Giant Viruses Encode Actin-Related Proteins.
Mol Biol Evol
; 39(2)2022 02 03.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35150280
ABSTRACT
The emergence of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton is a critical yet puzzling step of eukaryogenesis. Actin and actin-related proteins (ARPs) are ubiquitous components of this cytoskeleton. The gene repertoire of the Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor (LECA) would have therefore harbored both actin and various ARPs. Here, we report the presence and expression of actin-related genes in viral genomes (viractins) of some Imitervirales, a viral order encompassing the giant Mimiviridae. Phylogenetic analyses suggest an early recruitment of an actin-related gene by viruses from ancient protoeukaryotic hosts before the emergence of modern eukaryotes, possibly followed by a back transfer that gave rise to eukaryotic actins. This supports a coevolutionary scenario between pre-LECA lineages and their viruses, which could have contributed to the emergence of the modern eukaryotic cytoskeleton.
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Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Giant Viruses
Language:
En
Journal:
Mol Biol Evol
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: