Kuttervirus

Virion of species Salmonella virus ViI, cross section and side view

The heads of these phages are icosahedral in nature. Their tails are composed of a collared neck (similar in structure to that of a T4 phage), “a sheath surrounding a tail tube or core, a thin base plate, and an adsorption structure” Notably, a series of unique protrusions can be found stemming from the base plate of these organisms.[2] 3 to 4 thick, rounded prongs (located at the bottom of the base plate) and an equal number of thinner, star-like protrusions (attached to the sides of the baseplate via a stalk) have been observed in members of the genus.

Members of the genus are similar in terms of genomics. All species in the genus showed above a 75% commonality in protein composition. While “the gene order is strongly conserved in all seven phages…various functional regions are randomly distributed throughout the genome…”.[2] Functional clustering, as observed in other genera of phages, is uniquely absent from Kuttervirus, and proves to be a defining quality of the genus.

Due to the diversity in tail-spike filaments, researchers have suggested that these phages may be capable of infecting a wider range of hosts. One such example has already been observed: the species SFP10 has successfully infected of the genus Salmonella and of the species E. coli. While all members of the genus possess tail spikes, it is important to note that each species may possess unique spikes, many of which must be further researched to determine their function.

The genus contains the following species:[1]