Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
Published on: June 11, 2015
Mycobacteriophage maravista: a cluster F1 phage discovered on Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Charles Pelagalli1, Debbie-Jacobs Sera2, Joseph A DeGiorgis3,4
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Abstract:
Mycobacterium virus Maravista, a member of the family Gracegardnervirianae and species Cheoctovirus, is an F1 cluster phage that infects Mycobacterium smegmatis mc²155. The Maravista genome has 61.3% GC content, is 60,140 bp in length, and encodes 104 putative genes. Maravista encodes two putative glycosyltransferases, suggesting glycosylation of its capsid protein.
Insights
Mycobacterium virus Maravista is a novel phage infecting Mycobacterium smegmatis. Its genome analysis reveals potential glycosylation of its capsid protein, offering insights into phage-host interactions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- Mycobacterium smegmatis is a key model organism for studying mycobacteria.
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and play roles in microbial evolution and biotechnology.
- Understanding phage diversity and function is crucial for various applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the novel F1 cluster phage, Mycobacterium virus Maravista.
- To analyze the genomic features of Maravista and identify potential functional genes.
- To investigate potential mechanisms of capsid protein modification.
Main Methods:
- Genomic DNA extraction and sequencing of Mycobacterium virus Maravista.
- Bioinformatic analysis of the Maravista genome, including gene prediction and functional annotation.
- Comparative genomic analysis with related phages.
Main Results:
- Maravista is an F1 cluster phage infecting Mycobacterium smegmatis mc²155.
- The Maravista genome is 60,140 bp with 61.3% GC content, encoding 104 putative genes.
- Two putative glycosyltransferases were identified, suggesting capsid protein glycosylation.
Conclusions:
- Mycobacterium virus Maravista represents a new addition to the F1 cluster phage family.
- The genomic data provides a foundation for further functional studies of Maravista.
- The predicted glycosylation mechanism may influence phage-host interactions and virion stability.
Related Concept Videos
Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages
Viral Recombination
Viral Mutations
Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes
Genomic Diversity in Bacteria
Although bacterial genomes are much...
Retroviruses

