Partitiviridae
Encyclopedia
Partitiviridae are plant
and fungi group III viruses with double stranded RNA
genomes. Their name comes from the Latin partitius which means divided and they are called this as they have segmented genomes.
There are several genera within the Partitiviridae family:
Partitiviruses mainly infect fungi whereas Alphacryptoviruses and Betacryptoviruses infect plants. The viruses are quite specific when it comes to their host and in plants they are generally transmitted by seeds. Fungal Partitiviruses are generally only transmitted vertically or by hyphal anastomosis. Until recently there was thought to be a fourth genus in this family, the Chrysovirus
which infect fungi such as penicillium
but they have formed their own family called Chrysoviridae which include the Penicillium chrysogenum virus.
Another genus has been described in this family - Cryspovirus. The viruses in this genus infect apicomplexian protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium
.
genomes divided into two genomic segments and there may be additional subgenomic segments. The genome
segments are packaged in the same virus
particle, the larger segment codes for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
and the smaller codes for the coat protein
. The total length of the genome is 3000-10000 nucleotides in length. The virus particle is non-enveloped and icosahedral with a diameter between 30-35 nm.
Plant
Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as trees, flowers, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses, and green algae. The group is also called green plants or...
and fungi group III viruses with double stranded RNA
RNA
Ribonucleic acid , or RNA, is one of the three major macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life....
genomes. Their name comes from the Latin partitius which means divided and they are called this as they have segmented genomes.
There are several genera within the Partitiviridae family:
- Alphacryptovirus example White Clover Cryptic Virus 1 (WCCV-1)
- Betacryptovirus example White Clover Cryptic Virus 2 (WCCV-2)
- Cryspovirus: type species - Cryptosporidium parvum virus 1
- Partitivirus example Atkinsonella hypoxylon virus (AhV)
Partitiviruses mainly infect fungi whereas Alphacryptoviruses and Betacryptoviruses infect plants. The viruses are quite specific when it comes to their host and in plants they are generally transmitted by seeds. Fungal Partitiviruses are generally only transmitted vertically or by hyphal anastomosis. Until recently there was thought to be a fourth genus in this family, the Chrysovirus
Chrysovirus
Chrysoviruses are a group of viruses in the Chrysoviridae family. They are Class III double stranded RNA viruses which infect fungi, in particular Penicillium. Their name is derived from the Greek word chrysos which means yellow-green. The virus particles are non-enveloped and icosohedral with a...
which infect fungi such as penicillium
Penicillium
Penicillium is a genus of ascomycetous fungi of major importance in the natural environment as well as food and drug production. Members of the genus produce penicillin, a molecule that is used as an antibiotic, which kills or stops the growth of certain kinds of bacteria inside the body...
but they have formed their own family called Chrysoviridae which include the Penicillium chrysogenum virus.
Another genus has been described in this family - Cryspovirus. The viruses in this genus infect apicomplexian protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium is a protozoan that can cause gastro-intestinal illness with diarrhea in humans.Cryptosporidium is the organism most commonly isolated in HIV positive patients presenting with diarrhea...
.
Genome and Structure
Partitiviruses have double stranded RNARNA
Ribonucleic acid , or RNA, is one of the three major macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life....
genomes divided into two genomic segments and there may be additional subgenomic segments. The genome
Genome
In modern molecular biology and genetics, the genome is the entirety of an organism's hereditary information. It is encoded either in DNA or, for many types of virus, in RNA. The genome includes both the genes and the non-coding sequences of the DNA/RNA....
segments are packaged in the same virus
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
particle, the larger segment codes for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
RNA polymerase
RNA polymerase is an enzyme that produces RNA. In cells, RNAP is needed for constructing RNA chains from DNA genes as templates, a process called transcription. RNA polymerase enzymes are essential to life and are found in all organisms and many viruses...
and the smaller codes for the coat protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
. The total length of the genome is 3000-10000 nucleotides in length. The virus particle is non-enveloped and icosahedral with a diameter between 30-35 nm.