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Mycobacteriophage Tarkin: a Cluster E Phage

Katherine E Cleary1, Anna M Fakhri1, Ethan N Dionne1

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.

Microbiology Resource Announcements
|November 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Mycobacteriophage Tarkin, a novel phage infecting Mycobacterium smegmatis, has a 75,998-bp genome. This phage is classified into cluster E based on its gene content similarity to other mycobacteriophages.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Mycobacteriophages are viruses that infect mycobacteria.
  • Mycobacterium smegmatis is a commonly studied non-pathogenic species used in phage research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a newly isolated mycobacteriophage, named Tarkin.
  • To determine the genomic features and phylogenetic placement of Mycobacteriophage Tarkin.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of a novel mycobacteriophage.
  • Whole-genome sequencing of Mycobacteriophage Tarkin.
  • Bioinformatic analysis of the genome for gene content and phylogenetic grouping.

Main Results:

  • Mycobacteriophage Tarkin was isolated and infects Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155.
  • The genome sequence of Tarkin is 75,998 base pairs.
  • Tarkin is predicted to contain 142 protein-coding genes and 2 tRNA genes.
  • Phylogenetic analysis based on gene content places Tarkin within cluster E of mycobacteriophages.

Conclusions:

  • Mycobacteriophage Tarkin represents a new addition to the known diversity of mycobacteriophages.
  • The genomic characteristics of Tarkin are consistent with its classification in cluster E.
  • Further studies on Tarkin can contribute to understanding mycobacteriophage biology and evolution.

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