prophage

American  

[proh-feyj] / ˈproʊˌfeɪdʒ /

noun

Microbiology.

1. a stable, inherited form of bacteriophage in which the genetic material of the virus is integrated into, replicated, and expressed with the genetic material of the bacterial host.

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prophage British  

/ ˈprəʊfeɪdʒ /

noun

1. a virus that exists in a bacterial cell and undergoes division with its host without destroying it Compare bacteriophage

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Etymology

Origin of prophage

1950–55; shortening of French probactériophage; see pro- ¹, bacteriophage

Compare meaning

How does prophage compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• prophage vs. provirus

Example Sentences

This change creates two "chimeric proteins" composed of DNA from the prophage itself.

From Science Daily • Nov. 3, 2025

Wolbachia's prophage WO genes code for proteins that interfere with normal development of sperm cells.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2024

When the phage DNA is incorporated into the host cell genome, it is called a prophage.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Because when the host cell experiences unfavorable conditions, the prophage exits the genome and enters the lytic cycle.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The lytic cycle can theoretically produce more virions as the prophage following lysogenic cycle ultimately gets excised from the host cell’s genome and enter the lytic cycle.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022