Evolutionary Biology: Viral Rhodopsins Illuminate Algal Evolution

A new metagenomics study has shown that marine viruses recently acquired genes encoding light-gated ion channels from green algae. These so-called channelrhodopsin genes may allow the viruses to manipulate the swimming behavior of the algae they infect. A new metagenomics study has shown that marine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current biology 2020-12, Vol.30 (24), p.R1469-R1471
Main Authors: Gallot-Lavallée, Lucie, Archibald, John M.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:A new metagenomics study has shown that marine viruses recently acquired genes encoding light-gated ion channels from green algae. These so-called channelrhodopsin genes may allow the viruses to manipulate the swimming behavior of the algae they infect. A new metagenomics study has shown that marine viruses recently acquired genes encoding light-gated ion channels from green algae. These so-called channelrhodopsin genes may allow the viruses to manipulate the swimming behavior of the algae they infect.
ISSN:0960-9822
1879-0445
DOI:10.1016/j.cub.2020.10.080