Reversible Inactivation and Desiccation Tolerance of Silicified Viruses
- Center for Life in Extreme Environments, Biology Department, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USAa
- Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Center, Portland, Oregon, USAb
- The William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USAc
ABSTRACT
Long-distance host-independent virus dispersal is poorly understood, especially for viruses found in isolated ecosystems. To demonstrate a possible dispersal mechanism, we show that bacteriophage T4, archaeal virus Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus Kamchatka, and vaccinia virus are reversibly inactivated by mineralization in silica under conditions similar to volcanic hot springs. In contrast, bacteriophage PRD1 is not silicified. Moreover, silicification provides viruses with remarkable desiccation resistance, which could allow extensive aerial dispersal.
FOOTNOTES
- Received 30 September 2013.
- Accepted 2 October 2013.
- Address correspondence to Kenneth M. Stedman, kstedman{at}pdx.edu.
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Published ahead of print 9 October 2013
- Copyright © 2013, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
