Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2025
Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
Published on: June 11, 2015
Characterization and genomic analysis phage PmP19, a novel Proteus mirabilis phage with a broad host range
Shengyi Han1,2, Shuping Li1,2, Guoyuan Hu1,2
1Qinghai Academy of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, PR China.
Abstract:
A lytic Proteus mirabilis phage, PmP19, was isolated from sewage on a farm. PmP19 has an icosahedral head (60 ± 3 nm in diameter) and a short tail (15 ± 2 nm long). Its genome, a linear, double-stranded DNA molecule 44,305 bp in length with an average GC content of 51.93%, has 52 putative open reading frames (ORFs). BLASTn comparisons and phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between Pmp19 and Klebsiella phage vB_KpnP_ZK1. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that PmP19 belongs to the phage subfamily Molineuxvirinae.
Insights
A novel lytic bacteriophage, Proteus mirabilis phage PmP19, was isolated from farm sewage. This phage exhibits specific morphological and genomic characteristics, offering potential for P. mirabilis control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and are potential alternatives to antibiotics.
- Proteus mirabilis is an opportunistic pathogen often associated with urinary tract infections and hospital-acquired infections.
- Isolation and characterization of novel phages are crucial for developing phage therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a novel lytic bacteriophage targeting Proteus mirabilis.
- To determine the morphology, genome, and phylogenetic relationship of the isolated phage.
- To classify the phage within existing viral taxonomy.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of bacteriophage from farm sewage.
- Transmission electron microscopy for morphological analysis.
- Genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis (BLASTn, phylogenetic analysis).
Main Results:
- Isolation of a lytic P. mirabilis phage, designated PmP19.
- PmP19 possesses an icosahedral head (60±3 nm) and a short tail (15±2 nm).
- The phage genome is a linear, double-stranded DNA molecule of 44,305 bp with 52 putative ORFs and 51.93% GC content.
- Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship with Klebsiella phage vB_KpnP_ZK1.
- PmP19 was classified into the Molineuxvirinae subfamily.
Conclusions:
- PmP19 is a novel lytic bacteriophage with distinct morphological and genomic features.
- Its genomic and phylogenetic characteristics place it within the Molineuxvirinae subfamily.
- PmP19 represents a potential candidate for developing phage-based biocontrol strategies against Proteus mirabilis infections.
