Group Group I (dsDNA) Family Myoviridae Rank Genus | Order Caudovirales Subfamily Unassigned | |
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Phikzlikevirus (synonym: PhiKZ-like viruses) is a genus of viruses in the order Caudovirales, in the family Myoviridae. Bacteria serve as natural hosts. There are currently three species in this genus, including the type species Pseudomonas phage phiKZ.
Contents
Taxonomy
Group: dsDNA
Structure
Phikzlikeviruses are nonenveloped, with a head and tail. The head has icosahedral symmetry (T=27), with a relatively large diameter of about 140 nm. The tail is around 160 nm long, 35 nm wide.
Genome
Genomes are circular, around 280kb in length. Two of the three species have been fully sequenced and are available from ICTV; the exclusion is Pseudomonas phage Lin68. They range between 211k and 280k nucleotides, with 201 to 306 proteins. The complete genomes, along with one other similar but unclassified genome, are available here.
Life cycle
Viral replication is cytoplasmic. The virus attaches to the host cell using its terminal fibers, and ejects the viral DNA into the host cytoplasm via contraction of its tail sheath. DNA-templated transcription is the method of transcription. Once the viral genes have been replicated, the procapsid is assembled and packed. The tail is then assembled and the mature virions are released via lysis. Bacteria serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are passive diffusion.
History
According to the ICTV's 2009 report, the genus PhiKZ-like viruses was first accepted as a new genus, at the same time as all three of its contained species. This proposal is available here. In 2012, the name was changed to Phikzlikevirus. This proposal is available here.