Characterization Of A New Bacterial Virus From Orangutan (Pongo Pygmaeus)
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Date
2015-03
Authors
AHMAD HISHAM, USWATUN BAHIRAH
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Abstract
Bacteriophages or phages are viruses that infect bacteria. Previously isolated
phage, UB1 that infects Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) was successfully
characterized. Phage UB1 produced clear plaques with a diameter of 0.3 mm.
Transmission electron micrograph revealed that phage UB1 was ~250 nm long with a
diameter of ~105 nm. The phage had an icosahedral head and a contractile tail where it
probably belongs to the Myoviridae family. Phage UB1 had a narrow host range where it
only infected three out of twelve bacteria tested. The viability of phage UB1 was highest
in neutral condition (pH 7), lower to medium temperature (10°C to 50°C) and in 0.5%
w/v to 3% w/v salinity. Replication cycle of phage UB1 took around 50 minutes with
short latent period of 5 minutes and burst size of 44 phage particles per infected cell.
Partial protein profile analysis revealed major protein band of about ~40 kDa to ~46 kDa
which could be the capsid protein. Comparison of the protein profile of phage UB1 with
phage T4 and T7 showed that they were distinct from each other. Restriction enzyme
digestion of phage UB1, phage T4, phage T7 and other Myoviridae phages infecting E.
coli O157:H7 generated a different profile. Genome sequence analysis of phage UB1
DNA revealed that it shared high sequence similarity with phage PBECO 4 that was
isolated from raw sewage in Korea which infects the same host. In addition, both phages
shared almost similar morphology and could probably be the same species. Nevertheless,
restriction enzyme digestion profile of both phages generated a slight different profile
which suggests that phage UB1 could be another strain. In summary, this study has
provided the knowledge regarding phage UB1 biology as well as its characteristics at
genomic level.
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Keywords
Characterization Of A New Bacterial Virus , From Orangutan (Pongo Pygmaeus)