Scientists have made an astonishing discovery in the depths of the Mariana Trench. While maintaining a houseplant may seem challenging, a newly found virus has adapted and thrived in this inhospitable environment. This bacteriophage, named vB_HmeY_H4907, has set a record as the deepest known virus, residing at a staggering depth of 8,900 meters.
This remarkable phage specifically targets bacteria from the Halomonas family, which reside near hydrothermal vents on the seafloor. These vents emit scalding mineral-rich water, an environment where another member of the Halomonas family, H. titanicae, is expected to contribute to the deterioration of the sunken Titanic 2030.
While bacteriophages are commonly found on Earth, discovering one at such extreme depths is a significant achievement. Genomic analysis has also revealed its presence in oceans worldwide.
What sets this virus apart is its ability to reproduce without causing the death of the bacterial cell it infects, a process called lysogeny. In contrast, other viruses follow the lytic cycle, leading to the bursting of host cells, similar to the depiction in the movie “Alien”.
This discovery not only expands our knowledge of deep-sea phages and their interactions with host bacteria but also provides valuable insights into the diversity, evolution, and genomic characteristics of viruses in extreme environments. It contributes to our understanding of Earth’s virosphere, shedding light on how viruses thrive in the harshest conditions.