Viral eukaryogenesis 4009213 216258977 2008-05-31T21:07:26Z DumZiBoT 6085301 robot Adding: [[es:Eucariogénesis viral]] {{expert}} '''Viral eukaryogenesis''' is the [[hypothesis]] that the [[cell nucleus]] of [[eukaryotic]] life forms evolved from a large [[DNA virus]] in a form of [[Endosymbiotic theory|endosymbiosis]] within an [[archaea]] cell. It was proposed by Philip Bell in 2001, and gained support as large complex DNA viruses capable of [[protein biosynthesis]] (such as [[Mimivirus]]) have been discovered. A number of precepts in the theory are possible. For instance, a helical virus with a [[Lipid bilayer|bilipid]] [[Viral envelope|envelope]] bears a distinct resemblance to a highly simplified [[Cell nucleus|cellular nucleus]] (ie: a DNA chromosome encapsulated within a lipid membrane). To consider the concept logically, a large DNA virus would take control of a [[bacteria]]l or [[archaea]]l cell. Instead of replicating and destroying the host cell, it would remain within the cell. With the virus in control of the host cell's molecular machinery it would effectively become a "nucleus" of sorts. Through the processes of [[mitosis]] and [[cytokinesis]], the virus would thus hijack the entire cell&mdash;an extremely favourable way to ensure its survival. ==References== * Bell, Philip John Livingstone. "Viral Eukaryogenesis: Was the Ancestor of the Nucleus a Complex DNA Virus?" <i>Journal of Molecular Evolution</i>, Volume 53, Issue 3, Sep 2001, pgs. 251&ndash;256 {{biology-stub}} {{evolution-stub}} {{virus-stub}} [[es:Eucariogénesis viral]]