Discovery and Further Studies on Giant Viruses at the IHU Mediterranee Infection That Modified the Perception of the Virosphere

• Main Authors: Clara Rolland, Julien Andreani, Amina Cherif Louazani, Sarah Aherfi, Rania Francis, Rodrigo Rodrigues, Ludmila Santos Silva, Dehia Sahmi, Said Mougari, Nisrine Chelkha, Meriem Bekliz, Lorena Silva, Felipe Assis, Fábio Dornas, Jacques Yaacoub Bou Khalil, Isabelle Pagnier, Christelle Desnues, Anthony Levasseur, Philippe Colson, Jônatas Abrahão, Bernard La Scola
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-03-01
• Series: Viruses
• Subjects: giant virus; amoeba; <i>Mimivirus</i>; virosphere
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/11/4/312

The history of giant viruses began in 2003 with the identification of <i>Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus.</i> Since then, giant viruses of amoeba enlightened an unknown part of the viral world, and every discovery and characterization of a new giant virus modifies our perception of the virosphere. This notably includes their exceptional virion sizes from 200 nm to 2 &#181;m and their genomic complexity with length, number of genes, and functions such as translational components never seen before. Even more surprising, <i>Mimivirus</i> possesses a unique mobilome composed of virophages, transpovirons, and a defense system against virophages named <i>Mimivirus</i> virophage resistance element (MIMIVIRE). From the discovery and isolation of new giant viruses to their possible roles in humans, this review shows the active contribution of the University Hospital Institute (IHU) Mediterranee Infection to the growing knowledge of the giant viruses&#8217; field.