Metaproteomic analysis of viral concentrates reveals vertical shift of viral community and microbial metabolism in the ocean

Viral concentrates (VCs) contained both viral particles and cell-affiliated components. In this study, a shotgun metaproteomic approach was applied to characterize proteins in the VCs collected from chlorophyll maximum, mesopelagic (200 m) and bathypelagic (3000 m) waters in the South China Sea. Abundant viral proteins indicated the shift of viral community as depth. Whereas the remaining non-viral proteins suggested the diverse microbial metabolism distinct at different layers.