Genomic Annotation of Microbacterium foliorum Bacteriophages Rhysand and MonChoix
Poster Number
003
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Faculty Mentor
Kristi Westover, Ph.D., and Victoria Frost, Ph.D.
Abstract
In conjunction with the HHMI Science Education Alliance – Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) Program, two novel bacteriophages, Rhysand and MonChoix, were isolated and characterized using the host bacterium Microbacterium foliorum. DNA samples of high titer lysate were sent to the University of Pittsburgh for sequencing. The genome annotation was performed at Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina. The probable start site of each open reading frame was evaluated using coding potential data and ribosomal binding scores computed using an algorithm implemented in DNAMaster. We conducted homology comparisons using several programs, including Phamerator, BLASTp and HHPred, in order to determine gene function. Rhysand is a member of the EE cluster and contains 25 open reading frames. Its genome is 17,453 base pairs in length with a GC content equal to 68.7%. We identified a -1 frameshift in the tail assembly chaperone proteins, which is characteristic of all other annotated members of the EE cluster. MonChoix is a member of the EA cluster, and a member of the EA1 sub-cluster. MonChoix has 63 open reading frames and is 41,670 base pairs in length, with a GC content equal to 63.4%. Members of the EA1 sub-cluster are not known to contain frameshifts in the tail assembly chaperone proteins, in contrast to other members of the EA cluster. This research contributes to the expanding knowledge of phage evolution, genetic characterization and host interaction that has potential for use in the field of infectious disease control, including phage therapy.
Previously Presented/Performed?
Southeastern Undergraduate Science Symposium, Charlotte, North Carolina, March 2019
Start Date
12-4-2019 12:00 PM
End Date
April 2019
Genomic Annotation of Microbacterium foliorum Bacteriophages Rhysand and MonChoix
Rutledge Building
In conjunction with the HHMI Science Education Alliance – Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) Program, two novel bacteriophages, Rhysand and MonChoix, were isolated and characterized using the host bacterium Microbacterium foliorum. DNA samples of high titer lysate were sent to the University of Pittsburgh for sequencing. The genome annotation was performed at Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina. The probable start site of each open reading frame was evaluated using coding potential data and ribosomal binding scores computed using an algorithm implemented in DNAMaster. We conducted homology comparisons using several programs, including Phamerator, BLASTp and HHPred, in order to determine gene function. Rhysand is a member of the EE cluster and contains 25 open reading frames. Its genome is 17,453 base pairs in length with a GC content equal to 68.7%. We identified a -1 frameshift in the tail assembly chaperone proteins, which is characteristic of all other annotated members of the EE cluster. MonChoix is a member of the EA cluster, and a member of the EA1 sub-cluster. MonChoix has 63 open reading frames and is 41,670 base pairs in length, with a GC content equal to 63.4%. Members of the EA1 sub-cluster are not known to contain frameshifts in the tail assembly chaperone proteins, in contrast to other members of the EA cluster. This research contributes to the expanding knowledge of phage evolution, genetic characterization and host interaction that has potential for use in the field of infectious disease control, including phage therapy.
