Taxonomy
The following two species are assigned to the genus: * '' Escherichia virus Mu'' * '' Shigella virus SfMu''Structure
Muviruses areGenome
'' Escherichia virus Mu'' has been fully sequenced and is available from ICTV. It has 36k nucleotides, with 55 proteins. Two similar, unclassified viruses are also sequenced. The complete genomes are availablLife cycle
The virus attaches to the host cell lipopolysaccharides using its terminal fibers, and ejects the viral DNA into the host cytoplasm via contraction of its tail sheath. Once in the cell, the viral DNA is protected from degradation by the host nucleases. The viral DNA is then circularized and integrated into the host chromosome. The viral genome is copied 50–100 times in the host chromosome via replicative transposition. DNA-templated transcription is the method of transcription. Translation takes place by -1 ribosomal frameshifting. Once the viral genes have been replicated, the procapsid is assembled and packed. The tail is then assembled and the mature virions are released via lysis. Bacteria serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are passive diffusion.History
According to the ICTV's 1996 report, the genus ''Mu-like phages'' was first accepted as a new genus in the family Myoviridae, a year after its type species was recognized by the committee. In 1998, it was moved into the newly created order Caudovirales. The next year (1999), the name was changed to ''Mu-like viruses''. Finally, in the 2010–11 report, it was renamed again to ''Mulikevirus''. These reports (with the exception of 1998) are available online hereReferences
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