Archana, Kishore; Dr.Sarita,Bhat G(Cochin University of Science and Technology, March , 2007)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
The temperate, filamentous phage ФMV -5 isolated from Mangalavanam
mangrove of Kochi, using the environmental strain of Vibrio sp. MV-5 shares
many similar properties with other marine phage isolates, while also remaining
unique. The study has revealed that the interaction of temperate phages and the
microbial population in the marine environment may contribute significantly to
microbial genetic diversity and composition by conversion and transduction and
which requires greater study.Prophages contribute a substantial share of the mobile DNA of their
bacterial hosts and seem to influence the short-term evolution of pathogenic
bacteria. Automated methods for systematic investigation of prophages and other
mobile DNA elements in the available bacterial genome sequences will be
necessary to understand their role in bacterial genome evolution. In the past,
phages were mainly investigated as the simplest model systems in molecular
biology. Now it is increasingly realized that phage research will be instrumental in
the understanding of bacterial abundance in the environment. One can predict that
phage research will impact diverse areas such as geochemistry and medicine.
Success will largely depend on integrative multidisciplinary approaches in this
field. Clearly, further studies are required to understand how vibriophages interact
with Vibrios to promote this organism's acquisition of the critical genes which alter
its virulence or adaptation to its environmental niche.It is evident from this study and comparison with those reports cited above
that vibriophage ФMV-5 is a previously unreported bacteriophage. It is
recommended that the minimum requirement for reporting a new phage should be
novel morphological markers and a description of host range, both of which have
been achieved in this study.
Description:
Department of Biotechnology,
Cochin University of Science and Technology