Prophages / 微生物学通报

ABSTRACT

It is common in bacterial genomes of the integration of prophages. As an important participant of the vital movement of their hosts, prophages affect closely the biological properties of the hosts. Therefore, if we want to comprehend a bacterial genome fully, it is essential to recognize and understand accurately prophages in it. This article is a compendious review about the classification, distribution, identification, evolution of prophages and the interaction with their hosts.