Isolation and characterization of a new type of chlorovirus that infects an endosymbiotic Chlorella strain of the heliozoon Acanthocystis turfacea

• DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.81068-0
• Publication Date: 2005-09-26T17:52:32Z
• Authors: Julia A. Bubeck; Artur J. P. Pfitzner
• Keywords: Strain (injury); Isolation

A novel virus, named Acanthocystis turfacea Chlorella virus (ATCV), that infects endosymbiotic algae of the heliozoon was isolated from freshwater samples. Electron microscopic analysis ATCV revealed viral capsid has a distinct icosahedral shape with diameter 140-190 nm. Filamentous structures extending some vertices, which may aid attachment to host cells, were also observed. The is made up one major coat protein about 50 kDa and contains large dsDNA genome. member genus Chlorovirus, belongs family Phycodnaviridae, group large, icosahedral, dsDNA-containing viruses infect are ubiquitous in natural environments. However, clearly prototype Paramecium bursaria (PBCV-1), aspects its genome structure gene content therefore must be regarded as new viruses.