Structural and genetical features of lityc bacteriophage Lw1, a new member of pseudo T-even phage group

Abstract

Aims. Bacteriophages are diverse group of bacterial parasites which have complex, but insufficient systematics. RB43-related bacteriophages have a specific genome type that clearly distinguishes them from other T4-like viruses. The main aim was to identify new Myoviridae phage Lw1 isolated as an E. coli BL21(DE3) contaminant. Methods. Microbiological, biophysical, molecular biology and bioinformatic methods were used to reach the aims. Results. Here we present main characteristics and complete genome sequence of a new lytic phage Lw1 which shares RB43-like genome organization, but it does not contain putative AP2-domain endonuclease genes. Conclusions. By genomic organization phage Lw1 belongs to subgroup of RB43-like pseudo T-even phages. Although the Lw1 genome does contain one T4-like phage endonuclease of the MobE family, there is a lack of AP2-domain-containing endonucleases, and the relative paucity of mobile elements indicates either recent loss events or the presence of limited sites for viable insertion in the genome compared to some other RB43-like phages.

Keywords: T4-like phages, identification, morphology, structural proteins, DNA pattern, genome organization, phage-specific nucleases, gene drift.