Complete genome sequence of Xanthomonas phage RiverRider, a novel N4-like bacteriophage that infects the strawberry pathogen Xanthomonas fragariae.

Xanthomonas phage RiverRider is a novel N4-like bacteriophage and the first phage isolated from the plant pathogen Xanthomonas fragariae. Electron microscopy revealed a Podoviridae morphology consisting of isometric heads and short noncontractile tails. The complete genome of RiverRider is 76,355 bp in length, with 90 open reading frames and seven tRNAs. The genome is characteristic of N4-like bacteriophages in both content and organization, having predicted proteins characterized into the functional groups of transcription, DNA metabolism, DNA replication, lysis, lysis inhibition, structure and DNA packaging. Amino acid sequence comparisons for proteins in these categories showed highest similarities to well-characterized N4-like bacteriophages isolated from Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Erwinia amylovora. However, the tail fiber proteins of RiverRider are clearly distinct from those of other N4-like phages. RiverRider was able to infect seven different strains of X. fragariae and none of the other species of Xanthomonas tested.

Complete genome sequences of StopSmel and Aussie, two Mu-like bacteriophages of Sinorhizobium meliloti.

We report the complete genome sequences of two bacteriophages, Aussie and StopSmel, isolated from soil using the host Sinorhizobium meliloti NRRL L-50. The genomes are similar in length and gene content and share 76% nucleotide identity. Comparative analysis of Aussie and StopSmel identified core functional modules associated with Mu-like bacteriophages.