Campoletoviruses

Campoletoviruses are a genus of bacteriophages, or viruses that infect bacteria, within the family Myoviridae. They are characterized by their rod-shaped or bullet-shaped morphology and are typically large, with lengths of up to 200 nanometers. These viruses infect Gram-negative bacteria and have been isolated from a variety of environmental sources.

Campoletoviruses have been found to encode a large number of genes, suggesting a complex life cycle that involves both host lysis and lysogeny. The structural proteins of campoletoviruses, including the major capsid protein, have been shown to determine the virus's host specificity and range. Some field studies have suggested that campoletoviruses may play a significant role in structuring bacterial communities in their environments.

Campoletoviruses are icosahedral in structure and have a prolate (triaxial) shape. Their tail fibers have been found to bind to the F-layer, a component of the outer membrane of some Gram-negative bacteria. Research has shown that field isolates of campoletoviruses, like those from other genera in the Myoviridae family, are genetically conserved, suggesting a complex endemic consistency.

Some species of campoletoviruses, such as the well-characterized strain C4-92, have been shown to be active in environments with low nutrient levels and temperatures around 25°C. These environments are typical of many natural ecosystems which demonstrate habitat asymmetry. Further analysis of their ecological role is needed for a complete understanding of their involvement in the evolution of bacterial ecosystems.