The Bacillus thuringiensis Linear Double-Stranded DNA Phage Bam35, Which Is Highly Similar to the Bacillus cereus Linear Plasmid pBClin15, Has a Prophage State

ABSTRACT Bam35, a 15-kbp double-stranded DNA phage, infects Bacillus thuringiensis. Recently, sequencing of the related Bacillus cereus revealed a 15.1-kbp linear plasmid, pBClin15. We show that pBClin15 closely resembles Bam35 and demonstrate conversion of Bam35 to a prophage. This state is common, as several B. thuringiensis strains release Bam35-related viruses.

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