CHLORELLA VIRUS PBCV-1 ENCODES A HOMOLOG OF THE BACTERIOPHAGE-T4 UV DAMAGE REPAIR GENE DENV

The bacteriophage T4 denV gene encodes a well-characterized DNA repair enzyme involved in pyrimidine photodimer excision, We have discovered the first homologs of the denV gene in chlorella viruses, which are c ommon in fresh water, This gene functions in vivo and also when cloned in Escherichia coli. Photodamaged virus DNA ran also be photoreactiva ted by the host chlorella, Since the chlorella viruses are continually exposed to solar radiation in their native environments, two separate DNA repair systems, one that functions in the dark and one that funct ions in the light, significantly enhance their survival.