Evidence for photosynthetic independence of viral multiplication in cyanophage LPP-1 infected cyanobacteriumPhormidium uncinatum

Abstract

Pigment decomposition, oxygen evolution and CO2 fixation were measured in the cyanobacterium Phormidium uncinatum after infection with cyanophage LPP‐1, under light and dark conditions. A gradual decrease in para benzoquinone supported O2 evolution, chlorophyll a and phycocyanin level were noticed after 6 h of infection. These results demonstrated decreased photosynthetic activity of the host P. uncinatum prior to the start of LPP‐1 multiplication. Metabolic inhibitor investigations confirmed that the cyanophage LPP‐1 multiplication was independent of host photosynthesis.

Effect of viral infection on sinking rates of Heterosigma akashiwo and its implications for bloom termination

“…As nucleic acid and protein synthesis are energy-consuming processes, H. akashiwo cells must either have sufficient energy stores to allow the lytic cycle to continue, or they must produce enough energy in the dark to drive these processes. Some cyanophage-host systems produce viruses in the dark, using energy from cyclic photophosphorylation and/or oxidative phosphorylation for viral synthesis (Padan et al 1970, Sherman & Haselkorn 1971, Adolph & Haselkorn 1972, Allen & Hutchison 1976, Bisen et al 1988. The net result is that sinking infected cells will still undergo lysis in the dark and release progeny viruses into the environment.…”