Genomic Analysis of 96 Paenibacillus larvae Bacteriophages Including 26 from Aotearoa, New Zealand
Danielle N Kok1,2, Sophia P Gosselin3, Brenham Howard4
1School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand.
Abstract:
The bacterium Paenibacillus larvae is responsible for the devastating honey bee (Apis mellifera) disease American Foulbrood. Research into bacteriophages that infect P. larvae is growing rapidly due to increasing antibiotic resistance and restrictions on antibiotic use in beehives in some countries. In this study, we present the sequenced and annotated genomes of 26 novel P. larvae phages recently isolated in New Zealand, which brings the total number of sequenced and annotated P. larvae phages to 96. The 26 novel phages belong to the pre-existing Vegas or Harrison clusters. We performed a comprehensive genomic analysis of all 96 phage genomes, grouping them into five divergent clusters and two singletons. The majority of these phages are temperate, with the possible exception of three phages that may be lytic. All 96 of these phages encode an N-acteylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase that serves as their lysin. The amidases are from two divergent clusters, both of which show a high degree of intra-cluster similarity. Six phages and a prophage contain the Plx1 P. larvae toxin gene, which we suggest may be mobilizable. This study expands our knowledge of P. larvae phages from around the world.
Insights
This study details 26 new honey bee pathogen (Paenibacillus larvae) virus genomes from New Zealand. These viruses, crucial for combating American Foulbrood disease, expand the known P. larvae phage diversity.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Apiculture
Background:
- Paenibacillus larvae causes American Foulbrood, a destructive honey bee disease.
- Antibiotic resistance and usage restrictions drive interest in alternative treatments like bacteriophages.
- Bacteriophages offer a promising biological control strategy for P. larvae.
Purpose of the Study:
- To sequence and annotate 26 novel Paenibacillus larvae phages from New Zealand.
- To conduct a comprehensive genomic analysis of 96 P. larvae phages.
- To characterize phage lysins and identify potential toxin genes.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and sequencing of 26 novel P. larvae phages.
- Bioinformatic analysis of 96 P. larvae phage genomes.
- Phylogenetic analysis to group phages into clusters.
- Identification and characterization of phage lysins and toxin genes.
Main Results:
- 26 novel P. larvae phage genomes were sequenced and annotated.
- Genomic analysis grouped the 96 phages into five clusters and two singletons.
- All 96 phages encode N-acteylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase lysins from two divergent clusters.
- Six phages and one prophage contain the mobilizable Plx1 P. larvae toxin gene.
Conclusions:
- This study significantly expands the global genomic database of Paenibacillus larvae phages.
- The characterized phages, particularly their lysins and toxin genes, offer potential for American Foulbrood disease management.
- Further research into the lytic potential and mobilizability of these phages is warranted.
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