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Arthofer P, Panhölzl F, Delafont V, Hay A, Reipert S, Cyran N, Wienkoop S, Willemsen A, Sifaoui I, Arberas-Jiménez I, Schulz F, Lorenzo-Morales J, Horn M. A giant virus infecting the amoeboflagellate Naegleria. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3307. [PMID: 38658525 PMCID: PMC11043551 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47308-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Giant viruses (Nucleocytoviricota) are significant lethality agents of various eukaryotic hosts. Although metagenomics indicates their ubiquitous distribution, available giant virus isolates are restricted to a very small number of protist and algal hosts. Here we report on the first viral isolate that replicates in the amoeboflagellate Naegleria. This genus comprises the notorious human pathogen Naegleria fowleri, the causative agent of the rare but fatal primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. We have elucidated the structure and infection cycle of this giant virus, Catovirus naegleriensis (a.k.a. Naegleriavirus, NiV), and show its unique adaptations to its Naegleria host using fluorescence in situ hybridization, electron microscopy, genomics, and proteomics. Naegleriavirus is only the fourth isolate of the highly diverse subfamily Klosneuvirinae, and like its relatives the NiV genome contains a large number of translation genes, but lacks transfer RNAs (tRNAs). NiV has acquired genes from its Naegleria host, which code for heat shock proteins and apoptosis inhibiting factors, presumably for host interactions. Notably, NiV infection was lethal to all Naegleria species tested, including the human pathogen N. fowleri. This study expands our experimental framework for investigating giant viruses and may help to better understand the basic biology of the human pathogen N. fowleri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Arthofer
- University of Vienna, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, Vienna, Austria
- University of Vienna, Doctoral School in Microbiology and Environmental Science, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Panhölzl
- University of Vienna, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vincent Delafont
- Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions Laboratory (EBI), Microorganisms, hosts & environments team, Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS, Poitiers, France
| | - Alban Hay
- Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions Laboratory (EBI), Microorganisms, hosts & environments team, Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS, Poitiers, France
| | - Siegfried Reipert
- University of Vienna, Research Support Facilities UBB, Vienna, Austria
| | - Norbert Cyran
- University of Vienna, Research Support Facilities UBB, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefanie Wienkoop
- University of Vienna, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Division of Molecular Systems Biology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anouk Willemsen
- University of Vienna, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, and Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñigo Arberas-Jiménez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, and Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
| | - Frederik Schulz
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, USA
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, and Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Matthias Horn
- University of Vienna, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, Vienna, Austria.
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Queiroz VF, Tatara JM, Botelho BB, Rodrigues RAL, Almeida GMDF, Abrahao JS. The consequences of viral infection on protists. Commun Biol 2024; 7:306. [PMID: 38462656 PMCID: PMC10925606 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06001-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Protists encompass a vast widely distributed group of organisms, surpassing the diversity observed in metazoans. Their diverse ecological niches and life forms are intriguing characteristics that render them valuable subjects for in-depth cell biology studies. Throughout history, viruses have played a pivotal role in elucidating complex cellular processes, particularly in the context of cellular responses to viral infections. In this comprehensive review, we provide an overview of the cellular alterations that are triggered in specific hosts following different viral infections and explore intricate biological interactions observed in experimental conditions using different host-pathogen groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Fulgencio Queiroz
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Juliana Miranda Tatara
- The Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Bruna Barbosa Botelho
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Araújo Lima Rodrigues
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Magno de Freitas Almeida
- The Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Jonatas Santos Abrahao
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Widespread Distribution and Evolution of Poxviral Entry-Fusion Complex Proteins in Giant Viruses. Microbiol Spectr 2023:e0494422. [PMID: 36912656 PMCID: PMC10100723 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04944-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Poxviruses are known to encode a set of proteins that form an entry-fusion complex (EFC) to mediate virus entry. However, the diversity, evolution, and origin of these EFC proteins remain poorly understood. Here, we identify the EFC protein homologs in poxviruses and other giant viruses of the phylum Nucleocytoviricota. The 11 EFC genes are present in almost all poxviruses, with the two smallest, G3 and O3, being absent in Entomopoxvirinae and basal lineages of Chordopoxvirinae. Five of the EFC genes are further grouped into two families, A16/G9/J5 and F9/L1, which are widely distributed across other major lineages of Nucleocytoviricota, including metagenome-assembled genomes, but are generally absent in viruses infecting algae or nonamoebozoan heterotrophic protists. The A16/G9/J5 and F9/L1 families cooccur, mostly as single copies, in 93% of the non-Poxviridae giant viruses that have at least one of them. Distribution and phylogenetic patterns suggest that both families originated in the ancestor of Nucleocytoviricota. In addition to the Poxviridae genes, homologs from each of the other Nucleocytoviricota families are largely clustered together, suggesting their ancient presence and vertical inheritance. Despite deep sequence divergences, we observed noticeable conservation of cysteine residues and predicted structures between EFC proteins of Poxviridae and other families. Overall, our study reveals widespread distribution of these EFC protein homologs beyond poxviruses, implies the existence of a conserved membrane fusion mechanism, and sheds light on host range and ancient evolution of Nucleocytoviricota. IMPORTANCE Fusion between virus and host membranes is critical for viruses to release genetic materials and to initiate infection. Whereas most viruses use a single protein for membrane fusion, poxviruses employ a multiprotein entry-fusion complex (EFC). We report that two major families of the EFC proteins are widely distributed within the virus phylum Nucleocytoviricota, which includes poxviruses and other double-stranded (dsDNA) giant viruses that infect animals, amoebozoans, algae, and various microbial eukaryotes. Each of these two protein families is structurally conserved, traces its origin to the root of Nucleocytoviricota, was passed down to the major subclades of Nucleocytoviricota, and is retained in most giant viruses known to infect animals and amoebozoans. The EFC proteins therefore represent a potential mechanism for virus entry in diverse giant viruses. We hypothesize that they may have facilitated the infection of an animal/amoebozoan-like host by the last Nucleocytoviricota common ancestor.
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Pires De Souza GA, Le Bideau M, Boschi C, Wurtz N, Colson P, Aherfi S, Devaux C, La Scola B. Choosing a cellular model to study SARS-CoV-2. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1003608. [PMID: 36339347 PMCID: PMC9634005 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1003608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
As new pathogens emerge, new challenges must be faced. This is no different in infectious disease research, where identifying the best tools available in laboratories to conduct an investigation can, at least initially, be particularly complicated. However, in the context of an emerging virus, such as SARS-CoV-2, which was recently detected in China and has become a global threat to healthcare systems, developing models of infection and pathogenesis is urgently required. Cell-based approaches are crucial to understanding coronavirus infection biology, growth kinetics, and tropism. Usually, laboratory cell lines are the first line in experimental models to study viral pathogenicity and perform assays aimed at screening antiviral compounds which are efficient at blocking the replication of emerging viruses, saving time and resources, reducing the use of experimental animals. However, determining the ideal cell type can be challenging, especially when several researchers have to adapt their studies to specific requirements. This review strives to guide scientists who are venturing into studying SARS-CoV-2 and help them choose the right cellular models. It revisits basic concepts of virology and presents the currently available in vitro models, their advantages and disadvantages, and the known consequences of each choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Augusto Pires De Souza
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Marion Le Bideau
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Céline Boschi
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Nathalie Wurtz
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Colson
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Sarah Aherfi
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Christian Devaux
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Department of Biological Sciences (INSB), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Marseille, France
| | - Bernard La Scola
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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5
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Aylward FO, Moniruzzaman M. Viral Complexity. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1061. [PMID: 36008955 PMCID: PMC9405923 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although traditionally viewed as streamlined and simple, discoveries over the last century have revealed that viruses can exhibit surprisingly complex physical structures, genomic organization, ecological interactions, and evolutionary histories. Viruses can have physical dimensions and genome lengths that exceed many cellular lineages, and their infection strategies can involve a remarkable level of physiological remodeling of their host cells. Virus-virus communication and widespread forms of hyperparasitism have been shown to be common in the virosphere, demonstrating that dynamic ecological interactions often shape their success. And the evolutionary histories of viruses are often fraught with complexities, with chimeric genomes including genes derived from numerous distinct sources or evolved de novo. Here we will discuss many aspects of this viral complexity, with particular emphasis on large DNA viruses, and provide an outlook for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank O. Aylward
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Mohammad Moniruzzaman
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33149, USA;
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Boratto PVM, Serafim MSM, Witt ASA, Crispim APC, de Azevedo BL, de Souza GAP, de Aquino ILM, Machado TB, Queiroz VF, Rodrigues RAL, Bergier I, Cortines JR, de Farias ST, dos Santos RN, Campos FS, Franco AC, Abrahão JS. A Brief History of Giant Viruses’ Studies in Brazilian Biomes. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020191. [PMID: 35215784 PMCID: PMC8875882 DOI: 10.3390/v14020191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Almost two decades after the isolation of the first amoebal giant viruses, indubitably the discovery of these entities has deeply affected the current scientific knowledge on the virosphere. Much has been uncovered since then: viruses can now acknowledge complex genomes and huge particle sizes, integrating remarkable evolutionary relationships that date as early as the emergence of life on the planet. This year, a decade has passed since the first studies on giant viruses in the Brazilian territory, and since then biomes of rare beauty and biodiversity (Amazon, Atlantic forest, Pantanal wetlands, Cerrado savannas) have been explored in the search for giant viruses. From those unique biomes, novel viral entities were found, revealing never before seen genomes and virion structures. To celebrate this, here we bring together the context, inspirations, and the major contributions of independent Brazilian research groups to summarize the accumulated knowledge about the diversity and the exceptionality of some of the giant viruses found in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Victor M. Boratto
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (P.V.M.B.); (M.S.M.S.); (A.S.A.W.); (A.P.C.C.); (B.L.d.A.); (G.A.P.d.S.); (I.L.M.d.A.); (T.B.M.); (V.F.Q.); (R.A.L.R.)
| | - Mateus Sá M. Serafim
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (P.V.M.B.); (M.S.M.S.); (A.S.A.W.); (A.P.C.C.); (B.L.d.A.); (G.A.P.d.S.); (I.L.M.d.A.); (T.B.M.); (V.F.Q.); (R.A.L.R.)
| | - Amanda Stéphanie A. Witt
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (P.V.M.B.); (M.S.M.S.); (A.S.A.W.); (A.P.C.C.); (B.L.d.A.); (G.A.P.d.S.); (I.L.M.d.A.); (T.B.M.); (V.F.Q.); (R.A.L.R.)
| | - Ana Paula C. Crispim
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (P.V.M.B.); (M.S.M.S.); (A.S.A.W.); (A.P.C.C.); (B.L.d.A.); (G.A.P.d.S.); (I.L.M.d.A.); (T.B.M.); (V.F.Q.); (R.A.L.R.)
| | - Bruna Luiza de Azevedo
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (P.V.M.B.); (M.S.M.S.); (A.S.A.W.); (A.P.C.C.); (B.L.d.A.); (G.A.P.d.S.); (I.L.M.d.A.); (T.B.M.); (V.F.Q.); (R.A.L.R.)
| | - Gabriel Augusto P. de Souza
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (P.V.M.B.); (M.S.M.S.); (A.S.A.W.); (A.P.C.C.); (B.L.d.A.); (G.A.P.d.S.); (I.L.M.d.A.); (T.B.M.); (V.F.Q.); (R.A.L.R.)
| | - Isabella Luiza M. de Aquino
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (P.V.M.B.); (M.S.M.S.); (A.S.A.W.); (A.P.C.C.); (B.L.d.A.); (G.A.P.d.S.); (I.L.M.d.A.); (T.B.M.); (V.F.Q.); (R.A.L.R.)
| | - Talita B. Machado
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (P.V.M.B.); (M.S.M.S.); (A.S.A.W.); (A.P.C.C.); (B.L.d.A.); (G.A.P.d.S.); (I.L.M.d.A.); (T.B.M.); (V.F.Q.); (R.A.L.R.)
| | - Victória F. Queiroz
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (P.V.M.B.); (M.S.M.S.); (A.S.A.W.); (A.P.C.C.); (B.L.d.A.); (G.A.P.d.S.); (I.L.M.d.A.); (T.B.M.); (V.F.Q.); (R.A.L.R.)
| | - Rodrigo A. L. Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (P.V.M.B.); (M.S.M.S.); (A.S.A.W.); (A.P.C.C.); (B.L.d.A.); (G.A.P.d.S.); (I.L.M.d.A.); (T.B.M.); (V.F.Q.); (R.A.L.R.)
| | - Ivan Bergier
- Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá 79320-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil;
| | - Juliana Reis Cortines
- Departamento de Virologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
| | - Savio Torres de Farias
- Laboratório de Genética Evolutiva Paulo Leminsk, Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58050-085, Paraíba, Brazil;
| | - Raíssa Nunes dos Santos
- Laboratório de Virologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90.050-170, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; (R.N.d.S.); (F.S.C.); (A.C.F.)
| | - Fabrício Souza Campos
- Laboratório de Virologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90.050-170, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; (R.N.d.S.); (F.S.C.); (A.C.F.)
| | - Ana Cláudia Franco
- Laboratório de Virologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90.050-170, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; (R.N.d.S.); (F.S.C.); (A.C.F.)
| | - Jônatas S. Abrahão
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (P.V.M.B.); (M.S.M.S.); (A.S.A.W.); (A.P.C.C.); (B.L.d.A.); (G.A.P.d.S.); (I.L.M.d.A.); (T.B.M.); (V.F.Q.); (R.A.L.R.)
- Correspondence:
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7
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Rodrigues RA, de Souza FG, de Azevedo BL, da Silva LC, Abrahão JS. The morphogenesis of different giant viruses as additional evidence for a common origin of Nucleocytoviricota. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 49:102-110. [PMID: 34116391 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Large and giant DNA viruses are a monophyletic group constituting the recently established phylum Nucleocytoviricota. The virus particle morphogenesis of these viruses exhibit striking similarities. Viral factories are established in the host cells where new virions are assembled by recruiting host membranes, forming an inner lipid layer. An outer protein layer starts as a lamellar structure, commonly referred to as viral crescents, coded by the major capsid protein gene. Also, these viruses have a conserved ATPase-coding gene related to genome encapsidation. Similar properties are described for tectiviruses, putative small ancestors of giant viruses. Here we review the morphogenesis of giant viruses and discuss how the process similarities constitute additional evidence to the common origin of Nucleocytoviricota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Al Rodrigues
- Departament of Microbiology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Fernanda G de Souza
- Departament of Microbiology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Bruna L de Azevedo
- Departament of Microbiology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lorena Cf da Silva
- Departament of Microbiology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jônatas S Abrahão
- Departament of Microbiology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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