Gene transfers enhance photosynthesis: marine viruses

Marine viruses (called cyanophages) that infect cyanobacteria enhance photosynthesis in their hosts by displacing host photosynthesis genes with viral-encoded homologues.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Regulate physiological processes >
	Cellular processes

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Reduce carbon fixation by mimicking virus and bacteria photosynthesis.

[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Cyanophages are double-stranded DNA viruses belonging to three morphologically defined families: Podoviridae, Myoviridae, and Siphoviridae [3–5,9,10]. Among the cyanophages, podoviruses and siphoviruses tend to be very host-specific, whereas myoviruses generally have a broader host range, even across genera [5], and thus are potential vectors for horizontal gene transfer via transduction. The movement of genes between organisms is an important mechanism in evolution. As agents of gene transfer, phages play a role in host evolution by supplying the host with new genetic material [11–15] and by displacing 'host' genes with viral-encoded homologues [16–18]…Because maximal cyanophage production is dependent on photosynthesis [31,33], and the host PsbA protein turns over rapidly [34] and declines during infection [31], expression of these phage-encoded genes likely enhances photosynthesis during infection, thus increasing cyanophage fitness." (Sullivan et al. 2006:1344-1345)

About the inspiring organism

Podoviridae
Podoviridae

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Reduce carbon fixation by mimicking virus and bacteria photosynthesis.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Climate change, energy, aquaculture

Experts

Chisholm Lab
Sallie W. Chisholm
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

References

Sullivan, M. B.; Lindell, D.; Lee, J. A.; Thompson, L. R.; Bielawski, J. P.; Chisholm, S. W. 2006. Prevalence and evolution of core photosystem II genes in marine cyanobacterial viruses and their hosts. PLoS Biol. 4(8): e234.

Gene transfers enhance photosynthesis: marine viruses

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