title: Comparative analysis of the widespread and conserved PB1-like viruses infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
abstract: We examined the genetic diversity of lytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage PB1 and four closely related phages (LBL3, LMA2, 14-1 and SN) isolated throughout Europe. They all encapsulate linear, non-permuted genomes between 64 427 and 66 530 bp within a solid, acid-resistant isometric capsid (diameter: 74 nm) and carry non-flexible, contractile tails of approximately 140 nm. The genomes are organized into at least seven transcriptional blocks, alternating on both strands, and encode between 88 (LBL3) and 95 (LMA2) proteins. Their virion particles are composed of at least 22 different proteins, which were identified using mass spectrometry. Post-translational modifications were suggested for two proteins, and a frameshift hotspot was identified within ORF42, encoding a structural protein. Despite large temporal and spatial separations between phage isolations, very high sequence similarity and limited horizontal gene transfer were found between the individual viruses. These PB1-like viruses constitute a new genus of environmentally very widespread phages within the Myoviridae.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gene Technology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pieter-Jan
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ceyssens
authors.forename: Konstantin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miroshnikov
authors.forename: Wesley
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mattheus
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Krylov
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robben
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Noben
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vanderschraeghe
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sykilinda
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kropinski
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Volckaert
authors.forename: Vadim
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mesyanzhinov
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lavigne
mesh_terms: D017124:Conserved Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005060:Europe; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D014644:Genetic Variation; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D017105:Pseudomonas Phages / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000821:virology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014771:Virion / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins