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. 2001 Nov 6;98(23):13341-5.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.231170198. Epub 2001 Oct 23.

Viruses from extreme thermal environments

G Rice  1 , K Stedman, J Snyder, B Wiedenheft, D Willits, S Brumfield, T McDermott, M J Young
Affiliations

Viruses from extreme thermal environments

G Rice et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. .

Abstract

Viruses of extreme thermophiles are of great interest because they serve as model systems for understanding the biochemistry and molecular biology required for life at high temperatures. In this work, we report the discovery, isolation, and preliminary characterization of viruses and virus-like particles from extreme thermal acidic environments (70-92 degrees C, pH 1.0-4.5) found in Yellowstone National Park. Six unique particle morphologies were found in Sulfolobus enrichment cultures. Three of the particle morphologies are similar to viruses previously isolated from Sulfolobus species from Iceland and/or Japan. Sequence analysis of their viral genomes suggests that they are related to the Icelandic and Japanese isolates. In addition, three virus particle morphologies that had not been previously observed from thermal environments were found. These viruses appear to be completely novel in nature.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Transmission electron micrographs of virus and virus-like particles isolated from YNP. (A) SSV1 Fusellovirus, (B) SIRV Rudivirus, and (C) SIFV Lipothrixvrus previously isolated from thermal areas of Japan or Iceland (kindly provided by W. Zillig, Max-Planck Institut für Biochemie, Martinsried, Germany). (D) SSV-like, (E) SIRV-like, and (F) SIFV-like particle morphologies isolated from YNP thermal features. (G–I) Virus-like P articles isolated from YNP thermal features. (Bars indicate 100 nm.)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Dendrogram from sequence alignment of SSV VP3 protein sequences [phylip (19); biology work bench (http://workbench.sdsc.edu)].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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