A closed Candidatus Odinarchaeum chromosome exposes Asgard archaeal viruses


Citation
Tamarit et al. (2022). Nature Microbiology 7 (7)
Names (1)
Ca. Odinarchaeum yellowstonii
Subjects
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Cell Biology Genetics Immunology Microbiology Microbiology (medical)
Abstract
AbstractAsgard archaea have recently been identified as the closest archaeal relatives of eukaryotes. Their ecology, and particularly their virome, remain enigmatic. We reassembled and closed the chromosome of Candidatus Odinarchaeum yellowstonii LCB_4, through long-range PCR, revealing CRISPR spacers targeting viral contigs. We found related viruses in the genomes of diverse prokaryotes from geothermal environments, including other Asgard archaea. These viruses open research avenues into the ecology and evolution of Asgard archaea.
Authors
Publication date
2022-06-27
DOI
10.1038/s41564-022-01122-y