This thesis analyzes virophages, a recently discovered group of viruses currently classified in the class Maveriviricetes and capable of parasitizing giant viruses. Using the most recent scientific publications as a starting point, it aims to organize and structure the latest experimental evidence related to this new branch of virology. Maintaining a molecular-level perspective, it intends to thoroughly characterize the structure of these viruses, their replication cycle, and the tripartite relationship between "cell – giant virus – virophage" (CGV). A specific focus is placed on the Sputnik virophage, the first viral particle of this type to be identified, examining its capsid and genomic structures and observing which protein and genetic components are shared with other virophages. Understanding the phylogenetic placement of these new subviral agents and their ecological role involves genomic analyses and studies of their interaction with the two hosts.
La presente tesi prende in analisi i virofagi, un gruppo di virus di recente scoperta, attualmente collocati nella classe Maveriviricetes e in grado di parassitare virus giganti. Utilizzando come punto di partenza le più attuali pubblicazioni scientifiche si propone di dare ordine e forma alle ultime evidenze sperimentali relative a questo nuovo filone della virologia. Mantenendo la visione a livello molecolare si intende caratterizzare approfonditamente la struttura di questi virus, il loro ciclo replicativo e il triplice rapporto “cellula – virus gigante – virofago” (CVV). Un focus specifico è rivolto al virofago Sputnik, la prima particella virale di questo tipo che è stata rilevata, di cui si esaminano le strutture capsidica e genomica, osservando quali componenti proteiche e geniche sono condivise con gli altri virofagi. La comprensione della collocazione filogenetica di questi nuovi agenti subvirali e del loro ruolo ecologico passa attraverso analisi genomiche e studi dell’interazione con i due ospiti.
La scoperta dei virofagi: struttura, meccanismi replicativi e implicazioni evolutive.
COLOMBO, RICCARDO MATTIA
2023/2024
Abstract
This thesis analyzes virophages, a recently discovered group of viruses currently classified in the class Maveriviricetes and capable of parasitizing giant viruses. Using the most recent scientific publications as a starting point, it aims to organize and structure the latest experimental evidence related to this new branch of virology. Maintaining a molecular-level perspective, it intends to thoroughly characterize the structure of these viruses, their replication cycle, and the tripartite relationship between "cell – giant virus – virophage" (CGV). A specific focus is placed on the Sputnik virophage, the first viral particle of this type to be identified, examining its capsid and genomic structures and observing which protein and genetic components are shared with other virophages. Understanding the phylogenetic placement of these new subviral agents and their ecological role involves genomic analyses and studies of their interaction with the two hosts.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
Colombo_RiccardoMattia (1).pdf
accesso aperto
Dimensione
761.44 kB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
761.44 kB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
The text of this website © Università degli studi di Padova. Full Text are published under a non-exclusive license. Metadata are under a CC0 License
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/70591