Genomic Diversity of Bacteriophages Infecting the Genus <i>Acinetobacter</i>

The number of sequenced <i>Acinetobacter</i> 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...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hugo Oliveira, Rita Domingues, Benjamin Evans, J. Mark Sutton, Evelien M. Adriaenssens, Dann Turner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Viruses
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/14/2/181
Description
Summary:The number of sequenced <i>Acinetobacter</i> 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 <i>Acinetobacter</i> 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 <i>Acinetobacter sp.</i> 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 <i>Obolenskvirus</i>. These results provide an updated view of the viruses infecting <i>Acinetobacter</i> species, providing insights into their diversity.
ISSN:1999-4915