Novel prophage-like sequences in Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Bioinformatics
• Genomics

Background:

• Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis is a significant bacterial pathogen affecting waterfowl.
• Increasing antibiotic resistance necessitates exploring alternative control methods against Mycoplasma infections in poultry flocks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize prophage-like sequences within Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis whole genomes.
• To investigate the potential of novel bacteriophages as alternative strategies against Mycoplasma pathogens.

Main Methods:

• In silico screening of 82 M. anserisalpingitidis whole genomes using PHASTER, PhiSpy, and Prophage Hunter.
• Further investigation of prophage sequences using VIBRANT software.
• Analysis of putative prophage sequences via BLASTP and BLASTN for protein function and sequence similarity.

Main Results:

• Established bioinformatics tools yielded inconclusive results for prophage identification.
• VIBRANT software identified multiple putative prophages, many exceeding 10,000 base pairs.
• Protein BLAST analysis indicated functions common to bacteriophages, and BLASTN revealed similarities to M. anatis rather than other M. anserisalpingitidis strains.
• Identified presumably intact, novel prophages not part of the core genome in most strains.

Conclusions:

• The study suggests the presence of novel bacteriophages in M. anserisalpingitidis and M. anatis.
• These novel prophages represent potential candidates for developing alternative strategies against Mycoplasma infections in waterfowl.
• VIBRANT analysis proved effective in exploring intact, novel prophages.