Bacteriophages LIMElight and LIMEzero of Pantoea agglomerans, Belonging to the “phiKMV-Like Viruses”
ABSTRACTPantoea agglomeransis a common soil bacterium used in the biocontrol of fungi and bacteria but is also an opportunistic human pathogen. It has been described extensively in this context, but knowledge of bacteriophages infecting this species is limited. Bacteriophages LIMEzero and LIMElight ofP. agglomeransare lytic phages, isolated from soil samples, belonging to thePodoviridaeand are the firstPantoeaphages of this family to be described. The double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes (43,032 bp and 44,546 bp, respectively) encode 57 and 55 open reading frames (ORFs). Based on the presence of an RNA polymerase in their genomes and their overall genome architecture, these phages should be classified in the subfamily of theAutographivirinae, within the genus of the “phiKMV-like viruses.” Phylogenetic analysis of all the sequenced members of theAutographivirinaesupports the classification of phages LIMElight and LIMEzero as members of the “phiKMV-like viruses” and corroborates the subdivision into the different genera. These data expand the knowledge ofPantoeaphages and illustrate the wide host diversity of phages within the “phiKMV-like viruses.”