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Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
Published on: June 11, 2015
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Phaeoviruses discovered in kelp (Laminariales)
Dean A McKeown1,2, Kim Stevens1,2, Akira F Peters3
1Viral Ecology, Marine Biological, Association, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, UK.
The ISME Journal
|July 26, 2017
Summary
Scientists discovered new double-stranded DNA viruses, called phaeoviruses, infecting kelp seaweeds. These viruses replicate in the host nucleus, degrade chloroplasts, and assemble in the cytoplasm, with widespread infection observed in natural populations.
Area of Science:
- Marine Virology
- Phycology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Phaeoviruses are double-stranded DNA viruses known to infect brown algae (Phaeophyceae).
- Previously, phaeoviruses were only identified in small, short-lived Ectocarpales macroalgae.
- Kelp, including Laminaria and Saccharina, are ecologically and commercially significant seaweeds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the discovery and characterization of a new phaeovirus cluster infecting kelp.
- To investigate the cellular localization and replication strategy of a novel kelp-infecting phaeovirus.
- To provide the first description of phaeoviruses in kelp species.
Main Methods:
- Molecular analysis to identify new phaeovirus genetic material.
- Epifluorescence microscopy to observe viral presence and localization within host cells.
- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for detailed morphological analysis of viral particles and cellular effects.
Main Results:
- Identification of a new phaeovirus cluster (sub-group C) infecting kelp (Laminariales).
- The type species, Laminaria digitata Virus (LdigV), replicates in the host nucleus.
- Viral infection leads to chloroplast degradation and virion assembly in the cytoplasm of vegetative and reproductive cells.
- Field surveys revealed infection in two-thirds of surveyed host populations.
Conclusions:
- This study represents the first report of phaeoviruses infecting kelp.
- The newly identified phaeoviruses exhibit distinct characteristics compared to previously known phaeoviruses.
- The widespread prevalence suggests a significant, yet currently unknown, biological impact on kelp populations.
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