Virophage

Virophages are small, double stranded DNA viral phages that require the co-infection of another virus. The co-infecting viruses are typically giant viruses. Virophages rely on the viral replication factory of the co-infecting giant virus for their own replication. One of the characteristics of virophages is that they have a parasitic relationship with the co-infecting virus. Their dependence upon the giant virus for replication often results in the deactivation of the giant viruses. The virophage may improve the recovery and survival of the host organism.

Discovery

The first virophage was discovered in a cooling tower in Paris, France. It was discovered with its co-infecting giant virus, Acanthamoeba castellanii mamavirus (ACMV). The virophage was named Sputnik and its replication relied entirely on the co-infection of ACMV and its cytoplasmic replication machinery. Sputnik was also discovered to have an inhibitory effect on ACMV and improved the survival of the host. The most current list of discovered virophages include Sputnik, Sputnik 2, Sputnik 3, Zamilon and Mavirus which were all found in eukaryotic hosts with their co-infecting giant viruses.

A majority of these virophages are being discovered by analyzing metagenomic data sets. In metagenomic analysis, DNA data is sequenced and ran through multiple bioinformatic algorithms which, based on what is being analyzed, pull out certain important patterns and characteristics. In these data sets are giant viruses and virophages. They are separated by looking for sequences around 17 to 20 kilobasepairs (kbp) long and have similarities to already sequenced virophages. These virophages can have linear or circular double stranded DNA genomes.[1] Virophages in culture have icosahedral capsid particles that measure around 40 to 80 nanometers long.[2] Virophage particles are so small that electron microscopy must be used to view these particles. Through metagenomic sequence-based analyses, around 57 complete and partial virophage genomes have been identified.[3]

Host Range and Replication

Virophages need to have a co-infecting virus in order for them to replicate. The virophages do not have the necessary enzymes to replicate on their own. Virophages use the giant viral replication machinery to replicate their own genomes and continue their existence. The host range for virophages include giant viruses with double stranded DNA genomes. Virophages use the transcriptional machinery of these giant viruses for their own replication instead of the host's transcriptional machinery. For example, the discovery of the virophage associated with the Samba virus decreased the viruses concentration in the host while the virophage was replicating using the giant virus. The host amoeba also showed a partial recovery from the infection by the Samba virus.[1]

Genome

Virophages have small double stranded DNA genomes that are either circular or linear in shape. The size of these genomes can vary depending on the giant virus it infects. Most virophages have genomes around 17–30kbp.[2][3] Their genome is protected by an icosahedral capsid measuring approximately 40–80 nm in length.[2] In contrast, their co-infecting giant virus counterparts can have genomes as large as 1–2 megabasepairs (Mbp).[1] Some of the largest genomes of virophages are similar to the genome size of an adenovirus.[2]

Genome

Size (kbp)

 Particle Size

(diameter, in nm)

Virus: Poliovirus 7 30
Virus: Adenoviridae 26–48 90–100
Virophage: Zamilon Virophage 17 50–60
Virophage: Sputnik Virophage 18 74
Giant Virus: Cafeteria roenbergensis virus 700 75
Giant Virus: Mimivirus 1,181 400–800

Distinguishable Characteristics

Unlike satellite viruses, virophages have a parasitic effect on their co-infecting virus. Virophages have been observed to render a giant virus inactive and thereby improve the condition of the host organism.

Taxonomy

The family Lavidaviridae with the two genera, Sputnikvirus and Mavirus, has been established by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses for classification of virophages.[2]

  • The Radiolab podcast Shrink produced by National Public Radio featured journalist Carl Zimmer discussing giant viruses and virophages

References

  1. 1 2 3 Katzourakis, Aris; Aswad, Amr (2014). "The origins of giant viruses, virophages and their relatives in host genomes" (PDF). BMC Biology. 12: 2–3. doi:10.1186/s12915-014-0051-y. PMC 4096385. PMID 25184667.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Krupovic, Mart; Kuhn, Jens; Fischer, Metthias (Fall 2015). "A classification system for virophages and satellite viruses" (PDF). Archives of Virology. 161: 242. doi:10.1007/s00705-015-2622-9 – via Springer.
  3. 1 2 Roux, Simon; Chan, Leong-Keat; Egan, Rob; Malmstrom, Rex R.; McMahon, Katherine D.; Sullivan, Matthew B. (2017-10-11). "Ecogenomics of virophages and their giant virus hosts assessed through time series metagenomics". Nature Communications. 8 (1). doi:10.1038/s41467-017-01086-2. ISSN 2041-1723.
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