Characterization of Gordonia Rubripertincta Bacteriophage with Myoviridae Morphology

Abstract

Bacteriophages are significant drivers of bacterial evolution. As bacteria mutate to avoid infection, phages evolve and develop ways to break down and avoid bacterial defenses. This race for survival has resulted in a broad spectrum of diversity within the phage population. The Actinobacteriophages are a group of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) phages belonging to the order of Caudovirales. Based on their tail structures, these phages are further classified across three families: Siphoviridae, Myoviridae, or Podoviridae. Currently, 343 phages using Gordonia rubripertincta NRRL B-16540 (Gordonia) as a host are registered in The Actinobacteriophage Database at Phages DB.org. Interestingly, only nine of these phages are known to have a Myoviridae morphology. However, the other 334 Gordonia phages have Siphoviridae morphologies. Five of the nine Myoviridae phages were isolated, characterized, and registered by George Mason University students. These five phages presented difficulties while using the standard protocol during the DNA extraction process and required a modified protocol to obtain the required starting material for downstream applications such as genome sequencing. Within these Myoviridae Gordonia phages, unique capsid proteins have been identified as being likely responsible for the difficulties experienced using the standard DNA extraction protocol. This study focuses on five novel Myoviridae Gordonia phage genomes in cluster DQ and the phylogenetic and morphological relationships between these cluster DQ phages and other Gordonia phages. In addition, the protocol for the modified DNA extraction is discussed. The information presented expands our knowledge of phages and this will further increase their value in both basic and applied research. Finally, due to their lytic nature, adding these phages will be powerful tools for future therapies, such as treating antibiotic-resistant infections.