Growth cycle of a virus, PBCV-1, that infects Chlorella-like algae.

The growth and purification of milligram quantities of a large double-stranded DNA virus, PBCV-1, which replicates in a Chlorella-like alga is described. The virus had an adsorption rate constant of ca. 5 x 10(-9) ml/min, a latent period of 150 to 180 min, and a burst size of 200 to 350 PFUs when the host was actively growing in the light. The eclipse period was 30 to 50 min shorter than the latent period. PBCV-1 also replicated in dark grown Chlorella but the burst size was reduced ca. 50%. The photosynthetic inhibitor, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, had no effect on viral replication. Thus viral replication does not require host photosynthesis. Viral infection rapidly inhibited both growth and CO2 fixation of the host Chlorella.