Tymoviridae
Tymoviridae is a family of single-stranded positive sense RNA viruses in the order Tymovirales. Plants serve as natural hosts. There are currently 41 species in this family, divided among 3 genera, with two species unassigned to a genus.
Taxonomy
The largest of three genera is Tymovirus with 28 species, whereas the other genera, Marafivirus and Maculavirus have 10 and 1 species respectively. The following species are not assigned to a genus:- Bombyx mori latent virus
- Poinsettia mosaic virus
Proposed viruses
- Culex tymovirus
- Fig fleck-associated virus
Virology
The linear genome is between of 6-7.5 kilobases in length and encodes one large open reading frame. It is capped at the 5’ terminus. The 3’ terminus may have a tRNA-like structure or a polyA tract, depending upon the species. The genome is relatively cytosine rich.
Genus | Structure | Symmetry | Capsid | Genomic arrangement | Genomic segmentation |
Maculavirus | Icosahedral | T=3 | Non-enveloped | Linear | Monopartite |
Marafivirus | Icosahedral | T=3 | Non-enveloped | Linear | Monopartite |
Tymovirus | Icosahedral | T=3 | Non-enveloped | Linear | Monopartite |
Life cycle
Viral replication is cytoplasmic, and is lysogenic. 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. The virus exits the host cell by monopartite non-tubule guided viral movement.Plants serve as the natural host. The virus is transmitted via a vector. Transmission routes are vector and mechanical.
Genus | Host details | Tissue tropism | Entry details | Release details | Replication site | Assembly site | Transmission |
Maculavirus | Plants | - | Viral movement; mechanical inoculation | Viral movement | Cytoplasm | Cytoplasm | Mechanical inoculation: pseudococcid mealybugs; Mechanical inoculation: aphids |
Marafivirus | Plants | - | Viral movement; mechanical inoculation | Viral movement | Cytoplasm | Cytoplasm | Mechanical inoculation: pseudococcid mealybugs; Mechanical inoculation: aphids |
Tymovirus | Plants | - | Viral movement; mechanical inoculation | Viral movement | Cytoplasm | Cytoplasm | Mechanical: beetles; sap |