Endogenized polinton-like viruses in the dinoflagellate <i>Oxyrrhis marina</i> uncover novel PolB fusion.

ABSTRACT: Marine viruses are ubiquitous entities that impact the biology of a large fraction of prokaryotic and eukaryotic diversity. Dinoflagellates are heterotrophic, mixotrophic and photosynthetic eukaryotes known for their large and complex nuclear genomes, permanently condensed chromosomes and ability to form toxic algal blooms. We used long-read sequencing to explore the genome of the dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina and discovered a novel, endogenized ~25 kbp polinton-like virus (PLV). O. marina PLV (OmPLV) resides primarily in low GC content regions and exhibits a distinctive codon usage pattern, suggesting recent endogenization. OmPLV fragmentation was also observed, suggesting that this element is evolving towards a transposable element-like lifestyle. Notably, OmPLV encodes a

SUBMITTER: Haro R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12721341 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature