Introducing Casbah, Kronus and MmasiCarm: Members of the Mycobacteriophage Subcluster B3

Student Authors

Ruusu Ankeriasniemi '24, Gettysburg College

Jehan Mody '24, Gettysburg College

Abigail Roy '23, Gettysburg College

Ward Sarvis '26, Gettysburg College

Duy Vo '25, Gettysburg College

Allison Walsh '23, Gettysburg College

Rose Zappia '23, Gettysburg College

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2024

Department 1

Biology

Abstract

Background: As part of a large science education effort, bacteriophages that lyse Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 continue to be discovered. Materials and Methods: Phages were isolated from soil samples from urban sites in the Northeastern United States. Their genomes were sequenced, assembled, and bioinformatically compared. Results: Three lytic siphoviruses belonging to subcluster B3 with high similarity to each other and other B3 mycobacteriophages were isolated. These phages contain double-stranded DNA genomes (68,754 to 69,495 bp) with high GC content (67.4–67.5%) and 102–104 putative protein coding genes. Notable features include a HicA-like toxin and 33 genes exclusive to subcluster B3. One phage had an intein in its terminase sequence. Conclusions: Genomic analyses of these phages provide insights into genome evolution and horizontal gene transfer (HGT). The networks for HGT are apparently vast and gene specific. Interestingly, a number of genes are found in both B3 and Gordonia DR phages.

DOI

10.1089/phage.2024.0004

Version

Version of Record

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