Mycobacteriophages are viruses that infect mycobacteria and are valuable tools in research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To sequence and characterize three newly isolated phages infecting Mycobacterium smegmatis mc²155.
  • To determine the phylogenetic relationship of these novel phages to known mycobacteriophages.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and purification of bacteriophages from environmental samples.
  • Genome sequencing of the isolated phages.
  • Bioinformatic analysis for phage classification and comparison.

Main Results:

  • Genome sequences of three distinct mycobacteriophages (Findley, Hurricane, and TBond007) were obtained.
  • Phages were isolated from geographically diverse locations.
  • Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Findley is related to subcluster K2, while Hurricane and TBond007 are related to subcluster K3.

Conclusions:

  • The discovery and sequencing of these phages contribute to the growing database of mycobacteriophage genomes.
  • These findings expand the known diversity within cluster K mycobacteriophages.
  • The characterized phages can serve as potential candidates for further research, including therapeutic applications.

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