Metagenomic Analysis of Lysogeny in Tampa Bay: Implications for Prophage Gene Expression
2008

Metagenomic Analysis of Lysogeny in Tampa Bay

Sample size: 200 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lauren McDaniel, Mya Breitbart, Jennifer Mobberley, Amy Long, Matthew Haynes, Forest Rohwer, John H. Paul

Primary Institution: University of South Florida, College of Marine Science

Hypothesis

Genes specific to the process of lysogeny would be identifiable in the Tampa Bay viral metagenome and that expression of these genes would be detectable and concurrent with prophage induction in natural samples.

Conclusion

The study found that integrase genes are present and can be stable in the population over time, with their expression detectable in natural samples and correlated with prophage induction.

Supporting Evidence

  • The induced viral metagenome produced 294,068 reads with an average length of 104 bp.
  • Integrase gene expression was detected in conjunction with statistically significant prophage induction.
  • The Vibrio-like integrase was found in 39 of 56 global ocean sampling sites.

Takeaway

Scientists studied viruses in Tampa Bay to see how they interact with bacteria. They found that some viruses can hide in bacteria and come out later, which is important for understanding how these tiny creatures affect the environment.

Methodology

The study involved sequencing an induced viral metagenome from Tampa Bay and analyzing the presence and expression of integrase genes over a year.

Limitations

The study was limited by the number of data points available for statistical analysis.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.1

Confidence Interval

90%

Statistical Significance

p<0.1

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0003263

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