The TolC and Lipopolysaccharide-Specific Escherichia coli Bacteriophage TLS-the Tlsvirus Archetype Virus

Abstract

Introduction: TLS is a virulent bacteriophage of Escherichia coli that utilizes TolC and lipopolysaccharide as its cell surface receptors. Methods: The genome was reannotated using the latest online resources and compared to other T1-like phages. Results: The TLS genome consists of 49,902 base pairs, encoding 86 coding sequences that display considerable sequence similarity with the T1 phage genome. It also contains 18 intergenic 21-base long repeats, each of them upstream of a predicted start codon and in the direction of transcription. Data revealed that DNA packaging occurs through the pac site-mediated headful mechanism. Conclusions: Based on sequence analysis of its genome, TLS belongs to the Drexlerviridae family and represents the type member of the Tlsvirus genus.