title: Viruses of the extremely thermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus.
abstract: Viruses of Sulfolobus are highly unusual in their morphology, and genome structure and sequence. Certain characteristics of the replication strategies of these viruses and the virus-host interactions suggest relationships with eukaryal and bacterial viruses, and the primeval existence of common ancestors. Moreover, studying these viruses led to the discovery of archaeal promoters and has provided tools for the development of the molecular genetics of these organisms. The Sulfolobus viruses contain unique regulatory features and structures that undoubtedly hold surprises for researchers in the future.
authors.affiliation: Universität Regensburg, Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie--Archaeenzentrum, Universitätsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany. david.prangishvili@biologie.uni-r.de
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prangishvili
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stedman
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zillig
mesh_terms: D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019241:Fuselloviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006358:Hot Temperature; D010802:Phylogeny; D016944:Sulfolobus / Q000821:virology*