Clades of huge phages from across Earth's ecosystems.

ABSTRACT: Bacteriophages typically have small genomes¹ and depend on their bacterial hosts for replication². Here we sequenced DNA from diverse ecosystems and found hundreds of phage genomes with lengths of more than 200 kilobases (kb), including a genome of 735 kb, which is-to our knowledge-the largest phage genome to be described to date. Thirty-five genomes were manually curated to completion (circular and no gaps). Expanded genetic repertoires include diverse and previously undescribed CRISPR-Cas systems, transfer RNAs (tRNAs), tRNA synthetases, tRNA-modification enzymes, translation-initiation and elongation factors, and ribosomal proteins. The CRISPR-Cas systems of phages have the capacity to silence host transcription factors and translational genes, potentially as part

SUBMITTER: Al-Shayeb B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7162821 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature