Virus Silicification under Simulated Hot Spring Conditions

Laidler, James R.; Stedman, Kenneth M.

doi:10.1089/ast.2010.0463

Cited by 41 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 104 publications

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“…2b) suggests that the spontaneously-formed silica deposit probably rapidly entrapped numerous SIRV2 particles, as was observed by Laidler and Stedman (2010). Some particles were barely observable as dark outlines within the mineral precipitate (Fig.…”

Section: Fossilisation Of the Virusessupporting

confidence: 63%

“…Poinar and Poinar (2005) reported the possible presence of preserved viruses in 15 to 100 Ma insect preserved in amber. Laidler and Stedman (2010) monitored the experimental fossilisation of bacteriophage T4 for a few days under simulated hot spring silicifying conditions and showed that silica could precipitate around viral structures and preserve them.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental fossilisation of viruses from extremophilic Archaea

et al. 2011

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Abstract. The role of viruses at different stages of the origin of life has recently been reconsidered. It appears that viruses may have accompanied the earliest forms of life, allowing the transition from an RNA to a DNA world and possibly being involved in the shaping of tree of life in the three domains that we know presently. In addition, a large variety of viruses has been recently identified in extreme environments, hosted by extremophilic microorganisms, in ecosystems considered as analogues to those of the early Earth. Traces of life on the early Earth were preserved by the precipitation of silica on the organic structures. We present the results of the first experimental fossilisation by silica of viruses from extremophilic Archaea (SIRV2 -Sulfolobus islandicus rod-shaped virus 2, TPV1 -Thermococcus prieurii virus 1, and PAV1 -Pyrococcus abyssi virus 1). Our results confirm that viruses can be fossilised, with silica precipitating on the different viral structures (proteins, envelope) over several months in a manner similar to that of other experimentally and naturally fossilised microorganisms. This study thus suggests that viral remains or traces could be preserved in the rock record although their identification may be challenging due to the small size of the viral particles.

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Section: Fossilisation Of the Virusessupporting

confidence: 63%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental fossilisation of viruses from extremophilic Archaea

et al. 2011

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“…For viruses, although experimental evidence indicates that silicification is possible (Ladier and Stedman, 2010;Orange et al, 2011), and molecular phylogenetic studies suggest deeptime origins (Delwart and Li, 2012), there is no indication of a fossil record until the Early Cretaceous. Interestingly, these Cretaceous virus fossils occur in association with insects preserved in amber (Poinar and Poinar, 2005).…”

Section: An Overview Of Pathogens In the Permineralized Fossil Recordmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant paleopathology and the roles of pathogens and insects

Labandeira

Prevec

2014

International Journal of Paleopathology

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“…In summary, bacteriophage T4, the archaeal virus SSV-K, and the animal virus VACV can be inactivated at silica concentrations similar to those found in terrestrial hot springs (20)(21)(22). Based on previous silicification studies with bacteria, archaea (23,24), and viruses (14,15), infectivity loss on silicification is not unexpected. However, even in supersaturated silica solutions (600 ppm), different viruses were not equally affected (Fig.…”

mentioning

confidence: 65%

“…However, if viruses could be reversibly coated in a protective coat in addition to their capsid, they could potentially spread very widely. Silica coating is a particularly attractive possibility, since in hot spring environments, viruses can be coated with silica (14,15). However, the effect of silicification on virus infectivity was not known.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reversible Inactivation and Desiccation Tolerance of Silicified Viruses

Laidler

Shugart

Cady

et al. 2013

J Virol

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c Long-distance host-independent virus dispersal is poorly understood, especially for viruses found in isolated ecosystems. To demonstrate a possible dispersal mechanism, we show that bacteriophage T4, archaeal virus Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus Kamchatka, and vaccinia virus are reversibly inactivated by mineralization in silica under conditions similar to volcanic hot springs. In contrast, bacteriophage PRD1 is not silicified. Moreover, silicification provides viruses with remarkable desiccation resistance, which could allow extensive aerial dispersal.T he mechanisms and extent of virus dispersal are often unclear. Given the importance of viruses in maintaining microbial diversity and recycling nutrients on a global scale (1) and causing disease (2), understanding virus distribution is essential. However, it is not clear whether virus species are cosmopolitan (3) or display regional endemism (4-8). Interestingly, local hot spring virus dispersal can result from aerosolization by fumaroles (8), indicating at least one possible host-independent dispersal mechanism.Stratospheric winds are capable of carrying bacteria and fungi from the Sahara Desert as far as the Caribbean Sea (9, 10). However, a critically limiting factor for wind-borne virus spread is the ability of the virus to resist drying; most viruses are highly sensitive to desiccation (for examples, see references 11 to 13). However, if viruses could be reversibly coated in a protective coat in addition to their capsid, they could potentially spread very widely. Silica coating is a particularly attractive possibility, since in hot spring environments, viruses can be coated with silica (14, 15). However, the effect of silicification on virus infectivity was not known. Therefore, we tested both enveloped and unenveloped viruses for their susceptibility and response to silicification. Viruses tested included bacteriophage T4 (16), bacteriophage PRD1 (17), the archaeal virus Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus Kamchatka (SSV-K) (18), and vaccinia virus (VACV) (19).Bacteriophage T4, PRD1, SSV-K, and VACV were propagated in host cell cultures using Escherichia coli B, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2, Sulfolobus solfataricus strain G⍜, and murine BSC-1 cells, respectively. After growth, cell debris was removed. The resulting viruses were mixed with freshly prepared pH 7.0 to 7.1 sodium metasilicate solution in either 10 mM sodium bicarbonate-5 mM magnesium chloride for bacteriophage T4, PRD1, and SSV-K or Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline for VACV to final silica concentrations of 0, 5, and 10 mM (0, 300, and 600 ppm). Solutions were placed in dialysis tubing in a reservoir of the same buffer and silica concentration. The bathing solution was replaced daily. Samples were withdrawn immediately and on days 1, 3, 8, and 10. The virus titer was determined in triplicate by plaque assay. On day 10, aliquots were diluted 1:10 with a 0-ppm silica solution. Plaque assays were performed with these diluted samples on days 12, 14, 16, and 20. On day 10, aliquo...

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Virus Silicification under Simulated Hot Spring Conditions

Cited by 41 publications

References 104 publications

Experimental fossilisation of viruses from extremophilic Archaea

Experimental fossilisation of viruses from extremophilic Archaea

Plant paleopathology and the roles of pathogens and insects

Reversible Inactivation and Desiccation Tolerance of Silicified Viruses

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