Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
Human Virome01:26

Human Virome

The human body harbors a vast and diverse viral community known as the human virome. The virome includes bacteriophages that infect bacteria, and eukaryotic viruses that infect human cells. Transient dietary and environmental viruses also contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. Estimates suggest the human body may contain on the order of 10¹³ viral particles, though abundance varies widely by body site and detection method.Comprehensive characterization of the virome has become possible only with...
Viral Mutations00:36

Viral Mutations

A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...
Viruses of Archaea01:29

Viruses of Archaea

Archaeal viruses play a crucial role in the ecosystems of extremophilic archaea, particularly those belonging to the phyla Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. By shaping host evolution and facilitating gene transfer, these viruses influence microbial communities and contribute to genetic diversity in extreme environments. The archaea they infect thrive in acidic hot springs and hydrothermal vents characterized by high temperatures and low pH. Archaeal viruses exhibit remarkable structural...
Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Four nudivirus core genes present in the genome of <i>Venturia canescens</i> are required for virus-like particle formation and prevention of encapsulation of parasitoid wasp eggs.

Journal of virology·2025
Same author

The Genome Sequence of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand 1924.

Genome biology and evolution·2025
Same author

Large DNA Viruses That Parasitoid Wasps Transmit to Hosts.

Annual review of entomology·2025
Same author

Insulin-like peptides activate egg formation in the Asian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi.

Parasites & vectors·2025
Same author

Recent insights in the development and functions of insect hemocytes.

Current opinion in insect science·2025
Same author

Protocol for detecting peptide hormones in mosquito tissues.

STAR protocols·2025
Same journal

Combination adjuvants: clinical value and mechanisms of action.

Current opinion in virology·2026
Same journal

Editorial Overview: Immunopathogenesis in viral disease.

Current opinion in virology·2026
Same journal

Architecture and evolution of viral complement evasion.

Current opinion in virology·2026
Same journal

The HEV capsid through a dynamic lens: parallels and divergence from caliciviruses.

Current opinion in virology·2026
Same journal

When structural rationales fall short: revisiting the immunogenicity of herpesvirus prefusion and postfusion glycoprotein B.

Current opinion in virology·2026
Same journal

Beyond brain fog: viral proteins as convergent drivers of neuroinflammation and proteinopathy.

Current opinion in virology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus
09:08

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Published on: July 27, 2021

Polydnavirus-wasp associations: evolution, genome organization, and function.

Michael R Strand1, Gaelen R Burke

  • 1Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.

Current Opinion in Virology
|July 3, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Polydnaviruses, viruses integrated into wasp genomes as endogenous viral elements (EVEs), share traits with ancient EVEs and prokaryotic gene transfer agents (GTAs). This review explores their evolution and functional similarities.

More Related Videos

Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors
06:02

Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors

Published on: September 13, 2018

Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses
12:20

Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses

Published on: December 29, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus
09:08

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Published on: July 27, 2021

Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors
06:02

Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors

Published on: September 13, 2018

Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses
12:20

Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses

Published on: December 29, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Viruses produce virions for host-to-host genome transfer.
  • Endogenous viral elements (EVEs) are virus-derived DNA sequences integrated into host germlines.
  • Polydnaviruses are associated with parasitoid wasps and also exist as EVEs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review polydnavirus evolution.
  • To compare polydnaviruses with other ancient EVEs.
  • To examine functional similarities between polydnaviruses and phage-like gene transfer agents (GTAs).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of polydnavirus research.
  • Comparative analysis of polydnaviruses and other EVEs.
  • Examination of functional parallels with prokaryotic GTAs.

Main Results:

  • Polydnaviruses exhibit unique evolutionary trajectories within parasitoid wasps.
  • Comparisons reveal shared characteristics with ancient EVEs, suggesting convergent evolution.
  • Functional similarities with GTAs highlight potential roles in horizontal gene transfer.

Conclusions:

  • Polydnaviruses represent a fascinating case study in viral genome integration and evolution.
  • Understanding polydnavirus EVEs provides insights into host-genome evolution and viral persistence.
  • The analogy with GTAs may illuminate novel mechanisms of genetic exchange in eukaryotes.