Analysis of a Novel Bacteriophage vB_AchrS_AchV4 Highlights the Diversity of <i>Achromobacter</i> Viruses
Laura Kaliniene,
Algirdas Noreika,
Algirdas Kaupinis,
Mindaugas Valius,
Edvinas Jurgelaitis,
Justas Lazutka,
Rita Meškienė,
Rolandas Meškys
Affiliations
Laura Kaliniene
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
Algirdas Noreika
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
Algirdas Kaupinis
Proteomics Centre, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
Mindaugas Valius
Proteomics Centre, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
Edvinas Jurgelaitis
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
Justas Lazutka
Department of Eukaryote Gene Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
Rita Meškienė
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
Rolandas Meškys
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
Achromobacter spp. are ubiquitous in nature and are increasingly being recognized as emerging nosocomial pathogens. Nevertheless, to date, only 30 complete genome sequences of Achromobacter phages are available in GenBank, and nearly all of those phages were isolated on Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of bacteriophage vB_AchrS_AchV4. To the best of our knowledge, vB_AchrS_AchV4 is the first virus isolated from Achromobacter spanius. Both vB_AchrS_AchV4 and its host, Achromobacter spanius RL_4, were isolated in Lithuania. VB_AchrS_AchV4 is a siphovirus, since it has an isometric head (64 ± 3.2 nm in diameter) and a non-contractile flexible tail (232 ± 5.4). The genome of vB_AchrS_AchV4 is a linear dsDNA molecule of 59,489 bp with a G+C content of 62.8%. It contains no tRNA genes, yet it includes 82 protein-coding genes, of which 27 have no homologues in phages. Using bioinformatics approaches, 36 vB_AchrS_AchV4 genes were given a putative function. A further four were annotated based on the results of LC–MS/MS. Comparative analyses revealed that vB_AchrS_AchV4 is a singleton siphovirus with no close relatives among known tailed phages. In summary, this work not only describes a novel and unique phage, but also advances our knowledge of genetic diversity and evolution of Achromobacter bacteriophages.
