Study of Prophages in Bacillus anthracis
Author Information
Author(s): Sozhamannan Shanmuga, Chute Michael D, McAfee Farrell D, Fouts Derrick E, Akmal Arya, Galloway Darrell R, Mateczun Alfred, Baillie Leslie W, Read Timothy D
Primary Institution: Biological Defense Research Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center
Hypothesis
Are the four prophages unique to Bacillus anthracis and do they produce active phages?
Conclusion
The four prophages are retained across all tested strains of Bacillus anthracis, indicating their recent emergence, but they do not produce viable phage particles.
Supporting Evidence
- All B. anthracis strains produced all four phage-specific amplicons.
- None of the non-B. anthracis strains produced more than one phage-specific amplicon.
- Prophage excision occurs at very low frequencies.
- Induction with mitomycin C increased the frequency of excision of one prophage by approximately 250 fold.
- All four prophages appear to be defective as no viable phage particles were produced.
Takeaway
This study found that all Bacillus anthracis strains have four special DNA pieces called prophages, but these pieces can't make new viruses.
Methodology
PCR screening of 300 strains for prophage presence and excision frequency analysis using SYBR-green real-time PCR.
Limitations
The study did not confirm the functionality of the prophages in producing viable phage particles.
Participant Demographics
192 B. anthracis strains and 108 non-anthracis strains from various geographic regions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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