Phaeoviruses discovered in kelp (Laminariales)

Dean A. McKeown, Kim Stevens, Akira F. Peters, Peter Bond, Glenn M. Harper, Colin Brownlee, Murray T. Brown, Declan C. Schroeder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Phaeoviruses are latent double-stranded DNA viruses that insert their genomes into those of their brown algal (Phaeophyceae) hosts. So far these viruses are known only from members of the Ectocarpales, which are small and short-lived macroalgae. Here we report molecular and morphological evidence for a new Phaeovirus cluster, referred to as sub-group C, infecting kelps (Laminariales) of the genera Laminaria and Saccharina, which are ecologically and commercially important seaweeds. Epifluorescence and TEM observations indicate that the Laminaria digitata Virus (LdigV), the type species of sub-group C, targets the host nucleus for its genome replication, followed by gradual degradation of the chloroplast and assembly of virions in the cytoplasm of both vegetative and reproductive cells. This study is the first to describe phaeoviruses in kelp. In the field, these viruses infected two thirds of their host populations; however, their biological impact remains unknown.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2869-2873
Number of pages5
JournalISME Journal
Volume11
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2017.

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