Characteristics and complete genome sequence of the virulent Vibrio alginolyticus phage VAP7, isolated in Hainan, China

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Abstract
A novel Vibrio alginolyticus phage, VAP7, was isolated from seawater collected from Sanya, Hainan province, China. Whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed that phage VAP7 has a linear, double-stranded DNA genome of 144,685 bp with an average G+C content of 41.9% and a high degree of sequence similarity to Vibrio phage VP-1. Annotation results identified 193 open reading frames and one transfer RNA-encoding gene in the phage genome. The morphology and the results of phylogenetic analysis suggest that VAP7 should be classified as a new member of the family Ackermannviridae. Moreover, phage VAP7 grew over a wide pH (5.0-10.0) and temperature (4-40 degrees C) range. Host-range experiments revealed that VAP7 could infect 31 Vibrio alginolyticus strains. Thus, VAP7 infecting Vibrio alginolyticus strains represents a potential new candidate for use in phage therapy.
Funding Information
  • the Capital Characteristic Clinic Project of Beijing (Z161100000516181)
  • the national key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFC1202705, AWS16J020, AWS15J006)
  • the National Science and Technology Major Project (2018ZX10201001)