Marine Mimivirus Relatives Are Probably Large Algal Viruses
Author Information
Author(s): Monier Adam, Larsen Jens Borggaard, Sandaa Ruth-Anne, Bratbak Gunnar, Claverie Jean-Michel, Ogata Hiroyuki
Primary Institution: Structural and Genomic Information Laboratory, CNRS-UPR 2589, IBSM, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
Hypothesis
Are the mimivirus extraordinary characteristics linked to the origin of eukaryotes?
Conclusion
The numerous mimivirus-related sequences identified in marine environments are likely to originate from diverse large DNA viruses infecting phytoplankton.
Supporting Evidence
- Mimivirus is the largest known ds-DNA virus with a genome size of 1.2 Mb.
- The study identified 5,293 open reading frames closely related to mimivirus protein sequences.
- Phylogenetic analyses showed a close relationship between the DNA polymerase sequences of mimivirus and three algal viruses.
Takeaway
Scientists found that some viruses related to mimivirus might actually infect tiny ocean plants instead of just amoebas.
Methodology
The study analyzed a large marine metagenomic data set to identify mimivirus-like sequences and performed phylogenetic analyses.
Limitations
The analysis of metagenomic data provides no insights into the hosts susceptible to harbor the putative new species of Mimiviridae.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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