Ancient viral genomes preserved in glaciers reveal the history of Earth’s climate – and how viruses adapt to climate change
When humans change the planet’s climate and ecosystems, scientists search for Earth’s history to help predict what climate change may reveal. To this end, huge ice structures such as ice rivers work Frozen natureArchive detailed records of previous climates and ecosystems – including viruses.
We are a team of Microbiologists and Tamil scholars To study ancient microorganisms, including viruses reserved inside ice Ice. Along with our colleagues Loni Thompsonand Virginia Rich And other researchers in Old ice Ice diseases set At Ohio State University, we are investigating interactions between viruses and their environment that was sipped in the ice cores of Guliya Glacier on the Tibetan Plateau.
By linking the genotics of ancient viral societies to specific climate conditions preserved in the ice ice, our newly published research offers an insight into how this Viruses adapted to the changing earth climate Over the past 41,000 years.
Reading history in viral genes
We are in the first place Metagenomes is used – groups of genomics that embody the total genetic content of all microorganisms in environmental samples – to rebuild viral genomics from nine distinct time periods within the essence of ice. These time prospects extend to three cold cycles, which provides a unique opportunity to monitor how viral societies change in response to various climatic conditions.
Through our analyzes, we have regained genomics The equivalent of 1705 virus typeThe expansion of the old viruses preserved with the iceotilities known more than fifty times.
Only about a quarter Among the viral species, we found similarities in the level of common species with any of the defined viruses in approximately 1000 metaginum that were previously captured in global data groups. Most of these intertwined species were also from the Tibet Plateau. This indicates that at least some of the viruses reserved in icebergs originated locally in the region, but also talked about the relative deficiency of ice viruses in the available databases.
Using these new reference genomics, we tried to “read” their stories.
One of the main discoveries was that Viral societies differ greatly Between cold and warm climatic periods. The most distinctive viral community community appeared on the iceberg about 11,500 years ago, coinciding with the main transition from the last iceberg to the Holosin. This indicates that the unique climatic conditions during the cold and warm periods greatly affected the formation of viral societies. We assume that these effects were probably due to viruses from other places that are detonated by changing wind patterns and subject to the choice pressure from changing temperatures on the iceberg.
Drill deeper, then we decided how viruses interacted with their hosts. To do this, we used computer models to compare viral genes with other microbial genotations that are also in this environment. We found these viruses The person is constantly affected FlavbacteriumRapids of bacteria that are usually found in the ice mountain environments.
We have also learned that viruses on icy ice must “steal” genes from their hosts to manipulate their enemies. It was coded inside the viral genomics 50 auxiliary metabolism genes It relates to metabolism, including the creation and collapse of vitamins, amino acids and carbohydrates. Some of these genes were abundant in all the nine timetables that were studied, indicating that they help the microbial hosts in dealing with the harsh conditions on the ice surfaces and thus improving viral fitness.
Consequently, viruses not only affect and kill cells, but they are more likely to change the suitability of their hosts during the infection, which in turn affects their ability to remain in the harsh conditions of icy environments.
Climate change over time
The results that we have reached are presenting a new point of view on how life responds, in the form of viruses, to climate changes on tens of thousands of years.
Understanding these old reactions provides a unique opportunity to research in the future in both viruses and climate science. By studying how old viruses respond to previous climate changes, researchers can acquire valuable visions on how viruses adapt to continuous global climate change.
We believe that the ice Ice, by capturing information on microorganisms and ecosystems over time in each layer, is still an important source of revealing the history of the Earth’s climate and life that it has support Reduces quickly.
This article has been republished from ConversationAn independent, non -profit news organization brings you facts and trusted analysis to help you understand our complex world. Written by: Zhi-Ping Zhongand Ohio State University; Ellen Musli Thompsonand Ohio State University; Loni Thompsonand Ohio State University; Matthew Sullivanand Humans in the 8 % virus – How old DNA plays in the genome a role in human diseases and development
The researchers have identified more than 5500 new viruses in the ocean, including the lost bond of viral developmentVideo: How the old icebergs show “SWAN” events in history – until epidemics
Zhi-Ping Zhong receives financing support from the BYRD POSTDOCTORAL Fellowship, Heeings-Simons Foundation, National Science Corporation, Gordon and Betty Moore, and the Joint Genome Institute of the US Department of Energy.
Ellen Musli Thompson receives funding from Heings-Simons
Looni Thompson receives funding from the National Science Corporation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Heeings-Simons Foundation
Matthew Sullivan receives funding from the Gordon Foundation, Betty Moore and the US Department of Energy.
Virginia Rich receives funding from Heeings-Simons.
