Researchers at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa have made a groundbreaking discovery with the virus FloV-SA2, which infects ocean phytoplankton and encodes a ribosomal protein essential for ribosome production. This is the first known instance of a eukaryotic virus possessing such a capability, suggesting complex interactions between the virus and its host. The ribosome is crucial for translating genetic information into proteins, fundamental to cellular functions. The researchers hypothesize that FloV-SA2 uses a protein called eL40, typically provided by the host, to modify ribosome behavior, ensuring it preferentially translates viral messages over those of the host.
This discovery arose from an initiative by the Marine Viral Ecology Laboratories to catalog marine viruses. It highlights the role of viruses in ocean ecosystems, influencing productivity and community dynamics. FloV-SA2 is part of a broader category of ‘giant’ viruses that encode various proteins for metabolic processes, signaling a potential shift in understanding viral biology. By exploring how this viral protein alters ribosome function, researchers aim to unveil new mechanisms viruses use to exploit host cellular machinery. This study presents not only significant biological insights but also serves as a model for further investigations into viral interactions with ecosystems.
