Astrovirology: Viral Diversity and Ecology in Extreme Environments

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Astrobiology Science Conference 2010 (2010) 5514.pdf ASTROVIROLOGY: VIRAL DIVERSITY AND ECOLOGY IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS. Geoffrey S. Diemer, Jennifer Kyle and Kenneth M. Stedman, Biology Department, Center for Life in Extreme Environments, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207-0751. [email protected]. We are investigating virus-host relationships and virus diversity in extreme-environment microbial eco- systems to understand the importance of viruses on primordial Earth. Boiling Springs Lake (BSL), located in Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA, U.S.A. is a large, acidic hotspring (pH 2.5, 55C-95C) supporting a microbial ecosystem comprised of Archaea, Bacteria and several species of unicellular Eukarya [1], [2]. BSL is thus an ideal environment for discovering viruses that infect extremophilic microorganisms from the major groups of cellular life. As no viruses of extremophilic eu- karyotes have yet been identified, study of BSL offers a unique opportunity for their discovery. BSL exhibits low pH and is predicted to precipitate the iron-bearing minerals jarosite and goethite. Both minerals have recently been detected in Martian soil by the Opportunity rover [3]. These minerals are posi- tively correlated with increased virus precipitation and binding to inorganic substrates. Thus, virus biosigna- tures may be present in BSL sediments. Recent bioinformatics research has identified so- called “virus hallmark genes” that are prevalent in large groups of viruses but have few, if any, cellular homologues. Analysis of this group of viral genes sug- gests that viruses have ancient, possibly pre-cellular origins [4]. In conjunction with the Broad Institute, we are generating a metavirome of ca. 100,000 sequences from BSL sediments to address virus diversity, preva- lence and presense of hallmark genes in this primordial ecosystem. A preliminary analysis of this dataset will be presented. References: [1] Wilson, M.S., et al. (2008) Microb Ecol., 56(2), 292-305. [2] Brown, P.B., Wolfe, G.V. (2006) J Eukaryot Microbiol, 53(6), 420-31. [3] Kling- elhöfer, G. et al., (2004) Science, 306(5702), 1740 - 1745 [4] Koonin, E.V., Senkevich, T.G., Dolja, V.V., (2006) Biol Direct, vol. 1. .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Microbiology Society
MICROBIOLOGY TODAY 47:1 May 2020 Microbiology Today May 2020 47:1 Why Microbiology Matters – 75th anniversary issue Why Microbiology Matters We are celebrating our 75th anniversary by showcasing why microbiology matters and the impact of microbiologists past, present and future. MICROBIOLOGY TODAY 47:1 May 2020 Microbiology Today May 2020 47:1 Why Microbiology Matters – 75th anniversary issue Why Microbiology Matters We are celebrating our 75th anniversary by showcasing why microbiology matters and the impact of microbiologists past, present and future. Editorial Welcome to Microbiology Today, which has a new look. This issue is the first of two special editions of the magazine to be published in the 75th anniversary year of the Microbiology Society. As we look back and celebrate during 2020, we are also considering ‘Why Microbiology Matters’. The longer you think about it, the more you realise how in so many ways it does. Whole Picture ince the first observations of microbes by Antonie van thrive in extreme conditions and are found in every niche Leeuwenhoek in the 1600s, our understanding of how around the globe. Smicrobes underpin and impact our lives has advanced Part of the reason for the success of microbes in these considerably. From discovering their life cycles and roles within varied environments is their genetic plasticity. Charles Dorman various environmental niches to harnessing them in industrial introduces the next section on microbial genetics and the role processes, and, not least, our ability to utilise them for good, to it has played in advancing modern biotechnology. From the vaccinate and treat diseases, with many diseases now known original discovery of restriction enzymes through to potential to be caused by microbes.
[Show full text]
Mapping Disciplinary Relationships in Astrobiology: 2001-2012
Western Washington University Western CEDAR WWU Graduate School Collection WWU Graduate and Undergraduate Scholarship 2014 Mapping disciplinary relationships in Astrobiology: 2001-2012 Jason W. Cornell Western Washington University Follow this and additional works at: https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwuet Part of the Geography Commons Recommended Citation Cornell, Jason W., "Mapping disciplinary relationships in Astrobiology: 2001-2012" (2014). WWU Graduate School Collection. 387. https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwuet/387 This Masters Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the WWU Graduate and Undergraduate Scholarship at Western CEDAR. It has been accepted for inclusion in WWU Graduate School Collection by an authorized administrator of Western CEDAR. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Mapping Disciplinary Relationships in Astrobiology: 2001 - 2012 By Jason W. Cornell Accepted in Partial Completion Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science Kathleen L. Kitto, Dean of the Graduate School ADVISORY COMMITTEE Chair, Dr. Gigi Berardi Dr. Linda Billings Dr. David Rossiter ! ! MASTER’S THESIS In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master’s degree at Western Washington University, I grant to Western Washington University the non-exclusive royalty-free right to archive, reproduce, distribute, and display the thesis in any and all forms, including electronic format, via any digital library mechanisms maintained by WWU. I represent and warrant this is my original work, and does not infringe or violate any rights of others. I warrant that I have obtained written permission from the owner of any third party copyrighted material included in these files. I acknowledge that I retain ownership rights to the copyright of this work, including but not limited to the right to use all or part of this work in future works, such as articles or books.
[Show full text]
An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS This PDF is available at http://nap.edu/25252 SHARE An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe DETAILS 196 pages | 8.5 x 11 | PAPERBACK ISBN 978-0-309-48416-9 | DOI 10.17226/25252 CONTRIBUTORS GET THIS BOOK Committee on the Astrobiology Science Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe; Space Studies Board; Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine FIND RELATED TITLES Visit the National Academies Press at NAP.edu and login or register to get: – Access to free PDF downloads of thousands of scientiﬁc reports – 10% off the price of print titles – Email or social media notiﬁcations of new titles related to your interests – Special offers and discounts Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the National Academies Press. (Request Permission) Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe Prepublication Copy – Subject to Further Editorial Correction An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe Committee on the Astrobiology Science Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe Space Studies Board Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences A Consensus Study Report of PREPUBLICATION COPY – SUBJECT TO FURTHER EDITORIAL CORRECTION Copyright National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 This study is based on work supported by the Contract NNH17CB02B with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
[Show full text]
Activity Report 2019
1 SETI Institute Activity Report 2019 The SETI Institute: 189 Bernardo Avenue, Suite 200, Mountain View, CA 94043. Phone: (650) 961-6633 2 Table of Contents • Peer-Reviewed Publications, 3 • Abstracts and Conference Proceedings, 15 • Technical Reports & Data Releases, 30 • Media Coverage, 33 • Speaking Engagements, 41 • Highlights, 46 • Fieldwork, 49 • Honors & Awards, 50 • Missions, Telescope Time, Strategic Planning, 55 • Summer Internships, 59 • Acknowledgments,61 The SETI Institute: 189 Bernardo Avenue #200, Mountain View, CA 90443. Phone: (650) 061-6633 3 Peer-Reviewed Publications 4 1. Abdalla H, Aharonian F, Ait Benkhali F, Anguner EO, 14. Beaty DW, MM Grady, HY McSween, E Sefton-Nash, BL Arakawa M, et al., including Huber D (2019). VHE γ-ray Carrier, et al., including JL Bishop, (2019). The potential discovery and multiwavelength study of the blazar 1ES 2322- science and engineering value of samples delivered to Earth 409. MNRAS 482, 3011-3022. by Mars sample return. 54, S3-S152. 2. Abdalla H, Aharonian F, Ait Benkhali F, Anguner EO, 15. Becker JC, Vanderburg A, Rodriguez JE, Omohundro M, Arakawa M, et al., including Huber D (2019). The 2014 TeV Adams FC, et al., including Huber D (2019). A Discrete Set γ-Ray Flare of Mrk 501 Seen with H.E.S.S.: Temporal and of Possible Transit Ephemerides for Two Long-period Gas Spectral Constraints on Lorentz Invariance Violation. Giants Orbiting HIP 41378. Astron. J. 157, id.19, 13pp. Astrophys. J. 870, id.93, 9pp. 16. Bera PP, Huang X, and Lee TJ (2019) Highly Accurate 3. Abdalla H, Aharonian F, Ait Benkhali F, Anguner EO, Quartic Force Field and Rovibrational Spectroscopic Arakawa M, et al., including Huber D (2019).
[Show full text]
World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) Executive Summary (For Extension Application Screening)
World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) Executive Summary (For Extension Application Screening) Host Institution Tokyo Institute of Technology Host Institution Head Kazuya Masu Research Center Earth-Life Science Institute Center Director Kei Hirose Instruction: Based on the Center’s Progress Report and Progress Plan, prepare this summary within 6 pages. A. Progress Report of the WPI Center I. Summary The production of life from non-living matter has been solved at least once, not by humans but rather by naturally occurring processes on the early Earth, more than 3.8 billion years ago. ELSI is inspired by the idea of following this successful historical example as both a scientific and organizational strategy to solve the challenging puzzle of the origins of life. This novel idea motivates a new kind of adaptive organization that evolves with the science, and creates opportunities that would not otherwise exist. We diversify our intellectual lineages (internationalization), we catalyze novel evolutionary innovations by concentrating and cross-fertilizing ideas from multiple fields (fusion), and we establish a unique culture that is adapted to our needs (reform). ELSI creates value, and multiplies both the scientific and financial investments made by its researchers and benefactors. This is evidenced by the scientific and organizational breakthroughs, the new opportunities, connections, visions, solutions, and discoveries that ELSI makes possible as an institute. The assembly of a leading team of scientists to ELSI guaranteed that we would produce great science, but we have gone much further by achieving results (scientifically and organizationally) that would not have been possible without ELSI serving as a primary catalyst.
[Show full text]
What Is Life?
HYPOTHESIS AND THEORY published: 18 March 2020 doi: 10.3389/fspas.2020.00007 What is Life? Guenther Witzany* Telos-Philosophische Praxis, Buermoos, Austria In searching for life in extraterrestrial space, it is essential to act based on an unequivocal definition of life. In the twentieth century, life was defined as cells that self-replicate, metabolize, and are open for mutations, without which genetic information would remain unchangeable, and evolution would be impossible. Current definitions of life derive from statistical mechanics, physics, and chemistry of the twentieth century in which life is considered to function machine like, ignoring a central role of communication. Recent observations show that context-dependent meaningful communication and network formation (and control) are central to all life forms. Evolutionary relevant new nucleotide sequences now appear to have originated from social agents such as viruses, their parasitic relatives, and related RNA networks, not from errors. By applying the known features of natural languages and communication, a new twenty-first century definition of life can be reached in which communicative interactions are central to all processes of life. A new definition of life must integrate the current empirical knowledge about interactions between cells, viruses, and RNA networks to provide a better explanatory power than Edited by: the twentieth century narrative. Tetyana Milojevic, University of Vienna, Austria Keywords: sign mediated interactions, communication, cellular life, viruses, RNAs, evolution, essential agents of life, biocommunication Reviewed by: Jordi Gómez, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra INTRODUCTION (IPBLN), Spain Luis Villarreal, Scientifically, the first half of the twentieth century was the most successful period for empirically University of California, Irvine, based sciences.
[Show full text]
Microbial Pathogenicity in Space
pathogens Review Microbial Pathogenicity in Space Marta Filipa Simões 1,2,* and André Antunes 1,2 1 State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences (SKLPlanets), Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau, China; [email protected] 2 China National Space Administration (CNSA), Macau Center for Space Exploration and Science, Macau, China * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: After a less dynamic period, space exploration is now booming. There has been a sharp increase in the number of current missions and also of those being planned for the near future. Microorganisms will be an inevitable component of these missions, mostly because they hitchhike, either attached to space technology, like spaceships or spacesuits, to organic matter and even to us (human microbiome), or to other life forms we carry on our missions. Basically, we never travel alone. Therefore, we need to have a clear understanding of how dangerous our “travel buddies” can be; given that, during space missions, our access to medical assistance and medical drugs will be very limited. Do we explore space together with pathogenic microorganisms? Do our hitchhikers adapt to the space conditions, as well as we do? Do they become pathogenic during that adaptation process? The current review intends to better clarify these questions in order to facilitate future activities in space. More technological advances are needed to guarantee the success of all missions and assure the reduction of any possible health and environmental risks for the astronauts and for the locations being explored. Keywords: space exploration; microgravity; microorganisms; pathogens Citation: Simões, M.F.; Antunes, A.
[Show full text]
Article in Astrobiol- an Numbers Associated with Astronomy and Virology
ABOUT THE COVER Charles Burchfield,Orion in December, 1959 (detail). Watercolor and pencil on paper. 39 7/8 in x 32 7/8 in/101.2 x 83.4 cm. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., 1969.47.53. Hunters Searching among Starry Nights and at the Edges of Life Byron Breedlove stronomers and astrophysicists work with edge of the Milky Way, past neighboring galaxies, to Aimmense, mind-boggling numbers. Caleb A. reach a height of 200 million light years.” Scharf, Director of Astrobiology at Columbia Univer- Viruses, which have no cell nucleus and consist of sity, writes “On a finite world a cosmic perspective DNA or RNA enveloped in a protein, are not classi- isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.” Consider that the dis- fied among the 5 kingdoms of living things: bacteria, tance between the earth and sun equals ≈100 million fungi, protists, plants, and animals. Debate lingers miles. One of the nearest stars to Earth, Alpha Cen- about whether viruses are alive. Virologists Marc tauri shimmers some 4.4 light-years away. Put anoth- H.V. van Regenmortel and Brian W.J. Mahy explain er way, if the distance from the earth to the sun were that “A virus becomes part of a living system only af- fixed at 1 inch, then one of Earth’s closest neighbors ter it has infected a host cell and its genome becomes would be 4.4 miles (7 km) distant. The Milky Way, integrated with that of the cell. Viruses are replicated our home galaxy, comprises something in the range only through the metabolic activities of infected cells, of 200–300 billion stars.
[Show full text]
An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe
Prepublication Copy – Subject to Further Editorial Correction An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe ADVANCE COPY NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE BEFORE October 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. ___________________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE CITE AS A REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING, AND MEDICINE Committee on the Astrobiology Science Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe Space Studies Board Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences A Consensus Study Report of PREPUBLICATION COPY – SUBJECT TO FURTHER EDITORIAL CORRECTION THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 This study is based on work supported by the Contract NNH17CB02B with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organization or agency that provided support for the project. International Standard Book Number-13: 978-0-309-XXXXX-X International Standard Book Number-10: 0-309-XXXXX-X Digital Object Identifier: https://doi.org/10.17226/25252 Copies of this report are available free of charge from: Space Studies Board National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Additional copies of this report are available from the National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Keck 360, Washington, DC 20001; (800) 624-6242 or (202) 334-3313; http://www.nap.edu. Copyright 2018 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America Suggested Citation: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
[Show full text]
Structures of Filamentous Viruses Infecting Hyperthermophilic Archaea
Structures of filamentous viruses infecting INAUGURAL ARTICLE hyperthermophilic archaea explain DNA stabilization in extreme environments Fengbin Wanga,1, Diana P. Baquerob,c,1, Leticia C. Beltrana, Zhangli Sua, Tomasz Osinskia, Weili Zhenga, David Prangishvilib,d, Mart Krupovicb,2, and Edward H. Egelmana,2 aDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908; bArchaeal Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France; cCollège Doctoral, Sorbonne Universités, 75005 Paris, France; and dAcademia Europaea Tbilisi Regional Knowledge Hub, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, 0179 Tbilisi, Georgia This contribution is part of the special series of Inaugural Articles by members of the National Academy of Sciences elected in 2019. Contributed by Edward H. Egelman, June 26, 2020 (sent for review June 1, 2020; reviewed by Tanmay A. M. Bharat and Jack E. Johnson) Living organisms expend metabolic energy to repair and maintain some instances, there may only be a single protein (present in their genomes, while viruses protect their genetic material by many copies) in a virion (8). Viruses that infect archaea have completely passive means. We have used cryo-electron microscopy been of particular interest (9–12), as many of these have been (cryo-EM) to solve the atomic structures of two filamentous found in the most extreme aquatic environments on earth: double-stranded DNA viruses that infect archaeal hosts living in Temperatures of 80 to 90 °C with pH values of ∼2to3.How nearly boiling acid: Saccharolobus solfataricus rod-shaped virus 1 DNA genomes can be passively maintained in such conditions Sulfolobus islandicus (SSRV1), at 2.8-Å resolution, and filamentous is of interest not only in terms of evolutionary biology and virus (SIFV), at 4.0-Å resolution.
[Show full text]
Astrovirology: Viruses at Large in the Universe
ASTROBIOLOGY Volume 18, Number 2, 2018 Review Article ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/ast.2017.1649 Astrovirology: Viruses at Large in the Universe Aaron J. Berliner,1 Tomohiro Mochizuki,2 and Kenneth M. Stedman3 Abstract Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on modern Earth. They are highly diverse both in structure and genomic sequence, play critical roles in evolution, strongly influence terran biogeochemistry, and are believed to have played important roles in the origin and evolution of life. However, there is yet very little focus on viruses in astrobiology. Viruses arguably have coexisted with cellular life-forms since the earliest stages of life, may have been directly involved therein, and have profoundly influenced cellular evolution. Viruses are the only entities on modern Earth to use either RNA or DNA in both single- and double-stranded forms for their genetic material and thus may provide a model for the putative RNA-protein world. With this review, we hope to inspire integration of virus research into astrobiology and also point out pressing unanswered questions in astrovirology, particularly regarding the detection of virus biosignatures and whether viruses could be spread extraterrestrially. We present basic virology principles, an inclusive definition of viruses, review current vi- rology research pertinent to astrobiology, and propose ideas for future astrovirology research foci. Key Words: Astrobiology—Virology—Biosignatures—Origin of life—Roadmap. Astrobiology 18, 207–223. 1.1. Where Are Viruses in Astrobiology? ger communication across disciplinary boundaries. Table 1 describes these goals and subgoals in relationship to how vi- e consider viruses to be central to multiple aspects of rology can be considered an integral component of astrobiology.
[Show full text]
Advancements of Microbiology 2019
POLSKIE TOWARZYSTWO MIKROBIOLOGÓW Kwartalnik Tom 58 Zeszyt 4•2019 PAèDZIERNIK – GRUDZIE¡ CODEN: PMKMAV 58 (4) Advancements of Microbiology 2019 Index Copernicus ICV = 101,48 (2017) Impact Factor ISI = 0,298 (2018) Punktacja MNiSW = 20,00 (2019) http://www.pm.microbiology.plhttp://www.pm.microbiology.pl RADA REDAKCYJNA JACEK BARDOWSKI (Instytut Biochemii i Biofizyki PAN), DARIUSZ BARTOSIK (Uniwersytet Warszawski), JACEK BIELECKI (Uniwersytet Warszawski), RYSZARD CHRÓST (Uniwersytet Warszawski), JERZY DŁUGOŃSKI (Uniwersytet Łódzki), NADZIEJA DRELA (Uniwersytet Warszawski), EUGENIA GOSPODAREK-KOMKOWSKA (Collegium Medicum w Bydgoszczy, Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu), JERZY HREBENDA (Uniwersytet Warszawski), WALERIA HRYNIEWICZ (Narodowy Instytut Leków), MAREK JAKÓBISIAK (Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny), JACEK MIĘDZOBRODZKI (Uniwersytet Jagielloński), ANDRZEJ PIEKAROWICZ (Uniwersytet Warszawski), ANTONI RÓŻALSKI (Uniwersytet Łódzki), ALEKSANDRA SKŁODOWSKA (Uniwersytet Warszawski), RADOSŁAW STACHOWIAK (Uniwersytet Warszawski), BOGUSŁAW SZEWCZYK (Uniwersytet Gdański), ELŻBIETA TRAFNY (Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna), STANISŁAWA TYLEWSKA-WIERZBANOWSKA (Narodowy Instytut Zdrowia Publicznego), GRZEGORZ WĘGRZYN (Uniwersytet Gdański), PIOTR ZIELENKIEWICZ (Uniwersytet Warszawski) REDAKCJA JACEK BIELECKI (Redaktor Naczelny) Instytut Mikrobiologii, Wydział Biologii, Uniwersytet Warszawski, ul. Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warszawa; tel. 22 5541304; e-mail: [email protected] RADOSŁAW STACHOWIAK (Zastępca) Instytut Mikrobiologii, Wydział Biologii,
[Show full text]