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09:27
A Rapid Strategy for the Isolation of New Faustoviruses from Environmental Samples Using Vermamoeba vermiformis
Published on: June 4, 2016
Abundant SAR11 viruses in the ocean
Yanlin Zhao1, Ben Temperton, J Cameron Thrash
1Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA.
Nature
|February 15, 2013
Summary
Researchers discovered pelagiphages, viruses that infect SAR11 bacteria, disproving theories of SAR11 immunity. This finding suggests SAR11
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Virology
- Oceanography
Background:
- The SAR11 bacterial clade dominates ocean ecosystems, with its success previously attributed to phage resistance or efficient metabolism.
- Top-down predation by viruses was considered a minor factor in SAR11 population dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of viral predation on SAR11 bacteria.
- To isolate and characterize viruses infecting SAR11 bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of SAR11-infecting viruses in culture.
- Genomic analysis of isolated viruses.
- Analysis of marine viral metagenomic data.
Main Results:
- Isolation of diverse SAR11 viruses, named pelagiphages, from two virus families.
- Pelagiphage genomes are abundant in marine viral metagenomes.
- A novel, highly abundant podovirus subfamily (HTVC010P) was identified, indicating significant viral predation on SAR11.
Conclusions:
- SAR11 bacteria are susceptible to viral predation, challenging previous hypotheses.
- The ecological success of SAR11 is likely due to adaptations in resource competition rather than viral immunity.
- Pelagiphages play a significant role in marine microbial ecosystems and biogeochemical cycling.
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