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Genome Characterization of Enterococcus faecalis Bacteriophage EFKL.
Loh Michelle JiaMin1, Prasanna Mutusamy1, Priyadarshini Karthikeyan2
1Centre of Excellence for Omics-Driven Computational Biodiscovery, AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia.
Microbiology Resource Announcements
|May 3, 2023
Summary
Researchers sequenced the Enterococcus faecalis phage EFKL genome, finding a 58,343-bp double-stranded DNA genome with 97 protein-encoding genes. This phage, isolated from Malaysian sewage, belongs to the Saphexavirus genus.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- Enterococcus faecalis is an opportunistic pathogen.
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and can be used for phage therapy.
- Characterizing novel phages is crucial for understanding phage diversity and potential applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a complete genomic characterization of the lytic Enterococcus faecalis phage EFKL.
- To classify the phage within its appropriate genus.
- To compare its genomic features with related phages.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and purification of Enterococcus faecalis phage EFKL from a sewage treatment plant.
- Whole-genome sequencing and assembly.
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify protein-encoding genes and determine nucleotide similarity.
Main Results:
- The complete genome of phage EFKL was sequenced, revealing a double-stranded DNA genome of 58,343 base pairs.
- A total of 97 protein-encoding genes were identified within the genome.
- Phage EFKL was classified in the genus *Saphexavirus* and showed 80.60% nucleotide similarity to *Enterococcus* phages EF653P5 and EF653P3.
Conclusions:
- The genomic characterization of Enterococcus faecalis phage EFKL provides valuable data on the *Saphexavirus* genus.
- The findings contribute to the understanding of phage-bacterial interactions in environmental settings.
- This study lays the groundwork for potential future applications of phage EFKL, such as in phage therapy.
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