profaag

A profaag is a type of bacteriophage, which is a virus that infects and replicates within bacteria. The term "profaag" is often used interchangeably with "prophage," referring to the latent, integrated state of a bacteriophage within the bacterial genome. In this form, the viral DNA is incorporated into the bacterial chromosome, and it is replicated along with the bacterial DNA during cell division. The host bacterium harboring a prophage is called a lysogenic bacterium.

Prophages are typically dormant and do not actively produce new viral particles. However, they can be induced to enter the lytic cycle by various stimuli, such as exposure to certain chemicals, UV radiation, or other stressors. Upon induction, the prophage excises itself from the bacterial chromosome, activates viral gene expression, and begins to synthesize new phage particles. These new phages are then released from the host cell, often leading to its lysis and death.

The presence of a prophage can confer new traits upon the host bacterium, a phenomenon known as lysogenic conversion. These traits can include increased virulence, altered metabolic capabilities, or resistance to other phages. This ability of phages to transfer genetic material between bacteria is a significant factor in bacterial evolution and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Understanding profaages is crucial in fields like molecular biology, genetics, and in developing phage therapy as a potential alternative to antibiotics.