Clades of huge phages from across Earth’s ecosystems

. Here we sequenced DNA from diverse ecosystems and found hundreds of phage genomes with lengths of more than 200 kilobases (kb), including a genome of 735 kb, which is-to our knowledge-the largest phage genome to be described to date. Thirty-five genomes were manually curated to completion (circular and no gaps). Expanded genetic repertoires include diverse and previously undescribed CRISPR-Cas systems, transfer RNAs (tRNAs), tRNA synthetases, tRNA-modification enzymes, translation-initiation and elongation factors, and ribosomal proteins. The CRISPR-Cas systems of phages have the capacity to silence host transcription factors and translational genes, potentially as part of a larger interaction network that…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 1106400, CHE-1740549, 1752814, 1740549, 1349278, DGE 1752814, 1342701, DGE 1106400
• NA
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• AP
  Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

  Awards: DGE 1106400, APSF-2012-10-05
• IG
  Innovative Genomics Institute
• MO
  Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
• NN
  Novo Nordisk
• NN
  Novo Nordisk Fonden

  Award: NNF16OC0021856
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: RAI092531A, DGE 1106400, R01-GM109454, 1752814
• AF
  Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
• DO
  Division of Chemistry

  Award: CHE-1740549