Complete genomic sequence of the virulent Salmonella bacteriophage SP6

J Bacteriol. 2004 Apr;186(7):1933-44. doi: 10.1128/JB.186.7.1933-1944.2004.

Abstract

We report the complete genome sequence of enterobacteriophage SP6, which infects Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The genome contains 43,769 bp, including a 174-bp direct terminal repeat. The gene content and organization clearly place SP6 in the coliphage T7 group of phages, but there is approximately 5 kb at the right end of the genome that is not present in other members of the group, and the homologues of T7 genes 1.3 through 3 appear to have undergone an unusual reorganization. Sequence analysis identified 10 putative promoters for the SP6-encoded RNA polymerase and seven putative rho-independent terminators. The terminator following the gene encoding the major capsid subunit has a termination efficiency of about 50% with the SP6-encoded RNA polymerase. Phylogenetic analysis of phages related to SP6 provided clear evidence for horizontal exchange of sequences in the ancestry of these phages and clearly demarcated exchange boundaries; one of the recombination joints lies within the coding region for a phage exonuclease. Bioinformatic analysis of the SP6 sequence strongly suggested that DNA replication occurs in large part through a bidirectional mechanism, possibly with circular intermediates.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Replication
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Genome, Viral*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Phylogeny
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Salmonella Phages / genetics*
  • Salmonella typhimurium / virology*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA*
  • Terminator Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Viral Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY288927
  • GENBANK/L25625
  • RefSeq/NC_002947