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Pasteurella pestis bacteriophage H and Escherichia coli bacteriophage phi II are nearly identical
Journal of Virology
|February 1, 1973
Abstract:
Electron microscopy examination of phiII-H deoxyribonucleic acid heteroduplexes, together with polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analyses of phage ribonucleic acid species and proteins labeled in phiII or H-infected cells, demonstrates that Pasteurella pestis phage H is nearly identical to coliphage phiII.
Insights
Pasteurella pestis phage H and coliphage phiII are nearly identical, based on electron microscopy and gel electrophoresis. These analyses compared deoxyribonucleic acid heteroduplexes, ribonucleic acid species, and labeled proteins.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria.
- Coliphage phiII and Pasteurella pestis phage H are distinct bacteriophages.
- Understanding phage relationships is crucial for phage therapy and molecular biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the genetic and structural relatedness between Pasteurella pestis phage H and coliphage phiII.
- To compare the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and protein components of the two phages.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy was used to examine DNA heteroduplexes formed between phiII and H DNA.
- Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was employed to analyze phage RNA species.
- Proteins from cells infected with either phiII or H were labeled and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Electron microscopy revealed extensive homology between phiII and H DNA heteroduplexes.
- Electrophoretic analysis showed similar RNA profiles for both phages.
- Comparison of labeled proteins indicated a high degree of similarity between phiII and H.
Conclusions:
- Pasteurella pestis phage H and coliphage phiII are nearly identical.
- The findings suggest a close evolutionary relationship or shared origin.
- This identity has implications for phage classification and potential applications.