Molecular evidence for the lysogenic state of microorganisms belonging to the genus Bordetella and characterization of Bordetella parapertussis temperate bacteriophage 66 sub(2-2)

• Published in: Russian journal of genetics 2006-03, Vol.42 (3), p.259-267
• Main Authors: Sinyashina, L N, Karataev, GI
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacteria; Bordetella; Bordetella parapertussis
• ISSN: 1022-7954
• DOI: 10.1134/S1022795406030057

A new bacteriophage phi K of microorganisms belonging to the genus Bordetella was isolated from cells of the earlier characterized strains 66 sub(2-2) (1 and 2) obtained upon phage conversion of B. parapertussis 17 903 cells by B. pertussis bacteriophage phi 134. Bacteriophage phi K is identical to previously described Bordetella bacteriophages phi T, phi 134, and phi 214 in morphology and some biological properties but has a permuted genome different from all other phages. DNA of bacteriophage phi K is not integrated in the chromosome of B. parapertussis 17 903, similar to DNA of bacteriophages phi T, phi 134, and phi 214 that are not integrated into B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica chromosomes, but may be present in a small part of the bacterial population as linear plasmids. Sequences homologous to DNA of bacteriophage phi K were detected in the chromosome of strain 66 sub(2-2) (1 and 2) and in chromosomes of all tested strains B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica. Prophage integration in chromosomes of microorganisms of the genus Bordetella may vary in different bacterial strains and species. An assumption about abortive lysogeny of B. parapertussis bacteria for phi K phage and of B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica for closely related phages phi T, phi 134, and phi 214 has been advanced. The possibility of involvement of B. pertussis insertion sequences in the formation of the chromosomal structure in 66 sub(2-2) convertants and in phage genomes is considered.