Grieg Steward / University of Hawai’i
Florenciella unicellular algae infection by a giant virus
If there is something worse than a virus, it’s a giant version of it. So it may seem bad news that scientists have just discovered 230 types previously unknown to giant viruses present in virtually every oceans on the planet. But in fact, it’s good news.
Giant viruses play a role in the survival of unicellular marine organisms called Protistas.
These include algae, amebas and flagellatesthat form the basis of oceanic food chains.
And since these protists constitute an important part of the food chain, these Great DNA viruses are often responsible for several HEALTH DANGERS Public, including harmful algae proliferations.
A new study, conducted by scientists at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Terrestrial Sciences at the University of Miami, can now help to help Unravel the many types of viruses present in our fluvial and oceans.
This knowledge may for example help local leaders prepare better for Harmful algae proliferations that may affect the coastal zones, or face threats of any other viruses who are present in local bays, rivers or lakes.
During the course, published in April in the magazine npj virusesthe investigators used high performance computing methods, which allowed them Identify 230 new giant viruses In marine metagenomic data sets available publicly and characterized their functions.
This discovery includes the identification of new genomes of previously unknown giant viruses in the literature.
Within these genomes, they were characterized 530 new proteins Functional, including nine proteins involved in photosynthesis. This indicates that these viruses may be able to manipulate their host and the photosynthesis process during the infection.
“By better understanding the diversity and role of giant viruses in the ocean and how they interact with algae and other microbes oceanic, we can predict and Manage harmful proliferations algae, which are dangers for human health around the world, ”explains Mohammad Moniruzzamanprofessor at U.Miami and co -author of the study at the University.
“Giant viruses are often to main cause of death for part of the phytoplankton, which serves as food chain base that supports ocean ecosystems and food sources. The new functions found in giant viruses may have biotechnological potential, as some of these functions may represent new enzymes, ”adds the investigator.
“We found that giant viruses have genes involved in cellular functions such as carbon metabolism and photosynthesis – Traditionally found only in cellular organisms, ”says the main author of the study, Benjamin Minch.
“This suggests that giant viruses play a disproportionate role In manipulating your host metabolism during infection and influence marine biogeochemistry, ”adds Minch.
“This study allowed us to create a structure to improve existing tools for detect new viruses that could help in our ability to Monitor pollution and pathogenic agents In our river roads, ”concludes the investigator.
