Complete genome sequence of vB_EcoM_ECO1230-10: A coliphage with therapeutic potential for bovine metritis

Abstract

Escherichia coli is one of the most important pathogens associated with puerperal metritis in dairy cows. Phage therapy has emerged as attractive therapeutic alternative in the control of multidrug-resistant pathogens. In this study, we present the complete genome sequence of vB_EcoM_ECO1230-10 (referred in this manuscript as ECO1230-10), a lytic E. coli phage isolated from dairy farms’ manure systems. Ultrastructure of the phage revealed that ECO1230-10 belongs to Myoviridae family. The genome consisted of 41,666 bases with a G + C content of 53.37% and 56 predicted ORFs. It displays circular topology in a modular organization seen in phages, as demonstrated by the presence of gene modules, which is typical among members of this family. Based on similarity to genes from other related phages, the genome of ECO1230-10 was modularly clustered in tail-baseplate-head morphogenesis, DNA packaging, host cell lysis, and DNA replication and metabolism modules. Lysogeny control module was not detected in the ECO1230-10 genome. Comparative analyses showed that ECO1230-10 presents phylogenetic relationship with an Enterobacteria phage of the Myoviridae family, but it is almost in a taxonomic group of its own. The genome sequence of ECO1230-10, which is notably active against pathogenic E. coli isolated from uterine secretion of postpartum dairy cows, should provide new insights into the biology and evolution of this therapeutic candidate and possibly new strategies to control metritic-causing E. coli.