Viral speciation through subcellular genetic isolation and virogenesis incompatibility

Vorrapon Chaikeeratisak, Erica A. Birkholz, Amy M. Prichard, MacKennon E. Egan, Avani Mylvara, Poochit Nonejuie, Katrina T. Nguyen, Joseph Sugie, Justin R. Meyer and Joe Pogliano ()
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Vorrapon Chaikeeratisak: University of California
Erica A. Birkholz: University of California
Amy M. Prichard: University of California
MacKennon E. Egan: University of California
Avani Mylvara: University of California
Poochit Nonejuie: University of California
Katrina T. Nguyen: University of California
Joseph Sugie: University of California
Justin R. Meyer: University of California
Joe Pogliano: University of California

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Understanding how biological species arise is critical for understanding the evolution of life on Earth. Bioinformatic analyses have recently revealed that viruses, like multicellular life, form reproductively isolated biological species. Viruses are known to share high rates of genetic exchange, so how do they evolve genetic isolation? Here, we evaluate two related bacteriophages and describe three factors that limit genetic exchange between them: 1) A nucleus-like compartment that physically separates replicating phage genomes, thereby limiting inter-phage recombination during co-infection; 2) A tubulin-based spindle that orchestrates phage replication and forms nonfunctional hybrid polymers; and 3) A nuclear incompatibility factor that reduces phage fitness. Together, these traits maintain species differences through Subcellular Genetic Isolation where viral genomes are physically separated during co-infection, and Virogenesis Incompatibility in which the interaction of cross-species components interferes with viral production.

Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-20575-5

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20575-5

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