The Discovery of a New Mimivirus Isolate in Association with Virophage-Transpoviron Elements in Brazil Highlights the Main Genomic and Evolutionary Features of This Tripartite System.

ABSTRACT: Mimiviruses are giant viruses of amoeba that can be found in association with virophages. These satellite-like viruses are dependent on the mimivirus viral factory to replicate. Mimiviruses can also be associated with linear DNA molecules called transpovirons. Transpovirons and virophages are important drivers of giant virus evolution although they are still poorly studied elements. Here, we describe the isolation and genomic characterization of a mimivirus/virophage/transpoviron tripartite system from Brazil. We analyzed transmission electron microscopy images and performed genome sequencing and assembly, gene annotation, and phylogenetic analysis. Our data confirm the isolation of a lineage A mimivirus (1.2 Mb/1012 ORFs), called mimivirus argentum, and a sputnik virophage (18,880 bp/20 O

SUBMITTER: Azevedo BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8877843 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature