Hybrid Sequencing Resolved Inverted Terminal Repeats in the Genome of Megavirus Baoshan

Mimivirus is a group of amoeba-infecting DNA viruses with linear double-strand genome. It is found to be ubiquitous in nature worldwide. Here, we reported the complete genome of a new member of Mimivirus lineage C isolated from a fresh water pond in Shanghai, China. Its 1,224,839-bp genome encoded 1,062 predicted ORFs. Combining the results of Nanopore, Illumina, and Sanger sequencing technologies, two identical 23,919 bp inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) were identified at both extremities of the viral linear genome, one of which was missing in the draft assembly based on Illumina data only. The discovery of ITRs of Mimivirus provided a new insight into Mimivirus genome structure.

Automated summary

Mimivirus is a type of DNA virus infecting amoebas, with a genome encoding 1,062 predicted ORFs and two identical inverted terminal repeats. A new member of Mimivirus lineage C was isolated from a fresh water pond in Shanghai, China, and its complete genome was reported in this study. The discovery of two ITRs in the Mimivirus genome provides new insights into its structure.