''Virgaviridae'' is a family of
positive-strand RNA virus
Positive-strand RNA viruses (+ssRNA viruses) are a group of related viruses that have positive-sense, single-stranded genomes made of ribonucleic acid. The positive-sense genome can act as messenger RNA (mRNA) and can be directly translated int ...
es. Plants serve as natural hosts.
[Adams MJ, Antoniw JF, Kreuze J (2009) Virgaviridae: a new family of rod-shaped plant viruses. Arch Virol 154(12):1967–1972] The name of the family is derived from the Latin word ''virga'' (rod), as all viruses in this family are rod-shaped. There are currently 59 species in this family, divided among seven genera.
Structure
Viruses in Virgaviridae are non-enveloped, with rigid helical rod geometries, and helical symmetry. The diameter is around 20-25 nm,
and virions have a central "canal." Genomes are linear, single-stranded, positive sense RNA
with a 3'-tRNA like structure and no polyA tail. They may be in one, two, or three segments, depending on the genus. Coat proteins are about 19–24
kiloDalton
The dalton or unified atomic mass unit (symbols: Da or u) is a non-SI unit of mass widely used in physics and chemistry. It is defined as of the mass of an unbound neutral atom of carbon-12 in its nuclear and electronic ground state and at ...
s.
Life cycle
Viral replication is cytoplasmic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by penetration into the host cell. Replication follows the positive stranded RNA virus replication model. Positive stranded RNA virus transcription is the method of transcription. Translation takes place by leaky scanning, and suppression of termination. The virus exits the host cell by tripartite non-tubule guided viral movement, and monopartite non-tubule guided viral movement.
Plants serve as the natural host.
Taxonomy
Viruses include in the family ''Virgaviridae'' are characterized by unique alpha-like replication proteins.
The following genera are recognized:
* ''
Furovirus''
* ''
Goravirus''
* ''
Hordeivirus''
* ''
Pecluvirus''
* ''
Pomovirus''
* ''
Tobamovirus
''Tobamovirus'' is a genus of positive-strand RNA viruses in the family '' Virgaviridae.'' Many plants, including tobacco, potato, tomato, and squash, serve as natural hosts. Diseases associated with this genus include: necrotic lesions on leave ...
''
* ''
Tobravirus''
Notes
The genus ''
Benyvirus'', although its members are rod shaped and infect plants, is not included in this family as its proteins appear to be only very distantly related, but is instead included in the family ''Benyviridae''.
Another related genus is
Charavirus. Viruses of this genus infect
charophyte
Charophyta () is a group of freshwater green algae, called charophytes (), sometimes treated as a phylum, division, yet also as a superdivision or an unranked clade. The terrestrial plants, the Embryophyta emerged within Charophyta, possibly fro ...
algae.
References
External links
ICTV Online Report: ''Virgaviridae''ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Virgaviridae
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3560593
Viral plant pathogens and diseases
Virus families
Riboviria