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The family Tymoviridae
G P Martelli1, S Sabanadzovic, N Abou-Ghanem Sabanadzovic
1Dipartimento di Protezione delle Piante e Microbiologia Applicata, Università degli Studi and Istituto di Virologia Vegetale del CNR, Bari, Italy.
Archives of Virology
|September 5, 2002
Summary
The Tymoviridae family includes Tymovirus, Marafivirus, and Maculavirus genera, characterized by specific viral particle structures and RNA genomes. These viruses replicate within altered plant organelles, forming unique cytopathic structures.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Plant Pathology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The family Tymoviridae encompasses three genera: Tymovirus, Marafivirus, and Maculavirus.
- Tymoviridae viruses share common characteristics including non-enveloped isometric particles and positive-sense single-stranded RNA genomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the defining characteristics of the Tymoviridae family, including its genera and viral properties.
- To detail the structural, genomic, and replication strategies of Tymoviridae members.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of viral particle morphology and composition.
- Analysis of viral genome structure and gene expression strategies.
- Investigation of virus-induced cytopathic effects in host cells.
Main Results:
- Tymoviridae particles are non-enveloped, isometric (approx. 30 µm), with distinct surface structures and protein subunit arrangements.
- Viral genomes are positive-sense, single-stranded RNA with high cytidine content, capped 5' terminus, and a large ORF encoding replication proteins.
- Replication involves posttranslational cleavage and coat protein expression via subgenomic RNA, with replication occurring in altered chloroplasts/mitochondria.
Conclusions:
- The Tymoviridae family is defined by specific structural and genomic features, including unique replication mechanisms.
- Viral replication leads to the formation of characteristic cytopathic structures derived from host organelles.
- The family comprises 23 Tymovirus, 4 Marafivirus, and 2 Maculavirus species, with one tentative Marafivirus species.