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Updated: Aug 15, 2025

Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins

Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins

Published on: June 11, 2015

Bacillus subtilis phage phi18: genomic analysis and receptor identification.

Zhiqiang Zhang¹, Li Liang², Donghang Li¹

¹Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China.

Archives of Virology

|January 2, 2023

Summary

We identified a new Bacillus subtilis phage, phi18, and its host receptor, wall teichoic acid (WTA). Phage-resistant mutants show promise as industrial fermentation starters.

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Isolation and Genome Analysis of Single Virions using 'Single Virus Genomics'

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Published on: May 26, 2013

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Virology
Industrial Biotechnology

Background:

Bacillus subtilis is crucial for industrial fermentation.
Bacteriophages pose a significant threat to fermentation processes by infecting bacterial cells.

Purpose of the Study:

To isolate and characterize a novel bacteriophage infecting Bacillus subtilis.
To identify the bacterial receptor for the isolated phage.
To evaluate the potential of phage-resistant mutants in industrial applications.

Main Methods:

Isolation and characterization of Bacillus subtilis phage phi18.
Transmission electron microscopy for morphology analysis.
Genomic sequencing and analysis of the phage.
Selection of phage-resistant mutants using a mariner transposon-insertion library.
Comparative genomic analysis.
Assessment of phage-resistant mutant characteristics (biofilm, growth, sporulation).

Main Results:

Phage phi18 exhibits myovirus morphology and possesses a 147,298 bp double-stranded DNA genome with 226 predicted protein-coding genes.
Disruption of tagE and pgcA genes, involved in wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycosylation, conferred phage resistance, identifying WTA as the receptor.
Phage phi18 is classified as a new member of the Okubovirus genus within the Herelleviridae family.
Phage-resistant mutants demonstrated growth rates comparable to the parental strain at 42 °C.

Conclusions:

Wall teichoic acid is the receptor for Bacillus subtilis phage phi18.
Phage phi18 represents a novel Okubovirus species.
Phage-resistant Bacillus subtilis mutants are suitable for use as starters in industrial fermentation processes due to their robust growth characteristics.