Virology: independent virus development outside a host.
Viruses are thought to be functionally inactive once they are outside and independent of their host cell. Here we describe an exceptional property of a newly discovered virus that infects a hyperthermophilic archaeon growing in acidic hot springs: the lemon-shaped viral particle develops a very long tail at each of its pointed ends after being released from its host cell. The process occurs only at the temperature of the host's habitat (75-90 degrees C) and it does not require the presence of the host cell, an exogenous energy source or any cofactors. This host-independent morphological development may be a strategy for viral survival in an environment that is unusually harsh and has limited host availability.
Häring
Monika
M
Molecular Biology of the Gene in Extremophiles Unit, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.
Vestergaard
Gisle
G
Rachel
Reinhard
R
Chen
Lanming
L
Garrett
Roger A
RA
Prangishvili
David
D
D041541:Acidianus / Q000821:virology*; D023641:Archaeal Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D045482:Hot Springs / Q000821:virology; D007558:Italy; D019065:Virus Assembly