biostudies-literatureStough JMADivision of Environmental BiologyKenneth & Blaire Mossman EndowmentGordon and Betty Moore FoundationNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaDivision of Integrative Organismal Systemse0184146https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5584929biostudies-literatureUnknown12(9)Microcystis aeruginosa is a freshwater bloom-forming cyanobacterium capable of producing the potent hepatotoxin, microcystin. Despite increased interest in this organism, little is known about the viruses that infect it and drive nutrient mobilization and transfer of genetic material between organisms. The genomic complement of sequenced phage suggests these viruses are capable of integrating into the host genome, though this activity has not been observed in the laboratory. While analyzing RNA-sequence data obtained from Microcystis blooms in Lake Tai (Taihu, China), we observed that a series of lysogeny-associated genes were highly expressed when genes involved in lytic infection were down-regulated. This pattern was consistent, though not always statistically significant, across multiplPloS oneMolecular prediction of lytic vs lysogenic states for Microcystis phage: Metatranscriptomic evidence of lysogeny during large bloom events.PMC5584929145152841471040412307441240870EMS#4971Boyer GLKrausfeldt LESteffen MMWilhelm SWGao GStough JMATang XfalseMolecular prediction of lytic vs lysogenic states for Microcystis phage: Metatranscriptomic evidence of lysogeny during large bloom events.Microcystis aeruginosa is a freshwater bloom-forming cyanobacterium capable of producing the potent hepatotoxin, microcystin. Despite increased interest in this organism, little is known about the viruses that infect it and drive nutrient mobilization and transfer of genetic material between organisms. The genomic complement of sequenced phage suggests these viruses are capable of integrating into the host genome, though this activity has not been observed in the laboratory. While analyzing RNA-sequence data obtained from Microcystis blooms in Lake Tai (Taihu, China), we observed that a series of lysogeny-associated genes were highly expressed when genes involved in lytic infection were down-regulated. This pattern was consistent, though not always statistically significant, across multipl2017-01-01T00:00:00Z20172025-05-31T23:29:41.034Z2025-05-31T23:29:41.034ZS-EPMC55849292887345610.1371/journal.pone.0184146