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Biophysical characterization of Vibrio El Tor typing phage e5
R Basu1, A N Ghosh, S Dasgupta
1Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Calcutta.
FEMS Microbiology Letters
|January 1, 1993
Summary
This study characterizes Vibrio cholerae typing phage e5, detailing its structure, DNA, and growth cycle. This phage specifically targets El Tor strains of V. cholerae, offering insights into phage-host interactions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Vibrio cholerae causes cholera, a significant global health concern.
- Phage typing is crucial for differentiating V. cholerae strains, particularly the El Tor biotype.
- Characterization of typing phages aids in understanding phage-host interactions and developing diagnostic tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive characterization of Vibrio cholerae typing phage e5.
- To elucidate the physical and genetic properties of phage e5.
- To analyze the adsorption and intracellular growth kinetics of phage e5.
Main Methods:
- Morphological analysis using electron microscopy.
- Structural polypeptide analysis via SDS-PAGE.
- Genome characterization including DNA size, G+C content, and restriction mapping.
- Adsorption kinetics and one-step growth curve experiments.
Main Results:
- Phage e5 exhibits a polyhedral head (51 nm) and a short tail (13 nm).
- The phage genome is a 38.5-kb linear double-stranded DNA molecule with a 35.5% G+C content.
- Intracellular growth shows a 15-min latent period and a burst size of 100 particles per cell.
- Phage e5 demonstrated moderate thermotolerance.
Conclusions:
- Phage e5 is a distinct typing phage for El Tor V. cholerae strains.
- Detailed characterization provides a foundation for further research into V. cholerae phage typing.
- Understanding phage e5's properties can inform epidemiological surveillance and phage therapy strategies.