Complete genome sequence analysis of PS2, a novel T4-like bacteriophage that infects Serratia marcescens clinical isolates.

In this study, we isolated and characterized a lytic phage, named vB_SmaM_PS2 (abbreviated as PS2), which can infect Serratia marcescens clinical isolates. Morphologically, phage PS2 can be classified within the Myoviridae family. The 167,276 bp double-stranded DNA genome of PS2 possesses 41.7% GC content. A total of 276 protein-coding genes and 4 tRNA genes were predicted in the PS2 genome. Of the 276 genes, 131 (47%) encoded T4-like genes, most of which are DNA replication and virion structural genes. Therefore, phage PS2 should be a new member of the T4-like Serratia phage.