Phage vB_BsuP-Goe1: the smallest identified lytic phage of Bacillus subtilis

Abstract

Currently, interest in phage science is on the rise again as this subject remains largely unexplored, and its potential diversity mainly untapped. Here, we present phage vB_BsuP-Goe1, a new isolate that infects Bacillus subtilis. The phage forms round plaques with a matt outline on agar plates containing a B. subtilis Delta 6 lawn. Transmission electron microscopy and genomic analyses revealed that phage vB_BsuP-Goe1 belongs to the Podoviridae family as a new member of the Phi29likevirus genus. The phage genome comprises 18 379 bp that encode for one RNA gene and for 24 open reading frames. Phage vB_BsuP-Goe1 clusters with phage B103 and Nf within the Phi29likevirus genus and is currently the smallest member of this genus. Genome comparison with members of the Phi29likevirus genus reveals a conserved gene set coding for essential replication and morphogenesis functions while the genome extremities are more prone to gene and genome organisation variability.