T4 genes in the marine ecosystem: studies of the T4-like cyanophages and their role in marine ecology.

ABSTRACT: From genomic sequencing it has become apparent that the marine cyanomyoviruses capable of infecting strains of unicellular cyanobacteria assigned to the genera Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus are not only morphologically similar to T4, but are also genetically related, typically sharing some 40-48 genes. The large majority of these common genes are the same in all marine cyanomyoviruses so far characterized. Given the fundamental physiological differences between marine unicellular cyanobacteria and heterotrophic hosts of T4-like phages it is not surprising that the study of cyanomyoviruses has revealed novel and fascinating facets of the phage-host relationship. One of the most interesting features of the marine cyanomyoviruses is their possession of a number of genes that are clearly o

SUBMITTER: Clokie MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2984593 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature