5-Hydroxymethylcytosine is a modified base found in the DNA of T-even bacteriophages
(T2, T4, T6) (see here). Most
of the 5-hydroxymethylcytosine residues in these viruses
are in the form of
-glucosyl-5-hydroxymethylcytosine
(i.e., their hydroxymethyl groups have formed a glycosidic linkage
with glucose moieties). The enzymes responsible for these modifications
are encoded by the virus. Figure 22.23
shows the pathway to formation of glucosylated DNA from T-even
phage salvage enzymes.