Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40065321›Full record

ArticleVirology journal2025

Characterization and genomic analysis of Sharanji: a jumbo bacteriophage of Escherichia coli.

Sharayu Magar, Sivaraj Barath, Debmitra Sen, Ranjith Kumar Singari, T Nagarajan, Anjali Parmar, Sutharsan Govindarajan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Virology journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

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3citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. The biology of jumbo phages.Nature communications · 2026
    Review
  2. Isolation of Lytic Bacteriophages ofVeterinary sciences · 2025
    Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sharayu MagarDepartment of Biological Sciences, SRM University - AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522 240, India.
Sivaraj BarathDepartment of Biological Sciences, SRM University - AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522 240, India.
Debmitra SenDepartment of Biological Sciences, SRM University - AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522 240, India.
Ranjith Kumar SingariDepartment of Biological Sciences, SRM University - AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522 240, India.
T NagarajanDepartment of Biological Sciences, SRM University - AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522 240, India.
Anjali ParmarDepartment of Biological Sciences, SRM University - AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522 240, India.
Sutharsan GovindarajanDepartment of Biological Sciences, SRM University - AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522 240, India. sutharsan.g@srmap.edu.in.

Funding

DBT-Wellcome Trust Early Career Fellowship IA/E/19/1/504958DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance IA/E/19/1/504958DST-SERB CRG/2020/003295Wellcome Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBacteriophages are the most genetically diverse biological entities in nature. Our current understanding of phage biology primarily stems from studies on a limited number of model bacteriophages. Jumbo phages, characterized by their exceptionally large genomes, are less frequently isolated and studied. Some jumbo phages exhibit remarkable genetic diversity, unique infection mechanisms, and therapeutic potential.

methodsIn this study, we describe the isolation of Sharanji, a novel Escherichia coli jumbo phage, isolated from chicken feces. The phage genome was sequenced and analyzed extensively through gene annotation and phylogenetic analysis. The jumbo phage was phenotypically characterized through electron microscopy, host range analysis, and survival at different pH and temperatures, and one-step growth curve assay. Finally, Sharanji mediated infection of E. coli is studied through fluorescence microscopy, to analyze its mechanism of infection compared to well-studied nucleus-forming jumbo phages.

resultsWhole genome sequencing reveals that Sharanji has a genome size of 350,079 bp and is a phage encompassing 593 ORFs. Genomic analysis indicates that the phage belongs to the Asteriusvirus genus and is related to E. coli jumbo phages PBECO4 and 121Q. Phenotypic analysis of isolated phage Sharanji, indicates that the phage size is 245.3 nm, and it is a narrow-spectrum phage infecting E. coli K12 strains, but not other bacteria including avian pathogenic E. coli. Infection analysis using microscopy shows that Sharanji infection causes cell filamentation. Furthermore, intracellular phage nucleus-like structures were not observed in Sharanji-infected cells, in contrast to infection by ΦKZ-like jumbo phages.

conclusionsOur study reports the isolation and characterization of Sharanji, one of the large E. coli jumbo phages. Both genotypic and phenotypic analyses suggest that Sharanji serves as a unique model system for studying phage-bacteria interactions, particularly within the context of non-nucleus-forming jumbo phages. Further exploration of jumbo phages holds promise for uncovering new paradigms in the study of microbial viruses.

Indexed as

BacteriophagesColiphagesEscherichia coliGenome, ViralAnimalsChickensFecesGenomicsHost SpecificityPhylogenyWhole Genome SequencingBacteriophage genomicsE. coliJumbo phage

Identifiers

PMID40065321
PMCPMC11895373

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