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TTV, a new human virus with single stranded circular DNA genome
1Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi, Yonago 683-8503, Japan. hino@grape.med.tottori-u.ac.jp
Reviews in Medical Virology
|May 3, 2002
Summary
TorqueTenoVirus (TTV), a human virus with a single-stranded DNA genome, remains poorly understood due to limited cell systems. This review summarizes current knowledge on TTV biology, taxonomy, and prevalence across species.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- TT virus (TTV) was discovered in 1997, but its impact on liver diseases remains uncertain.
- The lack of suitable cell culture systems has hindered research into TTV biology.
- TTV is the first identified human virus with a single-stranded circular DNA genome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of TorqueTenoVirus (TTV) beyond its taxonomic diversity.
- To consolidate information on TTV's genome, prevalence, transmission, and gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on TTV.
- Analysis of TTV genome structure and comparison with related viruses.
- Summary of epidemiological data on TTV prevalence and transmission.
Main Results:
- TTV's genome is single-stranded DNA, with proposed classification in the new family Anelloviridae.
- TTV is prevalent in various animal species, including non-human primates, chickens, pigs, cows, and sheep.
- TTV exhibits mother-to-child transmission, with prevalence equalizing within a year regardless of maternal status.
Conclusions:
- TTV biology remains largely obscure, necessitating further research.
- The proposed nomenclature includes TorqueTenoVirus (TTV) and TorqueTenoMiniVirus (TTMV).
- Further investigation is required to elucidate the functions of TTV-encoded proteins and its role in human health.