New Bacteriophage Discovered in the Depths of the Mariana Trench, Shedding Light on Ocean Floor Viral Evolution

The Mariana Trench is Earth's deepest spot with over 11,000 meters at its lowest point on the Pacific Ocean floor. Researchers recently reported finding a novel virus, a bacteriophage, in the Mariana Trench.

In their study, titled "Identification and genomic analysis of temperate Halomonas bacteriophage vB_HmeY_H4907 from the surface sediment of the Mariana Trench at a depth of 8,900 m" published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum, the team noted that the new virus poses no threat to humans and could shed light on deep-sea ecosystems.

Newly Discovered Bacteriophage Emerges From Deep-Sea

An international team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery by isolating a new virus from sediment retrieved from a depth of 8,900 meters in the ocean.

This virus is a bacteriophage, a type that infects and reproduces inside bacteria, and it is believed to be among the most abundant life forms on Earth. According to marine virologist Min Wang at China's Ocean University, this is the deepest isolated phage known in the global ocean.

The newfound bacteriophage targets bacteria in the Halomonas phylum, commonly found in deep-sea sediments and hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. The analysis of this viral genetic material suggests the presence of an entirely new viral family in the deep ocean. This discovery provides valuable insights into the diversity, evolution, and genomic characteristics of deep-sea phages and their interactions with their bacterial hosts.

Moreover, it builds upon previous work by the team, where they utilized metagenomic analysis to study viruses infecting bacteria within the Oceanospirallales order, which includes Halomonas.

In their latest study, they explored viruses in bacterial strains collected and isolated by marine virologist Yu-Zhong Zhang's team at China's Ocean University, focusing on extreme environments such as polar regions and the Mariana Trench.

The newly discovered bacteriophage vB_HmeY_H4907 is widely present in the ocean and shares structural similarities with its host and offers insight into viral survival strategies in extreme environments.

As a lysogenic virus, it replicates within its host without causing immediate cell death, propagating its genetic material during cell division. Future studies will investigate the molecular processes governing deep-sea virus-host interactions, expanding our knowledge of the virosphere.

Researchers remain committed to exploring extreme environments to unveil additional novel viruses, anticipating further exciting discoveries.

Deep-Sea Filled With Life Unknown to Mankind

A 2022 study reveals that the deep ocean floor is brimming with undiscovered life forms that play a crucial role in Earth's climate regulation. DNA analysis of global deep-sea sediments showed three times more life on the seafloor compared to higher ocean layers, with nearly two-thirds of this life yet to be formally identified.

This study, as well as the recent one, highlighted not just species diversity but also novel diversity at higher taxonomic levels, indicating the existence of unknown evolutionary lineages and whole families of species awaiting discovery.

The abundance of biodiversity below the ocean's surface is not surprising, given the complexity of the seafloor environment, featuring microhabitats such as deep coral reefs and underwater volcanoes that allow species to adapt and specialize.

Unlike uniform environments, diverse microhabitats provide unique niches for species to thrive. This research sheds light on the hidden world beneath, emphasizing the importance of understanding and preserving these deep-sea ecosystems.

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