Cannibalistic viruses in the aquatic environment: role of virophages in manipulating microbial communities

Marie, Veronna; Lin, Johnson

doi:10.1007/s13762-016-1027-y

Cited by 7 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…In most cases, the presence of a virophage seems to be instrumental in the giant virus–host cell interaction (Figure 4) [119]. By decreasing the virulence of giant viruses, virophages regulate the dynamics of the cellular population (amoebae and marine protists) [120]. A metagenomic study performed on samples from Organic Lake, a hypersaline meromictic lake in Antarctica, suggested that virophages stimulate the growth of phototrophic algae by reducing their mortality caused by the giant viruses [55].…”

Section: The Virophage Lifestylementioning

confidence: 99%

Virophages of Giant Viruses: An Update at Eleven

Mougari

Sahmi-Bounsiar

Levasseur

et al. 2019

Viruses

113

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The last decade has been marked by two eminent discoveries that have changed our perception of the virology field: The discovery of giant viruses and a distinct new class of viral agents that parasitize their viral factories, the virophages. Coculture and metagenomics have actively contributed to the expansion of the virophage family by isolating dozens of new members. This increase in the body of data on virophage not only revealed the diversity of the virophage group, but also the relevant ecological impact of these small viruses and their potential role in the dynamics of the microbial network. In addition, the isolation of virophages has led us to discover previously unknown features displayed by their host viruses and cells. In this review, we present an update of all the knowledge on the isolation, biology, genomics, and morphological features of the virophages, a decade after the discovery of their first member, the Sputnik virophage. We discuss their parasitic lifestyle as bona fide viruses of the giant virus factories, genetic parasites of their genomes, and then their role as a key component or target for some host defense mechanisms during the tripartite virophage–giant virus–host cell interaction. We also present the latest advances regarding their origin, classification, and definition that have been widely discussed.

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Section: The Virophage Lifestylementioning

confidence: 99%

Virophages of Giant Viruses: An Update at Eleven

Mougari

Sahmi-Bounsiar

Levasseur

et al. 2019

Viruses

113

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“…Using a metagenomic approach, it was suggested that virophages reduce the mortality caused by the giant viruses of phototrophic algae, and through the use of a mathematical model, it was proposed that besides the direct interference in the multiplication of giant viruses, virophage infection can select viruses with reduced replicative capacity, contributing to the protection of the host cell population [74, 89]. Based on this and other studies, it has been suggested that virophages are associate with the regulation of the population of amoebae and other protists in the environment [90]. In 2018, a virophage was isolated and said to be associated with a mimivirus strain that infects Saccamoeba spp., with the ability to induce a high reduction (~ 70%) in viral capsid production [91].…”

Section: Main Textmentioning

confidence: 99%

Giant virus vs amoeba: fight for supremacy

Oliveira

Scola

Abrahão

2019

Virol J

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Since the discovery of mimivirus, numerous giant viruses associated with free-living amoebae have been described. The genome of giant viruses can be more than 2.5 megabases, and virus particles can exceed the size of many bacteria. The unexpected characteristics of these viruses have made them intriguing research targets and, as a result, studies focusing on their interactions with their amoeba host have gained increased attention. Studies have shown that giant viruses can establish host–pathogen interactions, which have not been previously demonstrated, including the unprecedented interaction with a new group of small viruses, called virophages, that parasitize their viral factories. In this brief review, we present recent advances in virophage–giant virus–host interactions and highlight selected studies involving interactions between giant viruses and amoebae. These unprecedented interactions involve the giant viruses mimivirus, marseillevirus, tupanviruses and faustovirus, all of which modulate the amoeba environment, affecting both their replication and their spread to new hosts.

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“…The Mavirus virophage was obtained in 2010 from the coastal waters of Texas, USA, from the giant virus, CroV ( Cafeteria ( C ) roenbergensis virus ), genus Cafeteriavirus , family Mimiviridae infecting the unicellular phototrophic marine flagellates C. roenbergensis [ 1 , 2 , 8 , 11 , 17 , 43 , 49 , 51 ]. This virophage is named for its high similarity to the self-replicating eukaryotic Maverick/Polinton transposable elements [ 17 , 52 ]. This virophage has an icosahedral capsid 50–60 nm in diameter, which forms only the main trimeric MCP protein and which, despite its complexity (number of triangulations T = 27), does not need auxiliary proteins when folding the capsid [ 17 , 32 , 42 , 46 , 51 ].…”

Section: Virophages With a Described ‘Host’ And Its Host Cellmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virophages—Known and Unknown Facts

Tokarz-Deptuła,

Chrzanowska,

Gurgacz

et al. 2023

Viruses

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The paper presents virophages, which, like their host, giant viruses, are “new” infectious agents whose role in nature, including mammalian health, is important. Virophages, along with their protozoan and algal hosts, are found in fresh inland waters and oceanic and marine waters, including thermal waters and deep-sea vents, as well as in soil, plants, and in humans and animals (ruminants). Representing “superparasitism”, almost all of the 39 described virophages (except Zamilon) interact negatively with giant viruses by affecting their replication and morphogenesis and their “adaptive immunity”. This causes them to become regulators and, at the same time, defenders of the host of giant viruses protozoa and algae, which are organisms that determine the homeostasis of the aquatic environment. They are classified in the family Lavidaviridae with two genus (Sputnikovirus, Mavirus). However, in 2023, a proposal was presented that they should form the class Maveriviricetes, with four orders and seven families. Their specific structure, including their microsatellite (SSR-Simple Sequence Repeats) and the CVV (cell—virus—virophage, or transpovirion) system described with them, as well as their function, makes them, together with the biological features of giant viruses, form the basis for discussing the existence of a fourth domain in addition to Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota. The paper also presents the hypothetical possibility of using them as a vector for vaccine antigens.

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Cannibalistic viruses in the aquatic environment: role of virophages in manipulating microbial communities

Cited by 7 publications

References 60 publications

Virophages of Giant Viruses: An Update at Eleven

Virophages of Giant Viruses: An Update at Eleven

Giant virus vs amoeba: fight for supremacy

Virophages—Known and Unknown Facts

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