Characteristics and ecological functions of deep-sea viruses

The deep sea is one of the least-explored ecosystems on Earth. Deep-sea virus communities are crucial components of this ecosystem and play crucial roles in food webs and biogeochemical cycles. Viruses that infect bacteria and archaea in the deep sea regulate microbial abundance and community structure, thereby influencing nutrient cycling throughout the deep sea and extending to the global ocean. By manipulating microbial communities through cell lysis, viruses promote the release of organic carbon and enhance the host’s ability to adapt to extreme environments through the expression of auxiliary metabolic genes during host infection. This adaptation enables virus to thrive in the deep sea via lysogenic life strategies. However, our knowledge of deep-sea viruses remains limited. This review explores the importance of viruses in deep-sea ecosystems, focusing on their community structure, diversity, interactions with host cells, ecological functions, and impacts on biogeochemical cycles. It also highlights current challenges in deep-sea virology and provides prospects for future research into deep-sea viruses.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Characteristics and ecological functions of deep-sea viruses

Cited by 2 publications

References 34 publications

Effects of clay minerals on biogeochemical significance of viruses: A review

Effects of clay minerals on biogeochemical significance of viruses: A review

Diversity and Ecological Roles of Deep-Sea Viruses

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About