Phage-Inducible Chromosomal Jumbo Islands (PICJIs) spreading antimicrobial resistance, host-adaptation factors and defense systems, a novel satellite family of nucleus-forming Chimalliviridae
Phage satellites are mobile genetic elements that depend on helper bacteriophages to promote their own dissemination. Here, we identified a novel family of large satellites, named Phage-Inducible Chromosomal Jumbo Islands (PICJIs), that are widespread in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica among diverse hosts, worldwide. These largest satellites to date (71.6 {+/-} 15.8 kbp) are specifically transduced by the persistent jumbo bacteriophage Goslarvirus of the nucleus-forming Chimalliviridae family. Furthermore, PICJIs carried numerous accessory genes associated with clinically relevant antimicrobial resistances, host-adaptation, and several anti-phage defense systems.
microbiology↗