Extracellular DNA can preserve the genetic signatures of present and past viral infection events in deep hypersaline anoxic basins.

ABSTRACT: Deep hypersaline anoxic basins (DHABs) of the Mediterranean Sea are among the most extreme ecosystems on Earth and host abundant, active and diversified prokaryotic assemblages. However, factors influencing biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are still largely unknown. We investigated, for the first time, the impact of viruses on the prokaryotic assemblages and dynamics of extracellular DNA pool in the sediments of La Medee, the largest DHAB found on Earth. We also compared, in La Medee and L'Atalante sediments, the diversity of prokaryotic 16S rDNA sequences contained in the extracellular DNA released by virus-induced prokaryotic mortality. We found that DHAB sediments are hot-spots of viral infections, which largely contribute to the release of high amounts of extracellular DNA. DNase

SUBMITTER: Corinaldesi C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4027399 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature