Persistent virus and addiction modules: an engine of symbiosis

Villarreal, Luis P.

doi:10.1016/j.mib.2016.03.005

Cited by 18 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 78 publications

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“…This RNA could originate from (a) de novo creation, as suggested for some short stem-loop hairpin RNAs (Seligmann and Raoult, 2016 ) and analyses in previous sections, (b) pools of vertically transmitted RNAs originating from horizontal transfers (Stedman, 2013 ) forming quasi species groups (Villarreal, 2015 , 2016 ), or (c) noncanonical transcriptions of genomic DNA, such as RDDs [RNA-DNA differences, which result from posttranscriptional nucleotide substitutions (Li et al, 2011 ) or indels (insertions/deletions, Chen and Bundschuh, 2012 )]. In addition, this RNA might result from a peculiar type of transcription, which produces transcripts matching genomes only if one assumes that transcription systematically exchanges nucleotides over the whole length of the transcript, which is called swinger transcription.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Stem-Loop RNA Hairpins in Giant Viruses: Invading rRNA-Like Repeats and a Template Free RNA

Seligmann

Raoult

2018

Front. Microbiol.

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We examine the hypothesis that de novo template-free RNAs still form spontaneously, as they did at the origins of life, invade modern genomes, contribute new genetic material. Previously, analyses of RNA secondary structures suggested that some RNAs resembling ancestral (t)RNAs formed recently de novo, other parasitic sequences cluster with rRNAs. Here positive control analyses of additional RNA secondary structures confirm ancestral and de novo statuses of RNA grouped according to secondary structure. Viroids with branched stems resemble de novo RNAs, rod-shaped viroids resemble rRNA secondary structures, independently of GC contents. 5′ UTR leading regions of West Nile and Dengue flavivirid viruses resemble de novo and rRNA structures, respectively. An RNA homologous with Megavirus, Dengue and West Nile genomes, copperhead snake microsatellites and levant cotton repeats, not templated by Mimivirus' genome, persists throughout Mimivirus' infection. Its secondary structure clusters with candidate de novo RNAs. The saltatory phyletic distribution and secondary structure of Mimivirus' peculiar RNA suggest occasional template-free polymerization of this sequence, rather than noncanonical transcriptions (swinger polymerization, posttranscriptional editing).

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Stem-Loop RNA Hairpins in Giant Viruses: Invading rRNA-Like Repeats and a Template Free RNA

Seligmann

Raoult

2018

Front. Microbiol.

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“…The most important behavioral motif from both an evolutionary and functional perspective is that viruses can integrate a persistent lifestyle into cellular host organisms by "addiction" modules (Villarreal, 2012(Villarreal, , 2016b. This means that former competing viral groups counterbalance each other, together with the host immune system (Koonin et al, 2019).…”

Section: Virus Communicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is Life?

Witzany¹

2020

Front. Astron. Space Sci.

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In searching for life in extraterrestrial space, it is essential to act based on an unequivocal definition of life. In the twentieth century, life was defined as cells that self-replicate, metabolize, and are open for mutations, without which genetic information would remain unchangeable, and evolution would be impossible. Current definitions of life derive from statistical mechanics, physics, and chemistry of the twentieth century in which life is considered to function machine like, ignoring a central role of communication. Recent observations show that context-dependent meaningful communication and network formation (and control) are central to all life forms. Evolutionary relevant new nucleotide sequences now appear to have originated from social agents such as viruses, their parasitic relatives, and related RNA networks, not from errors. By applying the known features of natural languages and communication, a new twenty-first century definition of life can be reached in which communicative interactions are central to all processes of life. A new definition of life must integrate the current empirical knowledge about interactions between cells, viruses, and RNA networks to provide a better explanatory power than the twentieth century narrative.

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“…Symbiogenesis is defined by the introduction of new genetic information by uptake of an entire organism, whereby the symbiotic relationship is extended beyond a “master and slave” interaction . Symbiotic relationships between partners with bacteria and viruses have been important events during evolution, including flowering plants . The uptake of bacteria leading to the evolution of chloroplasts and mitochondria, for example, are considered unique events during eukaryotic evolution.…”

Section: Endosymbiosismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…138 Symbiotic relationships between partners with bacteria and viruses have been important events during evolution, 138 including flowering plants. 139,140 The uptake of bacteria leading to the evolution of chloroplasts and mitochondria, for example, are considered unique events during eukaryotic evolution. The engulfed bacteria lost or delegated the majority of genes, around 3000, to the host cell nucleus such that the human mitochondria, for instance, only retained 37 genes that are specialized to energy production.…”

Section: Endosymbiosismentioning

confidence: 99%

What viruses tell us about evolution and immunity: beyond Darwin?

Broecker

Moelling

2019

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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We describe mechanisms of genetic innovation mediated by viruses and related elements that, during evolution, caused major genetic changes beyond what was anticipated by Charles Darwin. Viruses and related elements introduced genetic information and have shaped the genomes and immune systems of all cellular life forms. None of these mechanisms contradict Darwin's theory of evolution but extend it by means of sequence information that has recently become available. Not only do small increments of genetic information contribute to evolution, but also do major events such as infection by viruses or bacteria, which can supply new genetic information to a host by horizontal gene transfer. Thereby, viruses and virus‐like elements act as major drivers of evolution.

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Persistent virus and addiction modules: an engine of symbiosis

Cited by 18 publications

References 78 publications

Stem-Loop RNA Hairpins in Giant Viruses: Invading rRNA-Like Repeats and a Template Free RNA

Stem-Loop RNA Hairpins in Giant Viruses: Invading rRNA-Like Repeats and a Template Free RNA

What is Life?

What viruses tell us about evolution and immunity: beyond Darwin?

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