Paper Summary
Single Virus Genome Analysis Reveals Diversity of River Viruses
Our laboratory has developed single-cell genome analysis technology for microorganisms and applied it mainly to bacteria and archaea. In this study, we developed a single-virus genome analysis technology, extending the target to viruses, and clarified the diversity and genetic profiles of viruses in river water.
This new technology allowed direct sequencing of the genome of each virus particle, and succeeded in analyzing a variety of viral genomes that could not be captured by conventional metagenomic analysis. As a result, 1,431 novel viral genomes were discovered, 99.5% of which were novel at the species level.
This study also revealed horizontal gene transfer between viruses and genetic diversity within the same virus species, particularly in methylation enzyme genes, which are important for evading host bacterial defense mechanisms.
This result will greatly contribute to our understanding of the diversity and functions of viruses in the environment, and may lead to the elucidation of microbial ecosystems and the development of new antiviral strategies.
This research was led by Nishikawa (AIST-Waseda OIL) and Wagatsuma (D3 student in Takeyama Lab, Waseda University) as first authors.
Large-scale single-virus genomics uncovers hidden diversity of river water viruses and diversified gene profiles Nishikawa Y, Wagatsuma R, Tsukada Y, Chia-ling L, Chijiiwa R, Hosokawa M , Takeyama H. ISME J. 2024 Jul 8 https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wrae124
