Article
Comparative Genomics of Cluster O Mycobacteriophages
PLOS ONE
(2015)
Abstract
Mycobacteriophages – viruses of mycobacterial hosts – are genetically diverse but morphologically
are all classified in the Caudovirales with double-stranded DNA and tails. We describe
here a group of five closely related mycobacteriophages – Corndog, Catdawg,
Dylan, Firecracker, and YungJamal – designated as Cluster O with long flexible tails but
with unusual prolate capsids. Proteomic analysis of phage Corndog particles, Catdawg particles,
and Corndog-infected cells confirms expression of half of the predicted gene products
and indicates a non-canonical mechanism for translation of the Corndog tape measure
protein. Bioinformatic analysis identifies 8–9 strongly predicted SigA promoters and all five
Cluster O genomes contain more than 30 copies of a 17 bp repeat sequence with dyad symmetry
located throughout the genomes. Comparison of the Cluster O phages provides insights
into phage genome evolution including the processes of gene flux by horizontal
genetic exchange.
Keywords
- Mycobacterium,
- mycobacterophage,
- bacteriophage,
- phage,
- Cluster O
Disciplines
Publication Date
Spring March 5, 2015
DOI
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0118725
Citation Information
Kathleen Cornely. "Comparative Genomics of Cluster O Mycobacteriophages" PLOS ONE (2015) ISSN: 1932-6203 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kathleen-cornely/15/