Insights into the genomic features, lifestyle and therapeutic potential of B1 sub-cluster mycobacteriophages

Background A large number (about 1200) of mycobacteriophages (phages) have been isolated on Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155. Their genome analysis shows high sequence diversity; therefore, based on nucleotide sequence similarity and genomic architecture, the related phages have been grouped in clusters and sub-clusters. However, a deeper study of mycobacteriophages has been conducted only for a few clusters. This study explores the traits of phages belonging to the B1 sub-cluster. We have attempted to functionally annotate and experimentally characterize B1 phages to get an insight into their biology and explore their therapeutic potential. Methods Analysis of B1 sub-cluster phage genomes to understand their key characteristics & lifestyle and to determine the putative function of hypothetical proteins (HPs), we developed a framework with a specific set of computational tools available online. For the experimental characterization, mycobacteriophages were isolated from environmental samples and were examined for their morphology, lysogeny status, effect on biofilm and activity against drug-resistant M. smegmatis. The B1 sub-cluster phages were identified by PCR using the specific primers. Results We have predicted the function of about 55% of the 77 representative proteins in B1 phages, which were previously deemed hypothetical. We studied ten B1 phages (Phages 1-10) which included their morphological characteristics, lysogeny status and antibiofilm activity. TEM analysis, showing an average head & tail size of 65 nm and 202.12 nm, respectively. The turbid morphology of several plaques suggested these phages to be temperate. To verify, we tested their potential to lysogenize M. smegmatis and later found the spontaneous release from the putative lysogens. Interestingly, a putative RepA-like protein was identified in B1 phage genomes, indicating a possibility of extrachromosomal replication of prophages. Further, the impact of Phages 1-10 on M. smegmatis biofilm was found to be potent; the highest inhibitory and disruptive effect of phages (at a fixed titre of 108 pfu/ml) was 64% and 46%, respectively. Also, all ten phages could kill 4XR1 (the isoniazid-resistant M. smegmatis strain). Conclusion We believe this combination of experimental analysis and exploration of genomic features of mycobacteriophages belonging to a sub-cluster can provide deeper insights into mycobacteriophage biology and also help in understanding their therapeutic potential.

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