Impact of external forces on cyanophage–host interactions in aquatic ecosystems

• Published in: World journal of microbiology & biotechnology Vol. 29; no. 10; pp. 1751 - 1762
• Main Authors: Jassim, Sabah A. A., Limoges, Richard G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.10.2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Air pollution; Algae; Applied Microbiology; Aquatic ecosystems; Bacteria; Bacteriology; Bacteriophages - growth & development; Biochemistry; Biomass; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Blooms; Conventions; Cyanobacteria; Cyanobacteria - growth & development; Cyanobacteria - virology; Ecosystem; Ecosystems; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Greenhouse gases; Host-Parasite Interactions; Life Sciences; Microbiology; Mollusks; Mortality; Nutrients; Plankton; Predators; Prokaryotes; Review; Studies; Viral infections; Viruses; Water Microbiology; Water quality; United States > US; UV; Virophage; Cyanobacteria; Ozone; Bacteriophage; Greenhouse gases; Harmful algae blooms; Cyanophage; Aquatic ecosystems
• ISSN: 0959-3993; 1573-0972
• DOI: 10.1007/s11274-013-1358-5

Cyanobacterial (algal) blooms have by convention been attributed to the excessive level of nutrients from pollution and runoff, which promotes the rapid growth and multiplication of cyanobacteria or algae. The cyanophage (virus) is the natural predator of cyanobacteria (the host). The aim of this review is to unveil certain pressures that disrupt cyanophage–host interactions and the formation of cyanobacterial blooms. This review focuses principally on the impact of greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, solar ultraviolet radiation (SUR) and the role of recently discovered virophages, which coexist with and in turn are the natural predator of phages. The key findings are that the increase in SUR, the mutation of cyanophages and cyanobacteria, along with changing nutrient levels, have combined with virophages to impede cyanophage–host interactions and the resultant viral infection and killing of the cyanobacterial cell, which is a necessary step in controlling cyanobacterial blooms. Consider this a ‘call to action’ for researchers interested in corrective action aimed at evolving aquatic ecosystems.