The genomes of nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses: viral evolution writ large.

ABSTRACT: The nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs) are a diverse group that currently contain the largest known virions and genomes, also called giant viruses. The first giant virus was isolated and described nearly 20 years ago. Their genome sizes were larger than for any other known virus at the time and it contained a number of genes that had not been previously described in any virus. The origin and evolution of these unusually complex viruses has been puzzling, and various mechanisms have been put forward to explain how some NCLDVs could have reached genome sizes and coding capacity overlapping with those of cellular microbes. Here we critically discuss the evidence and arguments on this topic. We have also updated and systematically reanalysed protein families of the NCLDVs to further

SUBMITTER: Monttinen HAM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8715426 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature