Mimivírus: um vírus gigante de DNA

Abstract

The most of giant DNA viruses began to be identified during the 90's. The presence of unique and distinct characteristics in this group of viruses, have raised a great interest of the scientific community. In 2003, a new giant virus was discovered and characterized, and impressed the virologists due it structural and genetic complexity: the mimivirus. Mimivirus, the largest virus known, was isolated from a free-living amoeba, and recent studies have showing that this virus is worldwide spread, present in water, soil and dust samples. Interestingly, mimivirus can be infected by another virus, named Sputnik virus. Sputnik is distinct of satellite virus, since is large, codify more than 20 proteins, and cause structural changes in mimivirus particles. In addition, recent studies show that mimivirus is a potential human pathogen, related with pneumonia. It is important the design and development of new studies on mimivirus, since it can raise interesting questions regarding viral evolution and diversity.