Lipothrixviridae
Baltimore Classification
Higher order taxa
Viruses; dsDNA viruses, no RNA stage; Lipothrixviridae
Genera
Alphalipothrixvirus, Betalipothrixvirus, Gammalipothrixvirus, unclassified Lipothrixvirus (NCBI Taxonomy)
Description and Significance
Lipothrixviridae is a family of enveloped, lipid-containing filamentous DNA viruses. These viruses infect archae.
Genome Structure
The genome of Lipothrixviridae is not segmented and contains a single molecule of linear double-stranded DNA. The complete genome is 16000 nucleotides long. (source: ICTVdb Descriptions)
Virion Structure of a Lipothrixviridae
The virions of Lipothrixviridae consist of an envelope and a nucleocapsid, The virus capsid is enveloped and the virions are rod-shaped, rigid and have protrusions extending from the core through the envelope that arise asymmetrically from both ends. The virions measure 38 nm in diameter and are 410 nm long with a tight fitting membrane. The envelope has no surface projections. The capsid is elongated and exhibits helical symmetry and the core is helical. (source: ICTVdb Descriptions)
