Abstract
The Bacillus cereus group of bacteria includes, inter alia, the species known to be associated with human diseases and food poisoning. Here, we describe the Bacillus phage vB_BtS_B83 (abbreviated as B83) infecting the species of this group. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs indicate that B83 belongs to the Siphoviridae family. B83 is a temperate phage using an arbitrium system for the regulation of the lysis–lysogeny switch, and is probably capable of forming a circular plasmid prophage. Comparative analysis shows that it has been previously sequenced, but was mistaken for a plasmid. B83 shares common genome organization and >46% of proteins with other the Bacillus phage, BMBtp14. Phylograms constructed using large terminase subunits and a pan-genome presence–absence matrix show that these phages form a clade distinct from the closest viruses. Based on the above, we propose the creation of a new genus named Bembunaquatrovirus that includes B83 and BMBtp14.
Highlights
Over the past two decades, the number of bacteriophage genomes deposited in public databases has substantially increased due to the advances in sequencing technologies, which has led to an increasing interest in the field of phage taxonomy [1]
Bacillus phage B83 was isolated by mitomycin C induction from its host strain B. thuringiensis VKM
B-83, which has a high level of similarity to the B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis ATCC35646 according to fingerprint analysis [30]
Summary
Over the past two decades, the number of bacteriophage genomes deposited in public databases has substantially increased due to the advances in sequencing technologies, which has led to an increasing interest in the field of phage taxonomy [1]. The first classification of tailed bacteriophages (phages) was proposed in the 1970s based on morphology and nucleic acid composition [2,3,4]. New approaches appeared in phage taxonomy, including whole genome and proteome comparisons, based on which new phage taxa were established, including the Ackermannviridae and Herelleviridae families, as well as 19 subfamilies and more than 250 genera within Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, and Podoviridae. The tailed phages of these bacteria are numerous and widespread, similar to their hosts, and are represented by many genera of the Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, Herelleviridae, and Podoviridae families, as well as by numerous unclassified phages. The temperate phages of Bacillus, including those of the Bacillus cereus group members, were the first viruses where the “arbitrium” signal system similar to the quorum-sensing systems of their hosts was detected [6,7]
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