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Multiple variants of the archaeal DNA rudivirus SIRV1 in a single host and a novel mechanism of genomic variation
Author(s) -
Peng Xu,
Kessler Alexandra,
Phan Hien,
Garrett Roger A.,
Prangishvili David
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2004.04287.x
Subject(s) - biology , genome , genetics , gene , population , sulfolobus , genomic dna , dna sequencing , intron , dna , genomics , archaea , demography , sociology
Summary The DNA rudivirus SIRV1 of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus shows exceptional properties. Viral isolates invariably contain a population of variants with different but closely related genomes. Upon propagation in a given host strain, one or more genomes dominate in the viral population. However, upon passage into a new host strain the viral population undergoes changes and other dominant variants are selected. Sequencing and analysis of the variant genomes revealed that major differences occur in gene order, gene size and gene content at localized genomic sites. A previously unknown mechanism of genomic rearrangement involving putative 12 bp archaeal introns appears to facilitate alteration of the variant genomes. Inter‐genomic recombination between the different variants also occurs. The variant genomes exhibit signature tetranucleotide sequences near their putative sites for replication initiation.