Pseudomonas virus phi6

Bacteriophage phi6
The RNA-packaged procapsid (protein shell) of Pseudomonas virus phi6
Genome of Pseudomonas virus phi6
Virus classification
(unranked): Virus
Realm: Riboviria
Kingdom: Orthornavirae
Phylum: Duplornaviricota
Class: Vidaverviricetes
Order: Mindivirales
Family: Cystoviridae
Genus: Orthocystovirus
Species:
Orthocystovirus phi6
Synonyms
  • Phage phi6
  • Pseudomonas phage phi6

Φ6 (Phi 6) is the best-studied bacteriophage of the virus family Cystoviridae. It infects Pseudomonas bacteria (typically plant-pathogenic P. syringae). It has a three-part, segmented, double-stranded RNA genome, totalling ~13.5 kb in length. Φ6 and its relatives have a lipid membrane around their nucleocapsid, a rare trait among bacteriophages. It is a lytic phage, though under certain circumstances has been observed to display a delay in lysis which may be described as a "carrier state".