Bunyaviridae
Baltimore Classification
Higher order taxa
Virus; ssRNA negative-strand viruses; Bunyaviridae
Genera
Hantavirus, Orthobunyavirus, Nairovirus, Phlebovirus, Topsovirus
Description and Significance
Bunyaviridae is the largest family of viruses, with over 200 species.
Genome Structure
The bunyavirus genome is monomeric and consists of three segments of linear negative-sense (or ambisense, depending on the genus) RNA. The terminal sequences of each segment are base-paired. Because of this, the RNAs form non-covalently closed circles. The nucleotide sequences at the3'-terminus and the 5'-terminus are complimentary, forming panhandle structures. The 5'-terminus is not capped.
The complete genome is 10500-22700 nucleotides long. The three segments of the genome are labeled L, M, and S. The L segment is 6300-12000 nucleotides long and encodes the viral RNA polymerase. The M segment is 3500-6000 nucleotides long and encodes two glycoproteins as a single gene product that is usually co-translationally cleaved. The S segments is 1000-2200 nucleotides long and encodes the coat protein.
Virion Structure of a Bunyavirus
Reproduction Cycle of a Bunyavirus in a Host Cell
Viral Ecology & Pathology
References. Updated June 13, 2006
Descriptions of Plant Viruses: Notes on Family: Bunyaviridae
ICTVdB - The Universal Virus Database, version 3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ICTVdb/ICTVdB/