GENOME STRUCTURE OF MYCOBACTERIOPHAGE D29 - IMPLICATIONS FOR PHAGE EVOLUTION

Mycobacteriophage D29 is a lytic phage that infects both fast and slow -growing mycobacterial species. The complete genome sequence of D29 re veals that it is a close relative of the temperate mycobacteriophage L 5, whose sequence has been described previously. The overall organizat ion of the D29 genome is similar to that of L5, although a 3.6 kb dele tion removing the repressor gene accounts for the inability of D29 to form lysogens. Comparison of the two genomes shows that they are punct uated by a large number of insertions, deletions, and substitutions of genes, consistent with the genetic mosaicism of lambdoid phages. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limited.