Figure 5

Reduction of viral infectivity by co-infection with virophage. Evaluation of the biological activity of virophage isolated from SMBV through viral infectivity reduction assays: A) Titration of APMV in A. castellanii after co-infection with RNV showed a reduction in viral titer by more than 80% compared to the control; B) A one-step growth curve of APMV in the presence of virophage showed that RNV drastically reduces the ability of APMV to multiply in A. castellanii, leading to a significant decrease in viral titer compared to control curves generated with SMBV naturally associated to RNV and APMV in the absence of virophage. C) Reduction in APMV-induced CPEs in amoeba when co-infected with virophage, visualized by light microscopy (after 12 hours).