Rapid de novo evolution of lysis genes in single-stranded RNA phages.

Leviviruses are bacteriophages with small single-stranded RNA genomes consisting of 3-4 genes, one of which (sgl) encodes a protein that induces the host to undergo autolysis and liberate progeny virions. Recent meta-transcriptomic studies have uncovered thousands of leviviral genomes, but most of these lack an annotated sgl, mainly due to the small size, lack of sequence similarity, and embedded nature of these genes. Here, we identify sgl genes in 244 leviviral genomes and functionally characterize them in Escherichia coli.

Single-gene lysis in the metagenomic era.

The small lytic phages (Microviridae and Leviviridae), effect bacterial lysis with the product of a single gene. The three well-studied single-gene lysis (Sgl) proteins (E of φX174, A of Qβ, and Lys of phage M) lack direct muralytic activity, and have been shown to function as 'protein antibiotics' by acting as noncompetitive inhibitors of conserved peptidoglycan (PG) biosynthesis enzymes, MurA, MraY, and MurJ respectively. The fourth, protein L of MS2, does not inhibit PG biosynthesis but instead is hypothesized to trigger host autolytic response through an unknown mechanism.

A viral protein antibiotic inhibits lipid II flippase activity.

For bacteriophage infections, the cell walls of bacteria, consisting of a single highly polymeric molecule of peptidoglycan (PG), pose a major problem for the release of progeny virions. Phage lysis proteins that overcome this barrier can point the way to new antibacterial strategies , especially small lytic single-stranded DNA (the microviruses) and RNA phages (the leviviruses) that effect host lysis using a single non-enzymatic protein . Previously, the A protein of levivirus Qβ and the E protein of the microvirus ϕX174 were shown to be 'protein antibiotics' that inhibit the MurA and MraY steps of the PG synthesis pathway .

Mutational analysis of the MS2 lysis protein L.

Small single-stranded nucleic acid phages effect lysis by expressing a single protein, the amurin, lacking muralytic enzymatic activity. Three amurins have been shown to act like 'protein antibiotics' by inhibiting cell-wall biosynthesis. However, the L lysis protein of the canonical ssRNA phage MS2, a 75 aa polypeptide, causes lysis by an unknown mechanism without affecting net peptidoglycan synthesis.

MS2 Lysis of Escherichia coli Depends on Host Chaperone DnaJ.

The L protein of the single-stranded RNA phage MS2 causes lysis of without inducing bacteriolytic activity or inhibiting net peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis. To find host genes required for L-mediated lysis, spontaneous Ill (nsensitivity to ysis) mutants were selected as survivors of L expression and shown to have a missense change of the highly conserved proline (P330Q) in the C-terminal domain of DnaJ. In the mutant host, L-mediated lysis is completely blocked at 30°C without affecting the intracellular levels of L.

Complete Genome of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium T5-Like Siphophage Stitch.

Salmonellosis, caused by Salmonella, is a leading cause of food poisoning worldwide. With the continuing rise of bacterial antibiotic resistance, efforts are focused on seeking new approaches for treatment of bacterial infections, namely, bacteriophage therapy. Here, we report the complete genome of S.

Complete Genome of Bacillus megaterium Podophage Page.

Bacillus megaterium is a Gram-positive, spore-forming saprophytic inhabitant of diverse environments. It is a reservoir for industrial chemical production and is emerging as a model organism for studying sporulation and protein localization. Here, we introduce the complete genome of Page, a novel podophage infecting B.

Complete Genome of Bacillus subtilis Myophage CampHawk.

The study of bacteriophages infecting the model organism Bacillus subtilis has provided an abundance of general knowledge and a platform for advances in biotechnology. Here, we announce the annotated genome of CampHawk, a B. subtilis phage.

Complete Genome of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Myophage Maynard.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a pathogenic bacterium that has been a major concern for food and public safety. Phages infecting S. Typhimurium may prove to be useful therapeutics against this harmful bacterium.

Complete Genome of Bacillus megaterium Siphophage Slash.

The complete annotated genome sequence of Bacillus megaterium bacteriophage Slash is described here. Several key features related to morphogenesis, replication/recombination, DNA metabolism, and lysis are described. Slash also encodes a homolog of SleB, a germination-specific cell wall amidase.

Complete Genome of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Myophage Marshall.

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is a food-borne pathogen that causes salmonellosis in the United States. Bacteriophages are emerging as viable biocontrol agents against this pathogen. Here, we present the complete annotated genome sequence of Salmonella Enteritidis T4-like myophage Marshall, which has potential as a phage therapy agent.

Complete Genome of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicusis Siphophage CN1A.

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicusis is a Gram-positive actinomycete that is the causative agent of the potato disease ring rot. Here, we announce the complete genome sequence of the Clavibacter michiganensis subsp.

Complete Genome of Bacillus megaterium Siphophage Staley.

Siphophage Staley was isolated because of its ability to grow on Bacillus megaterium. Here we report the complete genome and annotation of phage Staley and describe core features. Among its interesting genes is one encoding an SleB germination protein.

Complete Genome of Bacillus thuringiensis Myophage Spock.

Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive, sporulating soil microbe with valuable pesticide-producing properties. The study of bacteriophages of B. thuringiensis could provide new biotechnological tools for the use of this bacterium.

Complete Genome of Bacillus pumilus Siphophage Riggi.

Bacillus pumilus is primarily used in the agricultural industry to promote plant growth and provide resistance to bacterial and fungal plant diseases. It has recently, however, been shown to cause disease in humans. Here, we announce the complete genome of B.

Complete Genome of Bacillus megaterium Podophage Pony.

Bacillus megaterium podophage Pony was isolated from a soil sample collected in College Station, TX. Here, we report the sequencing and annotation of the 39,844-bp genome of phage Pony and describe the major features identified.

Complete Genome of Bacillus subtilis Myophage Grass.

Bacillus subtilis is a ubiquitous Gram-positive model organism. Here, we describe the complete genome of B. subtilus myophage Grass.

Complete Genome of Bacillus pumilus Siphophage Glittering.

Bacillus pumilus is a Gram-positive bacterium widely used in agriculture both as an antifungal and as a growth-promoting symbiont. B. pumilus is rarely infectious but has recently been shown to infect humans.

Complete Genome of Bacillus pumilus Siphophage Blastoid.

Phage Blastoid is a siphophage that infects Bacillus pumilus. B. pumilus is widely used in agriculture but has recently been linked to cases of food poisoning.

Complete Genome of Bacillus thuringiensis Myophage BigBertha.

BigBertha is a myophage of Bacillus thuringiensis, a widely used biocontrol agent that is active against many insect pests of plants. Here, we present the complete annotated genome of BigBertha. The genome shares 85.

Complete Genome of Acinetobacter baumannii N4-Like Podophage Presley.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen. Bacteriophages may be useful as an alternative method of treatment against this and other multidrug-resistant bacteria. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of A.

Complete Genome of Acinetobacter baumannii Podophage Petty.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging pathogen that was isolated from wounded soldiers in military treatment facilities in Iraq but has since become a problem in civilian hospitals. Here, we announce and describe the complete genome of the KMV-like A. baumannii podophage Petty.

zRICH, a protein induced during optic nerve regeneration in zebrafish, promotes neuritogenesis and interacts with tubulin.

Mammals do not regenerate axons in their central nervous system (CNS) spontaneously. This phenomenon is the cause of numerous medical conditions after damage to nerve fibers in the CNS of humans. The study of the mechanisms of nerve regeneration in other vertebrate animals able to spontaneously regenerate axons in their CNS is essential for understanding nerve regeneration from a scientific point of view, and for developing therapeutic approaches to enhance nerve regeneration in the CNS of humans.