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A Concoction Pipeline for Generating Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) Among Riparian and Aquatic Beetles
Published on: July 11, 2025
Unifying classical and molecular taxonomic classification: analysis of the Podoviridae using BLASTP-based tools
Rob Lavigne1, Donald Seto, Padmanabhan Mahadevan
1Laboratory of Gene Technology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium.
Abstract:
We defined phage genera by measuring genome relationships by the numbers of shared homologous/orthologous proteins. We used BLAST-based tools (CoreExtractor.vbs and CoreGenes) to analyze 55 fully sequenced bacteriophage genomes from the NCBI and EBI databases. This approach was first applied to the T7-related phages. Using a cut-off score of 40% homologous proteins, we identified three genera within the T7-related phages, redefined the phi29-related phages, and introduced five novel genera. The T7- and phi29-related phages were given subfamily status and named "Autographivirinae" and "Picovirinae", respectively. Our results confirm and refine the ICTV phage classification, enable elimination of errors in public databases, and provide a straightforward tool for the molecular classification of new phage genomes.
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