Virology Independent virus development outside a host

Viruses are thought to be functionally inactive once they are outside and independent of their host cell. Here we describe an exceptional property of a newly discovered virus that infects a hyperthermophilic archaeon growing in acidic hot springs: the lemon-shaped viral particle develops a very long...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature 2005-08, Vol.436 (7054), p.1101-1102
Main Authors: Prangishvili, David, Häring, Monika, Vestergaard, Gisle, Rachel, Reinhard, Chen, Lanming, Garrett, Roger A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acidianus - virology
Archaeal Viruses - genetics
Archaeal Viruses - growth & development
Archaeal Viruses - ultrastructure
Freshwater
Hot Springs - virology
Italy
Virus Assembly
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Summary:Viruses are thought to be functionally inactive once they are outside and independent of their host cell. Here we describe an exceptional property of a newly discovered virus that infects a hyperthermophilic archaeon growing in acidic hot springs: the lemon-shaped viral particle develops a very long tail at each of its pointed ends after being released from its host cell. The process occurs only at the temperature of the host's habitat (75-90 °C) and it does not require the presence of the host cell, an exogenous energy source or any cofactors. This host-independent morphological development may be a strategy for viral survival in an environment that is unusually harsh and has limited host availability.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/4361101a