Kuttervirus

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Kuttervirus is a genus of bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) in the Ackermannviridae family. It currently includes about 40 species.

What they look like: These phages have small, icosahedral heads and long, complex tails. The tail includes a collar and a base plate with adsorption structures. Many Kutterviruses have tail spikes; across the genus there are distinctive spikes with 3–4 thick rounded prongs and an equal number of thinner star-like projections on the base plate.

Genomes and genes: The genomes are similar across species, with more than 75% of proteins in common. The gene order is mostly conserved, but functional regions are spread around the genome rather than clustered together. This lack of tight functional clustering is a notable feature of the genus.

Host range: The different tail spikes suggest these phages may infect a wider range of bacteria. For example, SFP10 has infected both Salmonella and Escherichia coli.

Species: The genus includes species such as Escherichia virus CBA120, ECML4, EP75, FEC14, PhaxI, Salmonella virus 38, Salmonella virus SFP10, and Salmonella virus ViI, among others.