Mimivirus inaugurated in the 21st century the beginning of a reclassification of viruses. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, Vikas; Colson, Philippe; Pontarotti, Pierre; Raoult, Didier
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in microbiology. Volume 31(2016)
• Page Start: 16
• Page End: 24
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2015.12.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-5274

Abstract

Highlights: Giant viruses differ from other viruses and from cells that have a ribosome. They are bona fide microbes. They are specific, autonomous, biological entities. They warrant the creation of a new branch of microbes. Abstract : Mimivirus and other giant viruses are visible by light microscopy and bona fide microbes that differ from other viruses and from cells that have a ribosome. They can be defined by: giant virion and genome sizes; their complexity, with the presence of DNA and mRNAs and dozens or hundreds of proteins in virions; the presence of translation-associated components; a mobilome including (pro)virophages (and a defence mechanism, named MIMIVIRE, against them) and transpovirons; their monophyly; the presence of the most archaic protein motifs they share with cellular organisms but not other viruses; a broader host range than other viruses. These features show that giant viruses are specific, autonomous, biological entities that warrant the creation of a new branch of microbes.