Giant viruses may be more alive than we thought

• Giant viruses, like mimivirus, carry genes for translation machinery, enabling them to hijack host protein synthesis. • Researchers isolated ribosomes from infected amoebae, revealing viral proteins bound to host ribosomes. • Gene knockouts of viral initiation complexes dramatically lowered viral replication rates. • Findings blur the line between living organisms and viruses, challenging traditional definitions. • Mimivirus genes encode components of ribosomal initiation complexes, a rare viral trait. • Study highlights giant viruses as key players in understanding evolution of life.

Sources:

• https://www.newscientist.com/article/2515941-giant-viruses-may-be-more-alive-than-we-thought/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home