megaviruses

Megaviruses are a group of large viruses that are significantly larger and possess more genes than most other known viruses. The term "Megavirus" was first used in reference to Mimivirus, a giant virus discovered in 2003. Later, Megavirus chilensis was described in 2011, which lent its name to the broader group. These viruses blur the lines between viruses and cellular life due to their immense size and complex genomes, which can contain hundreds of genes, some of which are involved in protein synthesis and translation.

Megaviruses belong to the family Mimiviridae. They infect amoebas, specifically those found in marine environments. Their discovery has challenged traditional definitions of viruses, as they possess genes previously thought to be exclusive to cellular organisms. The genome of Megavirus chilensis, for example, is approximately 1.2 megabases in size and encodes over 1,000 proteins. This complexity has led to ongoing scientific debate about their evolutionary origins and their place in the tree of life. Researchers continue to study megaviruses to understand their unique biology and their role in microbial ecosystems.