Discovery and characterization of complete genomes of 38 head-tailed proviruses in four predominant phyla of archaea.

ABSTRACT: Archaea play a significant role in natural ecosystems and the human body. Archaeal viruses exert a considerable influence on the structure and composition of archaeal communities and their associated ecological environments. The present study revealed the complete genomes of 38 archaeal head-tailed proviruses through comprehensive data mining. The hosts of these proviruses were identified as belonging to the following four dominant phyla: Halobacteriota, Thermoplasmatota, Thermoproteota, and Nanoarchaeota. In addition to the 14 proviruses of halophilic archaea related to the Graaviviridae family, the remaining proviruses exhibited limited genetic similarities to known (pro)viruses, suggesting the existence of 14 potential novel families. Of the 38 archaea

SUBMITTER: Xu T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11705971 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature