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Genome Sequences of Mycobacterium smegmatis Phages Fefferhead and ShamWow
Valerie L Dao1, Lily Xia1, Christa T Bancroft1
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Abstract:
Fefferhead and ShamWow are temperate mycobacteriophages in the K6 and E clusters, respectively. The length of the Fefferhead genome is 61,366 bp, with 98 predicted genes. The ShamWow genome has a length of 75,933 bp, with 143 predicted genes, 3 of which are duplicates.
Insights
Two temperate mycobacteriophages, Fefferhead and ShamWow, were characterized. Their genome sizes and predicted gene counts were determined, providing foundational data for these K6 and E cluster phages.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Virology
Background:
- Mycobacteriophages are viruses that infect Mycobacterium bacteria.
- Temperate phages can integrate into the host genome or replicate independently.
- Understanding phage diversity is crucial for developing phage-based therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize two temperate mycobacteriophages: Fefferhead and ShamWow.
- To determine the genomic features of Fefferhead and ShamWow.
- To classify these phages within existing clusters.
Main Methods:
- Genome sequencing and analysis.
- Gene prediction and annotation.
- Phylogenetic analysis to determine cluster classification.
Main Results:
- Fefferhead, a K6 cluster phage, has a genome length of 61,366 bp with 98 predicted genes.
- ShamWow, an E cluster phage, has a genome length of 75,933 bp with 143 predicted genes, including 3 duplicates.
- Both phages were confirmed as temperate.
Conclusions:
- Fefferhead and ShamWow represent novel additions to the characterized temperate mycobacteriophage population.
- Genomic data provides a basis for further functional studies of these phages.
- Classification within K6 and E clusters aids in comparative genomics.
