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Updated: Sep 13, 2025
Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
Published on: June 11, 2015
Biological characterization and genomic profiling of a novel Providencia phage isolated from farm effluents
Mantong Zhu1,2, Chang Liu2, Guangfeng Liu2
1Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China.
Abstract:
A Providencia strain was isolated from farm effluents and used as a host to isolate a bacteriophage named A06. A double-layer agar plaque assay was used to determine the optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI), construct a one-step growth curve, evaluate the temperature and pH stability of the phage, and assess its in vitro antibacterial activity and lysis efficiency. Whole-genome sequencing, functional annotation, and comparative genomics analysis were used to analyze its biological features and determine its taxonomic position. Bacteriophage A06 has a circular DNA genome with 58 open reading frames (ORFs). The optimal MOI was determined to be 100, and a one-step growth curve showed the latent period to be 40 minutes and the lysis period to range from 40 to 90 minutes. Bacteriophage A06 exhibited a high degree of thermal stability and pH tolerance, and genomic analysis indicated that it represents a new species within the genus Kakivirus of the family Autoscriptoviridae.
Insights
A novel bacteriophage, A06, was isolated from farm effluents and characterized. This phage shows high thermal and pH stability, representing a new species in the Kakivirus genus.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and hold potential for therapeutic applications.
- Isolation and characterization of novel bacteriophages are crucial for expanding our understanding of phage diversity and function.
- Providencia strains, found in farm effluents, can serve as hosts for bacteriophage discovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a novel bacteriophage, A06, from farm effluents.
- To determine the biological features, optimal growth conditions, and stability of bacteriophage A06.
- To analyze the genome of bacteriophage A06 and determine its taxonomic classification.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of bacteriophage A06 using a Providencia host from farm effluents.
- Characterization using double-layer agar plaque assay for optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI), one-step growth curve analysis, and stability tests (temperature, pH).
- Whole-genome sequencing, functional annotation, and comparative genomics for biological feature analysis and taxonomic placement.
Main Results:
- Bacteriophage A06 possesses a circular DNA genome with 58 open reading frames (ORFs).
- Optimal MOI was determined to be 100, with a latent period of 40 minutes and a lysis period of 40-90 minutes.
- Phage A06 demonstrated significant thermal stability and pH tolerance, and genomic analysis identified it as a new species within the Kakivirus genus, family Autoscriptoviridae.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriophage A06 is a robust phage with potential applications due to its stability and lytic activity.
- Genomic analysis confirms A06 as a distinct species within the Kakivirus genus, expanding the known diversity of this group.
- The characterization of A06 contributes to the growing repository of bacteriophages for potential use in various fields, including biotechnology and therapy.
