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Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
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Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins

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Comparative genomic analysis of dwarf Vibrio myoviruses defines a conserved gene cluster for successful phage

Dimitrios Skliros1, Efthymios Karpouzis1, Chrysanthi Kalloniati1

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Archives of Virology
|January 9, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study analyzes dwarf Vibrio myoviruses, revealing conserved genomic organization crucial for bacterial infection. Findings aid in developing novel strategies against fish pathogens in aquaculture.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Virology
  • Genomics and Bioinformatics
  • Aquaculture and Fish Health

Background:

  • Tailed bacteriophages (viruses infecting bacteria) are vital for controlling pathogenic bacteria, possessing complex contractile tail structures.
  • Myoviridae, members of the order Caudovirales, include large bacteriophages with complex replication strategies and smaller phages with many uncharacterized genes.
  • The newly isolated Athena1 bacteriophage, a strongly lytic Vibrio myovirus, has a genome size of 39,826 bp.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a comparative genomic analysis of Vibrio myoviruses with genomes under 50 kbp.
  • To understand the genomic organization, evolutionary events, and potential applications of these bacteriophages.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and molecular characterization of the Athena1 bacteriophage.
  • Comparative genomic analysis of selected Vibrio myoviruses.
  • Phylogenetic analysis using gene markers to infer evolutionary relationships.

Main Results:

  • Identified a conserved genomic organization in dwarf Vibrio myoviruses, including genes for virion morphogenesis, DNA replication/recombination, and lysis/lysogeny switching.
  • Highlighted the importance of a conserved baseplate protein gene region for successful infection of Gram-negative bacteria.
  • Proposed the establishment of new genera for dwarf Vibrio myoviruses based on genomic characteristics.

Conclusions:

  • Comparative genomics reveals conserved patterns and evolutionary insights into dwarf Vibrio myoviruses.
  • The findings underscore the significance of specific genomic regions for phage infectivity.
  • This research provides a foundation for developing phage-based strategies to combat fish pathogens in aquaculture.

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