Molecular characterization of a new efficiently transducing bacteriophage identified in meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

J Gen Virol. 2016 Jan;97(1):258-268. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.000329. Epub 2015 Nov 4.

Abstract

In Staphylococcus aureus, generalized transduction mediated by temperate bacteriophages represents a highly efficient way of transferring antibiotic resistance genes between strains. In the present study, we identified and characterized in detail a new efficiently transducing bacteriophage of the family Siphoviridae, designated ϕJB, which resides as a prophage in the meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain Jevons B. Whole-genome sequencing followed by detailed in silico analysis uncovered a linear dsDNA genome consisting of 43 ,12 bp and comprising 70 ORFs, of which ∼40 encoded proteins with unknown function. A global genome alignment of ϕJB and other efficiently transducing phages ϕ11, ϕ53, ϕ80, ϕ80α and ϕNM4 showed a high degree of homology with ϕNM4 and substantial differences with regard to other phages. Using a model transduction system with a well-defined donor and recipient, ϕJB transferred the tetracycline resistance plasmid pT181 and a penicillinase plasmid with outstanding frequencies, beating most of the above-mentioned phages by an order of magnitude. Moreover, ϕJB demonstrated high frequencies of transferring antibiotic resistance plasmids even upon induction from a lysogenic donor strain. Considering such transducing potential, ϕJB and related bacteriophages may serve as a suitable tool for elucidating the nature of transduction and its contribution to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in naturally occurring MRSA populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computational Biology
  • DNA, Viral / chemistry
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Gene Order
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal
  • Genome, Viral
  • Lysogeny
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / virology*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Phylogeny
  • Plasmids
  • Prophages / genetics*
  • Prophages / isolation & purification*
  • Prophages / ultrastructure
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology
  • Siphoviridae / genetics
  • Siphoviridae / isolation & purification
  • Siphoviridae / ultrastructure
  • Synteny
  • Transduction, Genetic*
  • Virus Activation

Substances

  • DNA, Viral

Associated data

  • GENBANK/KT344895