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Mimivirus and the emerging concept of "giant" virus

Jean-Michel Claverie1, Hiroyuki Ogata, Stéphane Audic

  • 1Information Génomique et Structurale, CNRS UPR 2589, IBSM, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, 163 Avenue de Luminy, Case 934, 13288 Marseille Cedex 9, France. Jean-Michel.Claverie@igs.cnrs-mrs.fr

Virus Research
|February 14, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The discovery of Acanthamoeba polyphaga Mimivirus, a giant DNA virus, challenges traditional definitions of viruses and cellular life. Its complex genome suggests an intermediate status, potentially requiring new classifications for microbial biodiversity.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • The discovery of Acanthamoeba polyphaga Mimivirus represents a significant finding in virology.
  • This giant DNA virus possesses unprecedented particle size, genome length, and gene repertoire.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the genome sequence of Acanthamoeba polyphaga Mimivirus.
  • To examine the implications of this giant virus on microbial biodiversity and classification.
  • To propose a new term for these unique viruses.

Main Methods:

  • Genome sequencing and analysis of Acanthamoeba polyphaga Mimivirus.
  • Comparative genomics to identify novel viral genes.
  • Literature review on microbial classification and biodiversity.

Main Results:

  • The virus possesses a 1.2 million bp genome with 911 protein-coding genes.
  • Genes previously thought exclusive to cellular organisms, like aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, were identified.
  • The virus blurs the lines between viruses and parasitic cellular organisms.

Conclusions:

  • The existence of Acanthamoeba polyphaga Mimivirus necessitates a re-evaluation of microbial life forms.
  • A new classification term, 'girus', is proposed for these giant DNA viruses.
  • These viruses represent an intermediate evolutionary step between viruses and prokaryotes.

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