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The SPO1-related bacteriophages.
Jochen Klumpp1, Rob Lavigne, Martin J Loessner
1Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, Zurich, Switzerland. jklumpp@ethz.ch
Archives of Virology
|August 18, 2010
Summary
SPO1-like viruses, a diverse bacteriophage group infecting Firmicutes, are characterized by specific genomic and morphological traits. Their large numbers suggest these virulent myoviruses are widespread in nature.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Microbiology
- Genomics
Background:
- Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, are crucial in microbial ecosystems.
- The SPO1-like virus group is a diverse collection of bacteriophages with limited available molecular data for many members.
- Recent proposals suggest expanding this group into the tentative subfamily Spounavirinae.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of putative SPO1-like viruses.
- To discuss available molecular and genomic data for SPO1-related phages.
- To evaluate the proposed expansion of this group to the subfamily Spounavirinae.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and data compilation on SPO1-like viruses.
- Analysis of genomic and molecular characteristics of SPO1-related phages.
- Comparison of morphological and biological properties of identified phages.
Main Results:
- SPO1-like viruses infect Firmicutes bacteria.
- These viruses are strictly virulent myoviruses with common morphological features.
- Genomes are dsDNA, 127-157 kb, terminally redundant, and non-permuted, with significant amino acid homology among members.
Conclusions:
- SPO1-like viruses represent a large and diverse group with conserved characteristics.
- The extensive number of identified phages suggests their ubiquitous presence.
- The data support the consideration of these viruses within the Spounavirinae subfamily.
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