Genomics of staphylococcal Twort-like phages--potential therapeutics of the post-antibiotic era.

摘要: Polyvalent bacteriophages of the genus Twort-like that infect clinically relevant Staphylococcus strains may be among most promising phages with potential therapeutic applications. They are obligatorily lytic, majority in clinical strain collections, propagate efficiently and do not transfer foreign DNA by transduction. Comparative genomic analysis 11 S. aureus/S. epidermidis phages, as presented this chapter, emphasizes their strikingly high similarity clear divergence from phage Twort same genus, which might have evolved hosts a different species group. Genetically, these form relatively isolated group, minimizes risk acquiring potentially harmful genes. The order genes core parts 127 to 140-kb genomes is conserved resembles found related representatives Spounavirinae subfamily myoviruses. Functions certain can predicted based on homology prototypical model spounavirus SPO1. Deletions mark dispensable for development. Nearly half no known homologues. Unique mostly located near termini virion molecule expressed early development implied transcriptional signals. Thus, many them likely play role host takeover. Single encode homologues bacterial virulence-associated proteins. were apparently acquired common ancestor horizontal gene but presumably towards gaining functions increase infectivity bacteria or facilitate mature release. Major differences between consist single nucleotide polymorphisms insertions/deletions short stretches nucleotides, genes, introns group I. Although number location vary particular intron shuffling unlikely major factor responsible specificity differences.