Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 2, 2025
10:49
Estimating Virus Production Rates in Aquatic Systems
Published on: September 22, 2010
12.7K
Eukaryotic Microbial RNA Viruses-Acute or Persistent? Insights into Their Function in the Aquatic Ecosystem
Syun-Ichi Urayama1,2, Yoshihiro Takaki3, Yuto Chiba1
1Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Fungal Interaction and Molecular Biology (donated by IFO), University of Tsukuba.
Microbes and Environments
|August 4, 2022
Summary
Persistent RNA viruses, often overlooked, are newly recognized as significant in microbial viromes. These viruses, distinct from acute types, offer new insights into viral diversity and co-evolution.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Microbial Ecology
Background:
- Isolated RNA viruses primarily infect eukaryotes, with horizontal (acute) or vertical (persistent) transmission modes.
- Persistent RNA viruses in microbial viromes were previously underappreciated due to overlooked detection methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review host-virus relationships of eukaryotic microbial RNA viruses.
- To highlight the significance and distribution of persistent RNA viruses in diverse environments.
Main Methods:
- Literature review summarizing existing data on microbial RNA viruses.
- Categorization of viruses into acute and persistent types based on host interactions.
- Analysis of viral distribution across different environmental settings.
Main Results:
- Picornavirales and Reoviridae represent acute-type viruses, found mainly in aquatic environments.
- Narnaviridae, Totiviridae, and Partitiviridae are key persistent-type microbial RNA viruses.
- Persistent viruses inhabit diverse environments and are widespread in RNA viral sequences.
Conclusions:
- Persistent RNA viruses are crucial components of microbial ecosystems, expanding our understanding of viral diversity.
- The study of persistent viruses reveals novel insights into host-virus co-evolutionary histories.
- Further research into persistent RNA viruses is essential for a comprehensive view of viromes.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Viruses of Archaea
69
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...
69
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
99
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...
99
01:23Types of RNA
64.5K
Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
64.5K
02:47Ribozymes
12.4K
The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can...
Ribozymes can...
12.4K
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
120
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...
120
01:29Types of Microorganisms
504
Microorganisms are a diverse group of microscopic entities broadly categorized into cellular and acellular types based on their structural organization. Cellular microorganisms include bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, and algae, while acellular microorganisms are represented by viruses.Cellular MicroorganismsBacteriaBacteria, tiny prokaryotic organisms, exhibit fascinating shapes such as rods, spheres, and spirals. They adapt to diverse habitats, including soil, water, and human-associated...
504