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Zamilon, a novel virophage with Mimiviridae host specificity
Morgan Gaia1, Samia Benamar1, Mondher Boughalmi1
1Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, UMR CNRS-IRD 7278, IFR48, Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
Plos One
|April 22, 2014
Summary
Zamilon is a novel virophage discovered with a group C Mimiviridae virus. This virophage can multiply with group B and C Mimiviridae but not group A, expanding our understanding of virophage-host interactions.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Microbiology
- Ecology
Background:
- Virophages are small viruses that infect other large viruses, potentially regulating their hosts.
- Virophages have been found associated with various members of the order Megavirales, including Mimiviridae, Mavirus, and Phycodnaviridae.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe Zamilon, the first virophage isolated with a group C Mimiviridae virus.
- To investigate the host range and genomic characteristics of Zamilon.
Main Methods:
- Co-culturing of amoebae infected with different Mimiviridae groups with purified Zamilon.
- Genomic analysis of Zamilon.
Main Results:
- Zamilon was successfully isolated with a group C Mimiviridae virus.
- Zamilon multiplied with group B and C Mimiviridae but not with group A Mimiviridae.
- Zamilon possesses a 17,276 bp DNA genome encoding 20 genes, with most genes similar to Sputnik virophage, but some related to Megavirus chiliensis and Moumouvirus monve.
Conclusions:
- Zamilon expands the known diversity of virophages and their hosts.
- The host specificity of Zamilon differs from Sputnik virophage, indicating varied interactions within the Mimiviridae family.
- Zamilon's genome provides insights into virophage evolution and gene transfer.
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