Characterization and genome analysis of a novel Vibrio parahaemolyticus phage vB_VpP_DE17.

ABSTRACT

A novel phage vB_VpP_DE17, which infects Vibrio parahaemolyticus, was isolated from the sewer of the Huangsha aquatic market in Guangzhou. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that DE17 had an icosahedral head (47 ± 2 nm diameter) and a short, non-contractile tail (17 ± 2 nm). The genome of DE17 was a double-stranded linear DNA with a length of 43,397 bp and GC content of 49.23%. In total, 49 putative open reading frames (ORFs) were predicted and could be divided into six modules DNA metabolism, lysis, packaging, structure, additional function, and hypothetical proteins. Taxonomic analysis revealed that the phage belonging to the genus of Maculvirus, Autographivirinae subfamily, Podoviridae family. DE17 had a short latent period of 5 min with burst size of 80 pfu/cell. Its optimum temperature and pH ranges were 4 °C-50 °C and 5-10, respectively; it was completely inactivated after 20 min of ultraviolet irradiation. No transfer RNA (tRNA), virulence associated, or antibiotic resistance genes were identified. Bacterial challenge test revealed that DE17 had a certain inhibitory effect on V. parahaemolyticus within 6 h. Characterization, genomic analysis and in vitro antibacterial assays of DE17 will further enhance our understanding of phage biology and diversity.