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Understanding the Impact of Temperate Bacteriophages on Their Lysogens Through Transcriptomics
Published on: January 5, 2024
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NEW TEMPERATE ENTEROCOCCUS PHAGE VB_GEC_EFS_2 WITH POTENTIAL OF LYSOGENIC CONVERSION
S Rigvava1, I Kusradze1, N Karumidze1
1G.Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology, Tbilisi; Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
Georgian Medical News
|February 21, 2018
Summary
Researchers characterized a new temperate phage, vB_GEC_EFS_2, from Enterococcus faecium. Its genome analysis revealed a holin gene with a "Haemolysin XhIA" domain, demonstrating a novel form of lysogenic conversion.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- Temperate phages can influence host cell phenotype through lysogenic conversion.
- Enterococcus faecium is a significant opportunistic pathogen.
- Bacteriophages offer diverse applications, including potential therapeutic uses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a newly isolated temperate Enterococcus faecium phage, vB_GEC_EFS_2.
- To analyze the phage's genome and identify key functional genes.
- To investigate the role of a specific holin gene and its haemolytic activity in lysogenic conversion.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of temperate Enterococcus faecium phage vB_GEC_EFS_2 from river Mtkvari.
- Whole genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of the phage.
- Isolation and purification of the holin gene and determination of haemolytic activity.
Main Results:
- The phage vB_GEC_EFS_2 belongs to the Siphoviridae family.
- Its genome is 38,508 bp long, containing 65 open reading frames (ORFs).
- A holin gene with a surface-associated haemolysin (XhIA) domain was identified, and its haemolytic activity was confirmed.
Conclusions:
- The study describes a novel temperate Enterococcus faecium phage, vB_GEC_EFS_2.
- The identified XhIA domain in the holin gene contributes to the protein's haemolytic nature.
- This finding elucidates a new mechanism of lysogenic conversion.
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