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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
11:28
Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
Published on: October 7, 2011
Lysogenic virus-host interactions predominate at deep-sea diffuse-flow hydrothermal vents
Shannon J Williamson1, S Craig Cary, Kurt E Williamson
1University of Delaware, Graduate College of Marine Studies, Newark, DE 19711, USA.
The ISME Journal
|August 23, 2008
Summary
Temperate viruses, which influence host genetics, are abundant in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. These viruses, carrying novel genes, play a crucial role in the ecology of deep-sea microbial communities.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Marine Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Viral life cycles significantly impact microbial community phenotypes.
- Temperate viruses can alter lysogenic prokaryotes through genetic exchange.
- Marine ecosystems rarely show high numbers of inducible temperate viruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the prevalence and role of temperate viruses in deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems.
- Characterize the genetic makeup and diversity of temperate viruses in these environments.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of deep-sea diffuse-flow hydrothermal vent waters.
- Genetic fingerprinting techniques.
- Initial metagenomic analyses of viral populations.
Main Results:
- Deep-sea hydrothermal vent waters consistently host high numbers of lysogenic prokaryotes and temperate viruses.
- Temperate viruses in vent waters represent a less diverse fraction of the total virioplankton.
- These viral populations exhibit an exceptionally high frequency of novel genes.
Conclusions:
- Temperate viruses are consistently abundant in deep-sea hydrothermal vent environments.
- These viruses contribute significantly to prokaryotic ecology in extreme deep-sea geothermal ecosystems.
- The high prevalence of novel genes suggests temperate viruses are a source of genetic innovation in these habitats.
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