Rhizidiovirus
| Rhizidiovirus | |
|---|---|
| Virus classification | |
| Group: | Group I (dsDNA)
|
| Family: | Unassigned
|
| Genus: | Rhizidiovirus
|
| Type species | |
| Rhizidiomyces virus | |
| Species | |
The Rhizidiovirus genus consists of dsDNA viruses[1] that infect stramenopiles.
Virology
The viron is non enveloped, isosahedral with a diameter of 60 nanometers (nm).
The genome is non segmented, linear double stranded DNA and ~25.5 kilobases in length. It has a guanine + cytosine content of 42%. It encodes at least 14 protein with molecular weights between 84.5 to 26 kiloDaltons.
The virus seems to remain latent within the host until the host is stressed.[2] Virons first appear in the nucleus. This is followed by the disintegration of the host nucleus and cytoplasm and their replacement by paracrystalline structures composed of virons. These structures first appear in association with the mitochondria. After the nucleus and cytoplasm have been replaced the cell wall breaks down followed with release of virons into the medium. Vertical transmission also appears to be possible.