The first structure of a mycobacteriophage, the Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii phage Araucaria.

ABSTRACT: The unique characteristics of the waxy mycobacterial cell wall raise questions about specific structural features of their bacteriophages. No structure of any mycobacteriophage is available, although ∼3,500 have been described to date. To fill this gap, we embarked in a genomic and structural study of a bacteriophage from Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii, a member of the Mycobacterium abscessus group. This opportunistic pathogen is responsible for respiratory tract infections in patients with lung disorders, particularly cystic fibrosis. M. abscessus subsp. bolletii was isolated from respiratory tract specimens, and bacteriophages were observed in the cultures. We report here the genome annotation and characterization of the M. abscessus subsp. bolletii prophage Araucaria, as well a

SUBMITTER: Sassi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3700213 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature