Discovery of a third RNA virus lineage in extreme environments

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Discovery of a third RNA virus lineage in extreme environments
Unusual bipartite RNA virus genomes from the Oi hot spring. a, Genome organization and conservation of the three genomic segments (RNA1, RNA2 and RNA2*) of HsRV. b, MSA of the 5ʹ- and 3ʹ-terminal regions of the coding strands of reconstructed genome segments. c, Quality assessment of the AlphaFold2 model of the HsRV RdRP. d,e, Domain organization of the HsRV RdRP. d, Schematic representation of the domain organization, with exact coordinates of each subdomain, including the five “Fingers,” indicated. The positions of the motifs A, B and C are indicated. e, The structural model of HsRV RdRP colored using the same scheme as in d. f, Comparison of the HsRV RdRP with homologues from other RNA viruses, including hepatitis C virus, Norwalk virus, Qβ, phi6, as well as RT from Moloney murine leukemia virus. Credit: Nature Microbiology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01579-5

There are numerous RNA virus species on Earth. However, their diversity and evolution as well as roles in the ecosystem remain unclear.

In a new study, using an original method, researchers have discovered a novel RNA viral genome from thermoacidophilic microbes (close to the last universal common ancestor of life) in the hot springs of Unzen and Kirishima fumaroles. This RNA virus was named hot spring RNA virus (HsRV) and was presumed to infect thermoacidophilic bacteria.

This study, published in Nature Microbiology, shows that RNA viruses can inhabit high-temperature environments (70°C–80°C), where no RNA viruses have been observed before and where life is believed to have originated.

Furthermore, HsRV differs considerably from all other RNA viruses belonging to the two established RNA virus kingdoms, indicating the existence of a previously overlooked third RNA virus kingdom.

Future studies will attempt to culture host strains that harbor HsRV and elucidate the virological properties and ecology of HsRV. In addition, the same method used in this study will be applied to various microorganisms, animals, and plants to explore possible undiscovered RNA viruses.

More information:
Syun-ichi Urayama et al, Double-stranded RNA sequencing reveals distinct riboviruses associated with thermoacidophilic bacteria from hot springs in Japan, Nature Microbiology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01579-5

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University of Tsukuba

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Discovery of a third RNA virus lineage in extreme environments (2024, January 26)
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