Researchers report the discovery via integrated metagenomic and laboratory techniques of the largest known marine virus genome that was found in predatory unicellular flagellates and contained nearly 900 proteins, many of which were previously unknown; the virus encodes three rhodopsins, which are photosensitive proteins that pump protons when illuminated, suggesting that giant marine viruses may confer phototrophic abilities on their hosts, according to the authors.
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Article #19-07517: "A distinct lineage of giant viruses brings a rhodopsin photosystem to unicellular marine predators," by David M. Needham et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Alexandra Z. Worden, GEOMAR Helmoltz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, GERMANY; e-mail: azworden@geomar.de
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences