Scientists discover 5,500 new RNA viruses in ocean waters around the world

water samples from ocean collected around the world have yielded an enormous amount of new data on viruses of RNAdoubling the number of known phyla.

The findings expand the possibilities for ecological research and reshape our understanding of how these small but significant submicroscopic particles evolved. According to the researchers published in the journal ‘Science’.

A broad evaluation of oceanic RNA sequences from waters around the world has identified thousands of previously unknown RNA viruses — duplicating the phyla of known RNA viruses — including some that represent a “missing link” in the evolution of RNA viruses. The phylum is the basic subdivision of the animal kingdom and can be defined as a grouping of animals based on their general plan of organization.

Virtually unknown outside of their role in disease, the study results provide a better understanding of the ecological importance and evolutionary origins of RNA viruses. Viruses are ubiquitous in all areas of life and play a fundamental role as drivers of evolution, biological diversity and the global geochemical cycle.

Most efforts to understand the multiple functions of the Earth virome have focused on DNA viruses, which are known to be abundant, diverse, and ecosystem players.

Apart from their role as animal and plant pathogens, RNA viruses in the environment are poorly studied. By analyzing nearly 28 terabases of RNA sequences from the Global Ocean collected during the Tara Oceans expeditions, Ohio State University researcher Ahmed Zayed and colleagues addressed this knowledge gap and greatly expanded the known catalog of marine RNA viruses. the university reports in a statement.

In their analysis, they doubled the number of ornaviran phyla from 5 to 10 (ornavirans are RNA viruses) and reconstructed a phylogenetic tree that reveals new insights into the evolution of RNA viruses.

Among the new phyla, the authors discovered the worldwide Taraviricota, which represent a missing link for the evolutionary origins of RNA viruses in terms of retroelements, suggesting that they both share a common ancestor.

According to the authors, the new findings represent fundamental insights for further integrating RNA viruses into ecological, evolutionary, and epidemiological models. “Studies like this create connections between the viral and cellular worlds, allowing for the possibility of a fully integrated tree of life. and a more complete understanding of the origins and evolution of all lifewrite Jessica Labonté and Kathryn Campbell in a related Perspective.