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International Journal of Environment Science and Technology
Center for Environment and Energy Research and Studies (CEERS)
ISSN: 1735-1472 EISSN: 1735-1472
Vol. 13, No. 8, 2016, pp. 2097-2104
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Bioline Code: st16192
Full paper language: English
Document type: Review Article
Document available free of charge
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International Journal of Environment Science and Technology, Vol. 13, No. 8, 2016, pp. 2097-2104
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Cannibalistic viruses in the aquatic environment: role of virophages in manipulating microbial communities
Marie, V. & Lin, J.
Abstract
The ecological role of viruses in aquatic environments is gaining interest due to their abundance and
overall diversity. Much focus has been on bacteriophages
since they were found to play an important role in the
diversification and sustainment at both the micro- and
macro-scale. However, the discovery of virophages coexisting with giant viruses in a diverse set of eukaryotic hosts
has recently gained attention. Virophages are small double-stranded DNA viruses found parasitizing giant viruses of
eukaryotes. Since the discovery of the first virophage
(Sputnik) many virophage signatures have been detected
from a variety of environmental samples with specific
infection cycles. In addition, these parasites display
important roles in equilibrating microbial biomass, nutrient
cycling and population dynamics. Moreover, virophage-induced evolution between giant viruses and their hosts
have also been described. Considering the ongoing discovery of virophages and their dynamics in aquatic
ecosystems, this review intends to provide an update of the
virophage signatures identified to date, also tending to
provide insight on the mechanisms of coinfection as well as
their role as agents of biodiversity and nutrient cyclers in
water environments.
Keywords
Virophages; Giant viruses; Modes of coinfection; Virophage–host dynamics; Viral evolution
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