Identification of hidden N4-like viruses and their interactions with hosts

mSystems. 2023 Oct 26;8(5):e0019723. doi: 10.1128/msystems.00197-23. Epub 2023 Sep 13.

Abstract

The findings of this study are significant, as N4-like viruses represent a unique viral lineage with a distinct replication mechanism and a conserved core genome. This work has resulted in a comprehensive global map of the entire N4-like viral lineage, including information on their distribution in different biomes, evolutionary divergence, genomic diversity, and the potential for viral-mediated host metabolic reprogramming. As such, this work significantly contributes to our understanding of the ecological function and viral-host interactions of bacteriophages.

Keywords: N4-like viruses; diversity; evolutionary divergence; genome; viral-mediated host metabolic reprogramming.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriophages* / genetics
  • Genome, Viral / genetics
  • Genomics
  • Phylogeny
  • Viruses* / genetics