Scientists have discovered a giant virus with unexpected features for the first time

Marine Giant: Scientists Discover Virus with Record-Long Appendage Attacking Plankton

Researchers presented a sensational discovery on the scientific portal BioRxiv - a unique virus with the longest known viral appendage has been found.

The new microscopic predator, named PelV-1, was identified in the northern part of the subtropical Pacific Ocean gyre. Its victim is Pelagodinium sp. dinoflagellate - a unicellular algae that plays a key role in symbiotic relationships with corals and other marine inhabitants. The virus impresses with its size: it has a giant capsid and two unusual structures - an incredibly long and flexible "tail" extending more than 2.3 micrometers, as well as a short massive appendage on the opposite side.

According to BioRxiv data, the virus's genetic material contains an impressive 459 thousand base pairs and includes dozens of unique genes. Its arsenal includes enzymes for the Krebs cycle, light-sensitive proteins and rhodopsin, aquaporins, and genes associated with photosynthesis. Thanks to this rich set of tools, the virus can radically restructure the metabolism of the captured cell, including its energy processes.

During the study, scientists also identified a second, less common virus - co-PelV, whose genome is even larger - 504 thousand base pairs. Both viruses belong to the Mesomimiviridae family and attack phytoplankton - a fundamental link in marine food chains. According to BioRxiv, these viruses are quite rare, and their further study opens new horizons in understanding the influence of viruses on the productivity of the World Ocean, global biochemical cycles, and climate processes on the planet.