Phylogenetic analysis of PgV-102P, a new virus from the English Channel that infects Phaeocystis globosa

A new virus that infects the harmful algal bloom-forming microalga Phaeocystis globosa was isolated from surface water in the English Channel off the coast of Plymouth, UK, in May 2001. Phylogenetic analysis of the DNA polymerase gene revealed the virus isolate, designated PgV-102P, belongs to the family Phycodnaviridae, a group of large double-stranded DNA viruses known to infect algae. Basic characterization of PgV-102P revealed it was a lytic virus with a relatively slow culture lysis period of 10-days. The genome size (176 kbp) and capsid diameter (98 nm) of PgV-102P fall at the bottom end of the range expected for phycodnaviruses. Interestingly, PgV-102P did not cluster with other P. globosa viruses; instead, it was more closely related to other prymnesioviruses that infect the marine prymnesiophyte Chrysochromulina brevifilum. We discuss the effectiveness of DNA polymerase as a diagnostic marker. Although it is ideal for determining what family or even genus an algal virus belongs to, it is clear that the DNA polymerase gene does not have sufficient resolution when looking for relationships within algal virus genera.

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Isolation and Phylogenetic Analysis of Novel Viruses Infecting the Phytoplankton Phaeocystis globosa (Prymnesiophyceae)

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.70.6.3700-3705.2004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 70 (6) ◽

pp. 3700-3705 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

C. P. D. Brussaard ◽

S. M. Short ◽

C. M. Frederickson ◽

C. A. Suttle

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Dna Polymerase ◽

Coastal Waters ◽

Common Ancestor ◽

Genetic Relatedness ◽

Amino Acid Sequences ◽

Polymerase Gene ◽

Phaeocystis Globosa ◽

The Family ◽

Algal Host

ABSTRACT Viruses infecting the harmful bloom-causing alga Phaeocystis globosa (Prymnesiophyceae) were readily isolated from Dutch coastal waters (southern North Sea) in 2000 and 2001. Our data show a large increase in the abundance of putative P. globosa viruses during blooms of P. globosa, suggesting that viruses are an important source of mortality for this alga. In order to examine genetic relatedness among viruses infecting P. globosa and other phytoplankton, DNA polymerase gene (pol) fragments were amplified and the inferred amino acid sequences were phylogenetically analyzed. The results demonstrated that viruses infecting P. globosa formed a closely related monophyletic group within the family Phycodnaviridae, with at least 96.9% similarity to each other. The sequences grouped most closely with others from viruses that infect the prymnesiophyte algae Chrysochromulina brevifilum and Chrysochromulina strobilus. Whether the P. globosa viruses belong to the genus Prymnesiovirus or form a separate group needs further study. Our data suggest that, like their phytoplankton hosts, the Chrysochromulina and Phaeocystis viruses share a common ancestor and that these prymnesioviruses and their algal host have coevolved.

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Group II Nucleopolyhedrovirus Subgroups Revealed by Phylogenetic Analysis of Polyhedrin and DNA Polymerase Gene Sequences

Journal of Invertebrate Pathology ◽

10.1006/jipa.1998.4797 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

pp. 59-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 88

Author(s):

Dieter M. Bulach ◽

C.Ananth Kumar ◽

Angelo Zaia ◽

Bufeng Liang ◽

David E. Tribe

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Dna Polymerase ◽

Polymerase Gene ◽

Gene Sequences ◽

Dna Polymerase Gene ◽

Group Ii

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First Molecular Evidence for the Existence of Distinct Fish and Snake Adenoviruses

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.76.19.10056-10059.2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 76 (19) ◽

pp. 10056-10059 ◽

Cited By ~ 63

Author(s):

Mária Benkő ◽

Péter Élő ◽

Krisztina Ursu ◽

Winfried Ahne ◽

Scott E. LaPatra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Dna Polymerase ◽

New Genus ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

Polymerase Gene ◽

Snake Species ◽

Dna Polymerase Gene

ABSTRACT From adenovirus-like viruses originating from a fish and a snake species, a conserved part of the adenoviral DNA polymerase gene was PCR amplified, cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the snake adenovirus is closely related to the members of the proposed genus Atadenovirus, whereas the fish isolate seems to represent a separate cluster, likely a new genus.

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