Retroviridae

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource

Baltimore Classification

Higher order taxa

Viruses; Retro-transcribing viruses; Reoviridae

Genera

Alpharetrovirus, Betaretrovirus, Spumavirus (examples)

Description and Significance

Genome Structure

The genome of retroviridae is dimeric, unsegmented and contains a single molecule of linear. The genome is -RT and a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA. Minor species of non-genomic nucleic acid are also found in virions. The encapsidated nucleic acid is mainly of genomic origin but virions may also contain nucleic acid of host origin, including host RNA and fragments of host DNA believed to be incidental inclusions. The complete genome of one monomer is 700-11000 nucleotides long. The 5'-end of the genome has a methylated nucleotide cap with a cap sequence type 1 m7G5ppp5'GmpNp. The 3'-terminus of each monomer has a poly (A) tract and the terminus has a tRNA-like structure.

Virion Structure of a (virus name here)

Reproduction Cycle of a (virus name here) in a Host Cell

Viral Ecology & Pathology

References