What is it about?
We found that giant viruses encode a key enzyme (VKOR) usually found in cells to perform redox reactions. This enzyme is part of a larger module that can modify membrane lipids. These "mini pathway" turns on during infection. Our work links redox chemistry with lipid remodeling in viruses to reshape host biology.
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Why is it important?
Our work shows that giant viruses are metabolic engineers not just hijackers, introducing a new concept in virology that giant viruses can control redox balance to alter membranes.
Perspectives
Giant viruses appear to be sophisticated engineers, having evolved enzyme systems that couple redox reactions to lipid remodeling. It will be exciting to see, as metagenomic studies expand, how widely these enzymes are conserved across yet-undiscovered viruses.
Dr. Cristina Landeta
Indiana University Bloomington
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Giant viruses encode vitamin K–based redox modules for lipid modification, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, August 2026, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2610764123.
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