March 2025 archive

Haptophyte-infecting viruses change the genome condensing proteins of dinoflagellates

Commun Biol. 2025 Mar 28;8(1):510. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-07905-3. ABSTRACT Giant viruses are extraordinary members of the virosphere due to their structural complexity and high diversity in gene content. Haptophytes are ecologically important primary producers in the ocean, and all known viruses that infect haptophytes are giant viruses. However, little is known about the specifics of their …

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Marine <em>Flavobacteriaceae</em> produce zeaxanthin via the mevalonate pathway

Zeaxanthin, an oxygenated carotenoid derivative with potent antioxidative properties, is produced by many organism taxa. Flavobacteriaceae are widely distributed in marine environments; however, the zeaxanthin biosynthesis property in this family remains incompletely explored. Here, we characterized zeaxanthin production by marine Flavobacteriaceae strains and elucidated underlying molecular mechanisms. Eight Flavobacteriaceae strains were isolated from the phycosphere of various…