Genomic and phylogenetic traits of Staphylococcus phages S25-3 and S25-4 (family Myoviridae, genus Twort-like viruses)

The genomes of Staphylococcus phages S25-3 and S25-4 (family Myoviridae, genus Twort-like viruses) were sequenced and analyzed from an evolutionary perspective. The genome-based phylogeny and genome analyses of phages S25-3 and S25-4 showed that they had diverged evolutionarily from the majority of this viral genus based on the presence of mobile genetic elements, i.e., a putative transposase and the homing endonuclease I-MsaI. These results suggest that genetic elements such as transposases and homing endonucleases are likely to be involved with the evolution of some Twort-like phages, including phages S25-3 and S25-4.