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Mimivirus isolated, genome amputated

Date:
June 19, 2011
Source:
CNRS (Délégation Paris Michel-Ange)
Summary:
In the absence of competition with other microorganisms, Mimivirus, the largest known DNA virus, loses 17% of its genome.
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In the absence of competition with other microorganisms, Mimivirus, the largest known DNA virus, loses 17% of its genome. This has recently been demonstrated by a French-American collaboration including researchers from CNRS, the Université de la Méditerranée and the Université de Provence[1]. The results are published online this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

With 900 genes of their own, Mimiviruses, discovered in 2003 by two teams headed by Professor Didier Raoult, represent the largest known group of DNA viruses. They have been discovered in amoebas, unicellular beings that can be found in the water-cooling circuits of air conditioning systems. The originality of this virus stems from its size and its vulnerability to infection by small viruses: virophages.

In a natural environment, in other words within amoebas, Mimiviruses live in a "community." They share their amoebic space with other organisms such as viruses and bacteria. Constant exchanges of genes within these organisms with intra-amoebal life, not just between each other but also with their protozoan host, have allowed this evolution towards a "community" life.

The researchers cultivated the Mimivirus in the laboratory, alone in an amoeba and without contact with other organisms. Through accelerated evolution (only 150 passages[2]), they observed a 17% reduction in the size of its genome. This genomic loss mainly occurs in the form of deletions[3] of both ends of its genome. In the absence of other microorganisms and thus competition within the amoeba, the Mimivirus then eliminates part of its genome by deleting in particular the genes involved in the formation of the long fibers that surround its capsid[4]. The Mimivirus therefore becomes "bald." The researchers also observed that it becomes resistant to virophages.

This work shows that a change of ecosystem may be associated with a major and rapid modification of the genome of microorganisms.


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Materials provided by CNRS (Délégation Paris Michel-Ange). Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. M. Boyer, S. Azza, L. Barrassi, T. Klose, A. Campocasso, I. Pagnier, G. Fournous, A. Borg, C. Robert, X. Zhang, C. Desnues, B. Henrissat, M. G. Rossmann, B. La Scola, D. Raoult. Mimivirus shows dramatic genome reduction after intraamoebal culture. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2011; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1101118108

Cite This Page:

CNRS (Délégation Paris Michel-Ange). "Mimivirus isolated, genome amputated." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 June 2011. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110614083936.htm>.
CNRS (Délégation Paris Michel-Ange). (2011, June 19). Mimivirus isolated, genome amputated. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 13, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110614083936.htm
CNRS (Délégation Paris Michel-Ange). "Mimivirus isolated, genome amputated." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110614083936.htm (accessed November 13, 2024).

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