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Characterization of the novel temperate Escherichia coli phage phiStx2k

Xi Yang1, Xinxia Sui1, Qian Liu1

  • 1National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.

Archives of Virology
|December 11, 2023
PubMed

Insights

A novel Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing phage, phiStx2k, was identified from Escherichia coli. This phage can convert non-toxin producing strains, highlighting risks of horizontal gene transfer.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are significant foodborne pathogens.
  • Temperate phages play a crucial role in the emergence and dissemination of STEC strains.
  • Understanding phage biology is essential for controlling STEC infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a novel temperate phage, phiStx2k, isolated from a clinical STEC O157:H7 isolate.
  • To investigate the genomic and biological properties of phiStx2k.
  • To assess the potential of phiStx2k in converting non-Stx-producing E. coli.

Main Methods:

  • Induction and isolation of temperate phage phiStx2k from an E. coli clinical isolate.
  • Morphological characterization of phage particles using electron microscopy.
  • Genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of phiStx2k.
  • Phage transduction experiments to assess conversion potential.

Main Results:

  • A novel temperate phage, phiStx2k, was successfully induced and isolated.
  • phiStx2k possesses an icosahedral head (50 nm) and a long non-contractile tail (149 nm).
  • The phage genome is 46,647 bp double-stranded DNA with 51% G+C content, suggesting a new genus within Caudoviricetes.
  • phiStx2k demonstrated the ability to convert non-Stx-producing E. coli strains into Stx producers.

Conclusions:

  • phiStx2k represents a novel phage genus with significant implications for STEC epidemiology.
  • The conversion capability of phiStx2k underscores the role of horizontal gene transfer in pathogen evolution.
  • Further research on Stx phages is critical for developing strategies to mitigate the spread of STEC.

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