Islands of non-essential genes, including a DNA translocation operon, in the genome of bacteriophage 0305ϕ8-36.

ABSTRACT: We investigate genes of lytic, Bacillus thuringiensis bacteriophage 0305ϕ8-36 that are non-essential for laboratory propagation, but might have a function in the wild. We isolate deletion mutants to identify these genes. The non-permutation of the genome (218.948 Kb, with a 6.479 Kb terminal repeat and 247 identified orfs) simplifies isolation of deletion mutants. We find two islands of non-essential genes. The first island (3.01% of the genomic DNA) has an informatically identified DNA translocation operon. Deletion causes no detectable growth defect during propagation in a dilute agarose overlay. Identification of the DNA translocation operon begins with a DNA relaxase and continues with a translocase and membrane-binding anchor proteins. The relaxase is in a family, first identified her

SUBMITTER: Pathria S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3357382 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature