2024-02-02 05:48:11
On the sunlit surface of ours Oceans a completely new type of virus was found. The specimens are related to both giant viruses and herpes viruses and could help shed more light on the evolutionary history of herpes.
Ocean: This is behind the “Mirus virus”
The researchers gave the pathogen the name Mirusvirus or Mirusviricota. This name comes from the Latin “mirus”, which means “wonderful” or “strange”. In more detail, these belong to a group of viruses called Duplodnaviria. This is a large type of double-stranded DNA virus, which also includes herpes viruses.
However, mirus viruses do not infect humans, but usually only infect single-cell plankton. However, according to the study published in Nature, this suggests that the ancestors of the herpes viruses once infected marine protozoa.
Although their evolutionary heritage goes back to herpesviruses, most mirusvirus genes are similar to those of giant viruses, i.e. really large viruses. Still, researchers say this never-before-seen group of viruses is quite unique.
Unimagined complexity of the ocean surface
The new viruses were found while reviewing data collected as part of the Tara Ocean Expedition. The project collected more than 35,000 samples of viruses, algae and plankton from over 200 different locations worldwide.
Their genetic material has also been sequenced, giving scientists a wealth of data to sift through. These offer them many opportunities to discover new species. In a statement it says:
“The discovery of Mirusviricota reminds us that we have not yet fully grasped the ecological and evolutionary complexity of even the most abundant double-stranded DNA viruses in important ecosystems such as the surface of our oceans and seas.”
Statement from the researchers involved (via CNRS)
Also investigate outside oceans
“The publication of this discovery in Nature marks the beginning of a new adventure and a gateway for the scientific community to detect and study mirusviruses in any number of ecosystems,” explains Tom Delmont, study author and expert in microbial ecology at the French National Center for Microbial Ecology scientific research continues.
There is still a lot to discover and understand about mirus viruses, adds Morgan Gaïa, lead author of the study. So they have yet to be cultured, there are no images of their viral particles, and they have yet to be studied in places other than the oceans.
Quellen: „Mirusviruses link herpesviruses to giant viruses“ (Nature, 2023), CNRS
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