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The DNA methylation landscape of giant viruses

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  • Sandra Jeudy

    (Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, IGS, Information Génomique & Structurale (UMR7256), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (FR 3489))

  • Sofia Rigou

    (Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, IGS, Information Génomique & Structurale (UMR7256), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (FR 3489))

  • Jean-Marie Alempic

    (Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, IGS, Information Génomique & Structurale (UMR7256), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (FR 3489))

  • Jean-Michel Claverie

    (Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, IGS, Information Génomique & Structurale (UMR7256), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (FR 3489))

  • Chantal Abergel

    (Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, IGS, Information Génomique & Structurale (UMR7256), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (FR 3489))

  • Matthieu Legendre

    (Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, IGS, Information Génomique & Structurale (UMR7256), Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée (FR 3489))

Abstract

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mark that contributes to various regulations in all domains of life. Giant viruses are widespread dsDNA viruses with gene contents overlapping the cellular world that also encode DNA methyltransferases. Yet, virtually nothing is known about the methylation of their DNA. Here, we use single-molecule real-time sequencing to study the complete methylome of a large spectrum of giant viruses. We show that DNA methylation is widespread, affecting 2/3 of the tested families, although unevenly distributed. We also identify the corresponding viral methyltransferases and show that they are subject to intricate gene transfers between bacteria, viruses and their eukaryotic host. Most methyltransferases are conserved, functional and under purifying selection, suggesting that they increase the viruses’ fitness. Some virally encoded methyltransferases are also paired with restriction endonucleases forming Restriction-Modification systems. Our data suggest that giant viruses’ methyltransferases are involved in diverse forms of virus-pathogens interactions during coinfections.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra Jeudy & Sofia Rigou & Jean-Marie Alempic & Jean-Michel Claverie & Chantal Abergel & Matthieu Legendre, 2020. "The DNA methylation landscape of giant viruses," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-16414-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16414-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Sofia Rigou & Sébastien Santini & Chantal Abergel & Jean-Michel Claverie & Matthieu Legendre, 2022. "Past and present giant viruses diversity explored through permafrost metagenomics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Alexandra Bessenay & Hugo Bisio & Lucid Belmudes & Yohann Couté & Lionel Bertaux & Jean-Michel Claverie & Chantal Abergel & Sandra Jeudy & Matthieu Legendre, 2024. "Complex transcriptional regulations of a hyperparasitic quadripartite system in giant viruses infecting protists," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.

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