Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026
08:01
Environmental Sampling of Photosynthetic Microbes and Their Viruses: From Field to Lab
Published on: July 3, 2025
738
Unveiling a novel broad-host-range cyanomyovirus cross-infecting Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus.
Shuang Wei1, Lanlan Cai2, Hongrui Zheng3
1State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
BMC Biology
|December 9, 2025
Summary
A novel marine cyanophage, S-SCSM2R, exhibits broad cross-infectivity across multiple Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus clades. This discovery reveals new cyanophage strategies for manipulating host metabolism in marine ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Virology
- Phycology
Background:
- Cyanophages are vital marine viruses regulating cyanobacteria.
- Understanding phage-host interactions is crucial for marine ecosystem dynamics.
- Current knowledge of cyanophage interactions remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize novel marine cyanophages.
- To investigate the genetic diversity and host range of cyanophages.
- To explore mechanisms of phage-host interactions in marine environments.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of marine cyanophages.
- Genetic characterization of isolated cyanophages.
- Host range determination across multiple cyanobacterial clades.
Main Results:
- A novel T4-like cyanophage, S-SCSM2R, was identified.
- S-SCSM2R demonstrated cross-infectivity against eight picocyanobacterial clades, including Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus.
- Novel auxiliary metabolic and counter-defense genes were identified in S-SCSM2R.
Conclusions:
- S-SCSM2R possesses an exceptionally broad host range and unique genetic features.
- The study expands knowledge on cyanophage cross-infectivity and host manipulation.
- New insights into cyanophage roles in marine ecosystem metabolism were revealed.
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