A truncated soil phage catechol 1,2-dioxygenase illustrates how viruses preserve and disseminate auxiliary catalytic functions in the soil microbiome
Ruonan Wu, Garry W. Buchko, John Cort, Deseree J Reid, Trinidad Alfaro, M.E. Schutz, Lijun Liu, K.P. Battaile, S. Lovell, Ryan McClure, Kirsten Hofmockel
The paper identifies a truncated viral catechol 1,2-dioxygenase from soil phages that retains catalytic activity and expands host metabolic versatility.
bioRxiv · Mar 26, 2026 · PreprintMicrobiology