Virophage

From WikiMD's medical encyclopedia

Virophage is a type of virus that infects other viruses. The term "virophage" was first coined in 2008 when the Sputnik virophage was discovered. Virophages are unique in that they require the co-infection of a host cell with a larger virus to replicate.

Discovery

The first virophage, the Sputnik virophage, was discovered in 2008 in a water cooling tower in Paris, France. The discovery was made by a team of scientists led by Didier Raoult. The Sputnik virophage was found to infect the mamavirus, a type of giant virus.

Characteristics

Virophages are small, with a diameter of about 50 nanometers. They have a circular double-stranded DNA genome. The genome of a virophage is much smaller than that of the viruses they infect. For example, the Sputnik virophage has a genome of only 18,343 base pairs, while the mamavirus has a genome of over 1.2 million base pairs.

Virophages replicate by hijacking the replication machinery of larger viruses. When a host cell is co-infected with a virophage and a larger virus, the virophage uses the larger virus's replication machinery to replicate its own genome. This can inhibit the replication of the larger virus, leading to fewer virus particles being produced.

Examples

In addition to the Sputnik virophage, several other virophages have been discovered. These include the Mavirus, which infects the Cafeteria roenbergensis virus, and the Organic Lake virophage, which infects the Phycodnaviridae.

Impact on Host Cells

The impact of virophages on their host cells is not fully understood. However, it is believed that they may play a role in controlling the populations of larger viruses. By inhibiting the replication of larger viruses, virophages may help to prevent the destruction of host cells.

See Also

References


Stub icon
   This article is a virus-related stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!




  • Sputnik virophage

  • Parasitic lifestyle of virophages

  • Virophage

  • Virophages and satellite virus lifestyle

  • Genome organization of cultured virophages

  • Virophage

  • Virion and genome sizes for virophages

  • Virophage timeline

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP-1 injections from $125.

W8mdlogo.png
W8MD weight loss doctors team

W8MD offers a medical weight loss program to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our physician-supervised medical weight loss provides:

NYC weight loss doctor appointments

Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss and Philadelphia medical weight loss clinics.

Linkedin_Shiny_Icon Facebook_Shiny_Icon YouTube_icon_(2011-2013) Google plus


Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Retrieved from "https://wikimd.org/w/index.php?title=Virophage&oldid=6326509"

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD