Carmovirus
Encyclopedia
Carmovirus is a genus of the family Tombusviridae
. It is classified under the Baltimore classification
system as a group IV virus, having a single-stranded, positive-sense
RNA
genome. Replication occurs in the cytoplasm. The genome is 3800-4300 base pairs long, although the viron contains a longer copy. The viral cycle is complete when assembled viron particles are released during cell lysis.
The virus capsid is non-envoloped with icosahedral symmetry, made up of 32 capsomers. Each subunit consists of 180 proteins. The capsid diameter is around 30nm. By weight, the viron is 80% protein and 20% nucleic acids.
The virus’ natural host is species of Caryophyllaceae
, responsible for carnation mottle, but it can infect a far larger range of plants. Symptoms are localised lesions where cell death has occurred. The virus spreads via arthropod vectors carrying infected sap. Although the disease is widespread in carnations, the symptoms are relatively mild and do not pose a major problem. In other plants however, such as the Calla lily
, the disease is of more concern, as the plant is of significant economic importance to Taiwan
.
Tombusviridae
Tombusviridae is a family of single-stranded positive sense RNA plant viruses. The name is derived from the type species of the Tombusvirus genus, Tomato bushy stunt virus...
. It is classified under the Baltimore classification
Baltimore classification
The Baltimore classification, developed by David Baltimore, is a virus classification system that groups viruses into families, depending on their type of genome and their method of replication....
system as a group IV virus, having a single-stranded, positive-sense
Sense (molecular biology)
In molecular biology and genetics, sense is a concept used to compare the polarity of nucleic acid molecules, such as DNA or RNA, to other nucleic acid molecules...
RNA
RNA
Ribonucleic acid , or RNA, is one of the three major macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life....
genome. Replication occurs in the cytoplasm. The genome is 3800-4300 base pairs long, although the viron contains a longer copy. The viral cycle is complete when assembled viron particles are released during cell lysis.
The virus capsid is non-envoloped with icosahedral symmetry, made up of 32 capsomers. Each subunit consists of 180 proteins. The capsid diameter is around 30nm. By weight, the viron is 80% protein and 20% nucleic acids.
The virus’ natural host is species of Caryophyllaceae
Caryophyllaceae
The Caryophyllaceae, commonly called the pink family or carnation family, is a family of flowering plants. It is included in the dicotyledon order Caryophyllales in the APG III system, alongside 33 other families, including Amaranthaceae, Cactaceae and Polygonaceae...
, responsible for carnation mottle, but it can infect a far larger range of plants. Symptoms are localised lesions where cell death has occurred. The virus spreads via arthropod vectors carrying infected sap. Although the disease is widespread in carnations, the symptoms are relatively mild and do not pose a major problem. In other plants however, such as the Calla lily
Calla Lily
-Botany:* Calla, a genus of common flowering plant in the family Araceae, containing the single species Calla palustris, native to cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
, the disease is of more concern, as the plant is of significant economic importance to Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
.