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Research Highlights > Viruses
Some Like It (Very) Hot! …
HIV and SARS are household words because they cause important diseases. However,
most viruses are not disease causing; and they have played a central role in
our understanding of modern biology… from the discovery of DNA to the
role of viruses in driving evolution! Continuing in this tradition, an interdisciplinary
team of TBI scientists are focused on the discovery and characterization of
novel viruses from high temperature acidic environments found in Yellowstone
National Park. Detailed molecular analysis of these viruses is leading to new
insights into the unique biochemical adaptations required for life at high
temperatures. The development of techniques used to detect viruses in geothermal
environments can be adapted to other extreme environments such as on non-earth
based bodies. Why look for viruses in Yellowstone’s high temperature
environments? The study of viruses is an important tool for understanding how
biological environments function. Viruses are ubiquitous with life and are
molecular parasites within the cells they occupy, biochemically mimicking the
cellular environment in which they replicate.
Because viruses have no “universal gene” for use as a molecular
fish hook, TBI scientists had to develop techniques to identify viruses that
have potentially never been seen before. The perfecting of these techniques
made it evident that diverse viruses are abundant in Yellowstone’s geothermal
features.TBI virologist, Dr. Mark Young, along with several collaborators,
are the first scientists to systematically look for viruses in Yellowstone
high temperature environments greater than 80° C (176° F) with pH of
3 or lower, essentially the equivalent of looking for viruses replicating in
boiling acid! To date, the viruses discovered by Young and his collaborators
are completely novel and not related to viruses found at ‘normal’ temperatures.The
initial molecular characterization of these newly-discovered viruses has revealed
characteristics not previously seen in any other virus. For example, the high
resolution structure of one virus particle reveals an intricate surface architecture
with propeller-like protrusions extending away from the surface. The sequence
of its viral DNA genome revealed genes not related to any other known genes
in biology. These are exciting results as they strongly suggest that the function
of these new genes is related to unique requirements for life at high temperatures.
These findings have been published in the Proceeding of the National Academy
and the Journal of Virology.Where are we going next? An even more detailed
analysis of these viruses is being pursued. TBI member Martin Lawrence is using
the tools of x-ray crystallography to perform structural analysis at the atomic
resolution of the viral gene products. Simultaneously, a genetic approach is
being pursued by TBI faculty Mark Young and Trevor Douglas to unravel viral
gene function. One long-term goal is to determine how changes in the geochemistry
of particular Yellowstone thermal features alter the virus population structure
within that feature. We are also comparing the newly discovered Yellowstone
viruses with viruses found in other thermal features worldwide. And of course,
we continue to search for new viruses from Yellowstone’s extreme environments.
There is little doubt that Yellowstone’s thermal features will continue
to provide a rich source for scientific inquiries into life in extreme environments.
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