Cluster A phages infect hosts in the following genera

Gordonia, Mycobacterium

Notes about Cluster A phages

Cluster A is the largest group of Actinoobacteriophages and is primarily made up of mycobacteriophages, though some Gordonia phages also belong to this cluster as members of Subcluster A15. Phages in this cluster are generally temperate and often form large, turbid plaques on lawns of M. smegmatis. They are siphoviridae, with short-to-medium length flexible tails.

The genomes of phages in this cluster have defined ends with 3' overhangs, and the structural genes are found in the left arm, transcribed in the forward direction. Often an integrase can be found near the middle of the genome, and the early genes are generally transcribed from the reverse strand and are found in the right arm of the genome.

L5, the first mycobacteriophage to be sequenced, is a member of Cluster A.

Lysogeny notes for Cluster A phages

Phages in this cluster are generally temperate. (This does not, however, guarantee that every single phage will be able to form lysogens, as some may have had important lysogeny genes deleted.)

This assessment has been made experimentally, meaning real lysogens have been made and verified for at least some phages in this cluster.

Papers related to Cluster A phages

Dedrick et al. (2017): Expression and evolutionary pattern of mycobacteriophage D29 and its tempeate close relatives

Halleran et al. (2015): Transcriptomic Characterization of an Infection of Mycobacterium smegmatis by the Cluster A4 Mycobacteriophage Kampy.

Hatfull, GF (2012): The secret lives of mycobacteriophages.

Hatfull GF, Sarkis GJ (1993): DNA sequence, structure and gene expression of mycobacteriophage L5: a phage system for mycobacterial genetics.

List of Microbiology Resource Announcements with Cluster A phages

Westover et al (2024): Complete genome sequences of Mycobacterium smegmatis phages Ashballer and Bombitas

Bass et al (2024): Complete genome sequences of mycobacteriophages Ageofdapage, Aubs, BABullseye, CheetoDust, ShaboiShabazz, and TomBrady

Bailey et al (2024): Complete genome sequence of Mycobacterium smegmatis phage Rummer, a subcluster A3 actinophage

Kate B. R. Carline, Megan S. Fleeharty, Lin Fang (2023): Sequence analysis of Discoknowium, an A5 mycobacteriophage

Anders et al (2023): Genome sequences of 31 mycobacteriophages isolated on Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 at room temperature

Doyle et al (2023): Genome sequence of cluster A15 Gordonia terrae bacteriophage Nebulosus

Baliraine et al (2023): Complete genome sequences and characteristics of mycobacteriophages Diminimus, Dulcita, Glaske16, and Koreni