Phycodnaviruses are dsDNA viruses, which infect algae. Their large genomes encode many gene products, like small K+channels, with homologs in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Screening for K+channels revealed their abundance in viruses from fresh-water habitats. Recent sequencing of viruses from marine algae or from salt water in Antarctica revealed sequences with the predicted characteristics of K+channels but with some unexpected features. Two genes encode either 78 or 79 amino acid proteins, which are the smallest known K+channels. Also of interest is an unusual sequence in the canonical α-helixes in K+channels. Structural prediction algorithms indicate that the new channels have the conserved α-helix folds but the algorithms failed to identify the expected transmembrane domains flanking the K+channel pores. In spite of these unexpected properties electophysiological studies confirmed that the new proteins are functional K+channels.
Titolo: | Viruses infecting marine picoplancton encode functional potassium ion channels |
Autori: | |
Parole Chiave: | K+ channel evolution; Kcv; Chlorella viruses; Algal viruses; Virus evolution |
Settore Scientifico Disciplinare: | Settore BIO/04 - Fisiologia Vegetale |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2014 |
Rivista: | |
Tipologia: | Article (author) |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | 10.1016/j.virol.2014.05.002 |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 01 - Articolo su periodico |
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