Virus adsorption process determines virus susceptibility in Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae)

Abstract

We compared the adsorption kinetics of Heterosigma akashiwo virus clones 01 (HaV01) and 53 (HaV53) to several other H. akashiwo strains with differing viral susceptibility spectra. When a HaV strain was inoculated into its suitable host strain, only infectious virus particles (3 to 4 % of direct count estimates) adsorbed to the host cells, and the adsorption coefficient was estimated to be 4.02 to 5.44 × 10-8 ml min-1; in contrast, virus adsorption to an unsuitable host strain was not detected. This suggests that virus adsorption is an important first step in determining the sensitivity or resistance of H. akashiwo strains to viral infection, and that it determines the strain-specific host specificity of HaV. © Inter-Research 2006.