Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: Current understanding of microorganism-virus interactions, which shape the evolution and functioning of Earth's ecosystems, is based primarily on cultivated organisms. Here we investigate thousands of viral and microbial genomes recovered using a cultivation-independent approach to study the frequency, variety and taxonomic distribution of viral defence mechanisms. CRISPR-Cas systems that confer microorganisms with immunity to viruses are present in only 10% of 1,724 sampled microorganisms, compared with previous reports of 40% occurrence in bacteria and 81% in archaea. We attribute this large difference to the lack of CRISPR-Cas systems across major bacterial lineages that have no cultivated representatives. We correlate absence of CRISPR-Cas with lack of nucleotide biosynthesis capacity and a symbiotic lifestyle. Restriction systems are well represented in these lineages and might provide both non-specific viral defence and access to nucleotides.
Source: Nature Communications
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10613
Language: English
Subfield: Virology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Awards: G1286236842, G1337544421, G223002938, TAS::89 0222::TAS DEVELOPMENT OF A KNOWLEDGEBASE TO INTEGRATE, ANALYZE, DISTRIBUTE, AND VISUALIZE MICROBIAL COMMUNITY SYSTEMS BIOLOGY DATA, G3083819904, G419881185, G42916606, G4501827968, G4690977600, G498139845, G6652958823, G7205239661, G7787287669, G834277795, G969889393
OpenAlex ID: W2260201183