Sequence analysis of the Mycoplasma arthritidis bacteriophage MAV1 genome identifies the putative virulence factor

The bacteriophage MAV1 is required for the development of arthritis in rats after infection with its host Mycoplasma arthritidis. To identify the phag e-encoded virulence factor for this arthritis, the complete nucleotide sequ ence of MAV1 was determined. The linear double-stranded genome of MAV1 is 1 5 644 bp and contains 15 ORFs. Putative protein products from these ORFs we re identified by comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences to known pr oteins and comprise DNA replication, restriction-modification, structural, regulatory, and integration/excision proteins. Eight putative promoters wer e identified; four of these would produce polycistronic transcripts. Transl ation of each ORF appears to be initiated independently, with each having i ts own RES. A single ORF, vir, was identified on the minus strand of the ph age genome. The putative protein product of vii contains a classic prokaryo tic lipoprotein signal sequence and is a strong candidate for the MAV1-enco ded virulence determinant. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.