Picovirinae


Picovirinae is a subfamily of viruses in the order Caudovirales, in the family Podoviridae. Bacteria serve as natural hosts. There are currently nine species in this subfamily, divided among 3 genera, with two of the species being unassigned to a genus.

Taxonomy

The following genera are recognized:
The following species are unassigned to a genus:
Two bacteriophages in this family have been found to infect and lyse Clostridium perfringens. Another virus that has been isolated is so unlike the known members that it may belong to a new genus.

Structure

Viruses in Picovirinae are non-enveloped, with icosahedral or prolate heads of about 50–55 nm in diameter, and short tails. Genomes are linear, double stranded DNA, and are relatively small -hence the term pico-virinae. Picoviruses package linear, monomeric genomes with a terminal protein covalently attached to each end.

Life cycle

Viral replication is cytoplasmic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by adsorption into the host cell. Replication follows the DNA strand displacement model. DNA-templated transcription is the method of transcription. Bacteria serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are passive diffusion. They also use a typical protein primed DNA polymerase for replication, a property shared with the Tectiviridae family.