Lateral gene transfer, lineage-specific gene expansion and the evolution of Nucleo Cytoplasmic Large DNA viruses.
Nucleo Cytoplasmic Large DNA viruses (NCLDVs) are a diverse group that infects a wide range of eukaryotic hosts (for example, vertebrates, insects, protists,...) and also show a huge range in genome size (between 100kb and 1.2Mb). Here I review some recent results that shed light on the origin and genome evolution of these viruses. Current data suggests that NCLDVs could have originated from a simple and ancient viral ancestor with a small subset of 30-35 genes encoding replication and structural proteins. Subsequent lateral gene transfer of both cellular genes and diverse families of Mobile Genetic Elements, followed by massive lineage-specific gene duplications is probably responsible for the huge diversity of genome size and composition found in extant NCLDVs.
Filée
Jonathan
J
Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes et Spéciation, CNRS UPR 9034, Gif sur Yvette cedex, France. jonathan.filee@legs.cnrs-gif.fr
D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000821:virology*; D004267:DNA Viruses / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D005814:Genes, Viral; D016679:Genome, Viral