Abstract

While analyzing plasmids of Acinetobacter sp. DS002 we have detected a circular DNA molecule pTS236, which upon further investigation is identified as the genome of a phage. The phage genome has shown sequence similarity to the recently discovered Sphinx 2.36 DNA sequence co-purified with the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) particles isolated from infected brain samples collected from diverse geographical regions. As in Sphinx 2.36, the phage genome also codes for three proteins. One of them codes for RepA and is shown to be involved in replication of pTS236 through rolling circle (RC) mode. The other two translationally coupled ORFs, orf106 and orf96, code for coat proteins of the phage. Although an orf96 homologue was not previously reported in Sphinx 2.36, a closer examination of DNA sequence of Sphinx 2.36 revealed its presence downstream of orf106 homologue. TEM images and infection assays revealed existence of phage AbDs1 in Acinetobacter sp. DS002.

Highlights

  • The phage genome has shown sequence similarity to the recently discovered Sphinx 2.36 DNA sequence co-purified with the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) particles isolated from infected brain samples collected from diverse geographical regions

  • DS002 was isolated from OP pesticide-polluted agricultural soils and the strain name was given based on 16 S rRNA gene sequence identity (100%) with the type strain Acinetobacter baumannii MDR-TJ

  • The culture deposited in Microbial Type Culture Collection Center (MTCC), IMTECH, Chandigarh, India is available as Acinetobacter sp

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Summary

Introduction

The phage genome has shown sequence similarity to the recently discovered Sphinx 2.36 DNA sequence co-purified with the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) particles isolated from infected brain samples collected from diverse geographical regions. A recent study has identified two circular DNA molecules in the TSE particles purified from infected samples collected from diverse geographical regions[26]. These two circular DNA molecules were designated as SPHINX sequences using an acronym given for Slow Progressive Hidden INfections of variable (X) latency as they were enriched in infectious preparations. The experimental evidence presented in this study suggests that the circular DNA is the genome of a phage capable of replicating via the rolling-circle mode

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