A suggested new bacteriophage genus: "Viunalikevirus".
We suggest a bacteriophage genus, "Viunalikevirus", as a new genus within the family Myoviridae. To date, this genus includes seven sequenced members: Salmonella phages ViI, SFP10 and ΦSH19; Escherichia phages CBA120 and PhaxI; Shigella phage phiSboM-AG3; and Dickeya phage LIMEstone1. Their shared myovirus morphology, with comparable head sizes and tail dimensions, and genome organization are considered distinguishing features. They appear to have conserved regulatory sequences, a horizontally acquired tRNA set and the probable substitution of an alternate base for thymine in the DNA. A close examination of the tail spike region in the DNA revealed four distinct tail spike proteins, an arrangement which might lead to the umbrella-like structures of the tails visible on electron micrographs. These properties set the suggested genus apart from the recently ratified subfamily Tevenvirinae, although a significant evolutionary relationship can be observed.
Laboratory of Gene Technology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21, Heverlee, Belgium.
Evelien M
EM
Adriaenssens
Hans-Wolfgang
HW
Ackermann
Hany
H
Anany
Bob
B
Blasdel
Ian F
IF
Connerton
David
D
Goulding
Mansel W
MW
Griffiths
Steven P
SP
Hooton
Elizabeth M
EM
Kutter
Andrew M
AM
Kropinski
Ju-Hoon
JH
Lee
Martine
M
Maes
Derek
D
Pickard
Sangryeol
S
Ryu
Zargham
Z
Sepehrizadeh
S Sabouri
SS
Shahrbabak
Ana L
AL
Toribio
Rob
R
Lavigne
D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003090:Coliphages / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; D017900:Myoviridae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010802:Phylogeny; D012483:Salmonella Phages / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D017376:Viral Tail Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
D014764:Viral Proteins; D017376:Viral Tail Proteins; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; C083268:tailspike protein, bacteriophage