The genome of bacteriophage φKMV, a T7-like virus infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Published in: Virology (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2003-07, Vol.312 (1), p.49-59
• Main Authors: Lavigne, Rob, Burkal’tseva, Maria V, Robben, Johan, Sykilinda, Nina N, Kurochkina, Lidia P, Grymonprez, Barbara, Jonckx, Bart, Krylov, Victor N, Mesyanzhinov, Vadim V, Volckaert, Guido
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Endolysin; Genome sequence; Phage evolution; Phage therapy; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; RNA polymerase; T7 bacteriophage
• ISSN: 0042-6822; 1096-0341
• DOI: 10.1016/S0042-6822(03)00123-5

The complete DNA sequence of a new lytic T7-like bacteriophage φKMV is presented. It is the first genome sequence of a member of the Podoviridae that infects Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The linear G + C-rich (62.3%) double-stranded DNA genome of 42,519 bp has direct terminal repeats of 414 bp and contains 48 open reading frames that are all transcribed from the same strand. Despite absence of homology at the DNA level, 11 of the 48 φKMV-encoded putative proteins show sequence similarity to known T7-type phage proteins. Eighteen open reading frame products have been assigned, including an RNA polymerase, proteins involved in DNA replication, as well as structural, phage maturation, and lysis proteins. Surprisingly, the major capsid protein completely lacks sequence homology to any known protein. Also, the strong virulence toward many clinical P. aeruginosa isolates and a short replication time make φKMV attractive for phage therapy or a potential source for antimicrobial proteins.