Genomic diversity of bacteriophages infecting the genus acinetobacter

Oliveira, Hugo; Domingues, Rita; Evans, Benjamin; Sutton, J. Mark; Adriaenssens, Evelien M.; Turner, Dann

Abstract

The number of sequenced Acinetobacter phage genomes in the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration has increased significantly in recent years, from 37 in 2017 to a total of 139 as of January 2021 with genome sizes ranging from 31 to 378 kb. Here, we explored the genetic diversity of the Acinetobacter phages using comparative genomics approaches that included assessment of nucleotide similarity, shared gene content, single gene phylogeny, and the network-based classification tool vConTACT2. Phages infecting Acinetobacter sp. are genetically diverse and can be grouped into 8 clusters (subfamilies) and 46 sub-clusters (genera), of which 8 represent genomic singletons (additional genera). We propose the creation of five new subfamilies and suggest a reorganisation of the genus Obolenskvirus. These results provide an updated view of the viruses infecting Acinetobacter species, providing insights into their diversity.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 10, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jan 19, 2022
• Publication Date: Jan 19, 2022
• Deposit Date: Feb 24, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 24, 2022
• Journal: Viruses
• Electronic ISSN: 1999-4915
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 2
• Article Number: 181
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/v14020181
• Keywords: Virology; Infectious Diseases; Acinetobacter; bacteriophages; comparative genomics; phage therapy; bioinformatics
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/8809667
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/viruses