Virocell Metabolism: Metabolic Innovations During Host–Virus Interactions in the Ocean. Issue 10 (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosenwasser, Shilo; Ziv, Carmit; Creveld, Shiri Graff van; Vardi, Assaf
• Is Part Of: Trends in microbiology. Volume 24:Issue 10(2016)
• Page Start: 821
• Page End: 832
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: host–virus coevolution -- metabolic networks -- auxiliary metabolic genes -- marine viruses -- virocell phytoplankton -- large dsDNA viruses -- cyanophages; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; Virulence (Microbiology) -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Virulence -- Periodicals; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Infection -- Périodiques; Virulence (Microbiologie) -- Périodiques; Infection; Microbiology; Virulence (Microbiology); 579
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2016.06.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-842X

Abstract

Abstract : Marine viruses are considered to be major ecological, evolutionary, and biogeochemical drivers of the marine environment, responsible for nutrient recycling and determining species composition. Viruses can re-shape their host's metabolic network during infection, generating the virocell–a unique metabolic state that supports their specific requirement. Here we discuss the concept of 'virocell metabolism' and its formation by rewiring of host-encoded metabolic networks, or by introducing virus-encoded auxiliary metabolic genes which provide the virocell with novel metabolic capabilities. The ecological role of marine viruses is commonly assessed by their relative abundance and phylogenetic diversity, lacking the ability to assess the dynamics of active viral infection. The new ability to define a unique metabolic state of the virocell will expand the current virion-centric approaches in order to quantify the impact of marine viruses on microbial food webs. Trends: The remarkable effect of viruses on cellular metabolism points to the central role of metabolism in shaping the host–virus arms race in marine microbes. Virocell metabolism is a unique metabolic state, determined by modulation of host-derived metabolic genes and the introduction of virus-encoded auxiliary metabolic genes (vAMGs). vAMGs possess distinct biochemical characteristics and can drive the production of novel virus-derived metabolites. The high prevalence of vAMGs in the marine environment raises questions regarding their ecosystem function. Virocell metabolism can significantly affect viral replication cycles and host–virus coexistence and can re-shape the marine microbial metabolic seascape. Detection of virocell metabolic states could serve as biomarkers of active viral infection and its impact on the chemical and microbial composition in the marine environment.