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ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Thaspiviridae 2021
Jong-Geol Kim1, Khaled S Gazi2, Mart Krupovic3
1Department of Biological Sciences, Wonkwang University, Iksan, 54538, Republic of Korea.
The Journal of General Virology
|July 30, 2021
Summary
The newly identified Thaspiviridae virus family infects ammonia-oxidizing archaea, impacting host growth without lysis. This discovery expands our understanding of microbial virus-host interactions in marine environments.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Microbiology
- Archaea
Background:
- Members of the family *Thaspiviridae* possess linear dsDNA genomes (27–29 kbp).
- These are the first identified viruses to infect mesophilic ammonia-oxidizing archaea within the phylum Thaumarchaeota.
- The morphology of Nitrosopumilus spindle-shaped virus 1 is spindle-shaped, measuring 64±3 nm in diameter and 112±6 nm in length, with short tails.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) report on the family *Thaspiviridae*.
- To describe the characteristics and host interactions of viruses within this newly defined family.
Main Methods:
- Morphological characterization of virions.
- Genome analysis of dsDNA viruses.
- Observation of virus-host replication dynamics.
Main Results:
- The *Thaspiviridae* family comprises viruses with linear dsDNA genomes.
- Nitrosopumilus spindle-shaped virus 1 exhibits unique spindle-shaped morphology, similar to *Fuselloviridae* and *Halspiviridae*.
- Virus replication results in host growth inhibition rather than lysis.
Conclusions:
- The establishment of the *Thaspiviridae* family provides a new taxonomic framework for viruses infecting Thaumarchaeota.
- The non-lytic replication strategy of these viruses offers insights into unique virus-host interactions.
- This research highlights the diversity of viral life in archaeal communities.
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