[neverdem]

It's a little dated, but it's the first that I heard about the Mimivirus.

The complex interior of a Mimivirus. Electron microscopy at magnification of about 200. Credit: D. Raoult, N. Aldrovandi

A Mimivirus particle infecting an amoeba cell. Electron microscopy at magnification of about 200. Credit: D. Raoult, N. Aldrovandi

[FEARED MUTATION]

McAfee can handle this just fine.

[BenLurkin]

So James Carville HAS reproduced?

[Nomorjer Kinov]

Mimi virus...

[tallhappy]

Interesting post.

Here's an abstract from another analysis of the virus. It is very interesting.

Virol. 2005 Nov;79(22):14095-101.

Gene and genome duplication in Acanthamoeba polyphaga Mimivirus.

Suhre K.

Information Genomique et Structurale, UPR CNRS 2589, 31 Chemin Joseph-Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France. karsten.suhre@igs.cnrs-mrs.fr

Gene duplication is key to molecular evolution in all three domains of life and may be the first step in the emergence of new gene function. It is a well-recognized feature in large DNA viruses but has not been studied extensively in the largest known virus to date, the recently discovered Acanthamoeba polyphaga Mimivirus. Here, I present a systematic analysis of gene and genome duplication events in the mimivirus genome. I found that one-third of the mimivirus genes are related to at least one other gene in the mimivirus genome, either through a large segmental genome duplication event that occurred in the more remote past or through more recent gene duplication events, which often occur in tandem. This shows that gene and genome duplication played a major role in shaping the mimivirus genome. Using multiple alignments, together with remote-homology detection methods based on Hidden Markov Model comparison, I assign putative functions to some of the paralogous gene families. I suggest that a large part of the duplicated mimivirus gene families are likely to interfere with important host cell processes, such as transcription control, protein degradation, and cell regulatory processes. My findings support the view that large DNA viruses are complex evolving organisms, possibly deeply rooted within the tree of life, and oppose the paradigm that viral evolution is dominated by lateral gene acquisition, at least in regard to large DNA viruses.

[calex59]

Would that be the screaming mimivirus? I remember those screaming mimis man they could tear you to shreds!

[Billthedrill]

Very cool. A giant intracellular parasite that has both amino acids in it. I smell a science fiction movie...

[Dark Skies]

Mimivirus, however, is more than 400 nanometers wide

Holy cow...you could drive a fleet of nano-semi-tractor-trailor-trucks down that thing side-by-side.

[js1138]

have we done this one?

[Bean Counter]

Maybe our froggy friends can make a new strain of cheese with it....

[sure_fine]

I think its a Pelosi embryo

[Wolfstar]

The genetic code of the mimivirus, as it is called, is three times longer than that of other viruses and contains elements that blur the lines between life and non-life.

Evolution in action?

[theDentist]

When allowed to multiply and grow it ends up becoming THIS:

[Xenalyte]

[somniferum]

Very interesting BTTT

[kAcknor]

This explains it...

[GOP_1900AD]

Maybe they are the original parasites. Maybe they started out like the one shown here, using bacteria as their hosts. No need to be able to convert energy. Later, they mutated to be able to infect higher forms of plant and animal life.

[ItsJeff]

and the complexity of the thing has them questioning what it is.

It's called a bar of soap.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

You can tell it's the mimi virus because it sings, "Me-me-me-me-me-meeee!"

[TC Rider]

Mimi, you funny little good for nothing Mimi,
Am I the guy?
Mimi, you sunny little honey of a Mimi,
I'm aiming high!
Mimi, you've got me sad and dreamy,
You could free me, if you'd see me.
Mimi, you know I'd like to have
A little son of a Mimi bye and bye.

[azhenfud]

"Monkey Head Virus"