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Abstract

The interaction between the filamentous brown alga Ectocarpus and the Ectocarpus siliculosus Virus-1 (EsV-1) represents a model for DNA viral infection in brown algae. Ectocarpus gametes are susceptible to EsV-1 infection but the alga vegetative tissues remain disease-free until the development of reproductive structures. The onset of fertility triggers viral replication in a subset of gametangia enabling the synchronous release of viruses and gametes to the environment and infection of healthy algae. The molecular mechanisms underlying viral synchronization with the algae life-cycle remain unknown. Using cell biology and transcriptomics we are dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying viral silencing in vegetative tissue and the further activation in reproductive structures. Our results are consistent with a EsV-1-derived genomic insertion playing a key role in algae-virus interactions. In addition, we have identified candidate genes likely to participate in anti-viral defence.