Journal Article
A suggested new bacteriophage genus: “Viunalikevirus”
Evelien M. Adriaenssens; Hans-Wolfgang Ackermann; Hany Anany; Bob Blasdel; Ian F. Connerton; David Goulding; Mansel W. Griffiths; Steven P. Hooton; Elizabeth M. Kutter; Andrew M. Kropinski; Ju-Hoon Lee; Martine Maes; Derek Pickard; Sangryeol Ryu; Zargham Sepehrizadeh; S. Sabouri Shahrbabak; Ana L. Toribio; Rob Lavigne
Archives of Virology · Vol. 157, Issue 10 · pp. 2035-2046 · 2012
Abstract
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.