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Updated: Mar 22, 2026
10:43
Unraveling the Unseen Players in the Ocean - A Field Guide to Water Chemistry and Marine Microbiology
Published on: November 5, 2014
26.4K
Viral metabolic reprogramming in marine ecosystems.
Bonnie L Hurwitz1, Jana M U'Ren1
1Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Arizona, 1177 E. 4th Street, Shantz Building, Room 403, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
Current Opinion in Microbiology
|April 19, 2016
Summary
Marine viruses possess auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) that enhance viral replication by altering host metabolism. These genes, varying with environment, are crucial for viral production and redirecting host carbon flow.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Virology
- Metagenomics
Background:
- Marine viruses frequently carry auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) derived from their hosts.
- AMGs are hypothesized to enhance viral replication by modifying host metabolic pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe classes of AMGs and their roles in host carbon metabolism.
- To elucidate the ecological significance of AMGs in marine environments.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of metagenomic ocean survey data.
- Characterization of viral and host metabolic gene content.
Main Results:
- AMGs cover diverse metabolic functions, including amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism.
- Community-wide AMG content and abundance correlate with environmental conditions.
- A model is proposed where phage-encoded genes rapidly alter host metabolism for phage production.
Conclusions:
- Phage-encoded AMGs play a significant role in redirecting host carbon metabolism.
- AMGs are ecologically important, enabling rapid host metabolic adjustments for viral replication.
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