Partitiviridae is a family of double-stranded RNA viruses. Plants, fungi, and protozoa serve as natural hosts. It has been suggested that they can also infect bacteria. The name comes from the Latin partitius, which means divided, and refers to the segmented genome of partitiviruses. The family contains five genera.

Structure

Penicillium stoloniferum virus F (PsV-F), Gammapartititvirus, and PsV-F CP dimer

Viruses in the family Partitiviridae are non-enveloped with icosahedral geometries and T=1 symmetry. The diameter of partitiviruses is around 25–43 nm.

Genome

Genome of atkinsonella hypoxylon virus (AhV) of genus Betapartitivirus

Partitiviruses have double-stranded RNA genomes divided into two genomic segments, and there may be additional subgenomic segments. The two genome segments are packaged in separate virus particles. They code for two separate proteins. The first segment codes for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and the second segment codes for the coat protein. The segments are around 1.4–3.0 kbp in length, while the total genome length is around 3.0–4.8 kbp.

Life cycle

Viral replication is cytoplasmic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by penetration into the host cell. Replication follows the double-stranded RNA virus replication model. Double-stranded RNA virus transcription is the method of transcription. The virus exits the host cell by cell-to-cell movement. Fungi and plants serve as the natural host. Cryspoviruses infect apicomplexan protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium, while viruses of the other genera infect plants and fungi. It has been suggested that they can also infect bacteria.

GenusHost detailsTissue tropismEntry detailsRelease detailsReplication siteAssembly siteTransmission
CryspovirusProtistsNoneCell division; sporogenesis; hyphal anastomosisCell division; sporogenesis; hyphal anastomosisCytoplasmCytoplasmCell division; sporogenesis; hyphal anastomosis
AlphapartitivirusNoneCytoplasmCytoplasmCell division
DeltapartitivirusPlantsNoneViral movement; mechanical inoculationCell divisionCytoplasmCytoplasmCell division
BetapartitivirusNoneCytoplasmCytoplasmCell division
GammapartitivirusFungiNoneCytoplasmic exchange; hyphal anastomosisCytoplasmic exchange; hyphal anastomosisCytoplasmCytoplasmCytoplasmic exchange; hyphal anastomosis

Phylogenetics

Based on the RNA polymerase gene this group can be divided into four clades (I-IV). Four isolates from animals and protozoans form a fifth clade. Clades I–IV consist of mixtures of partitivirus-like sequences from plants and fungi.

Taxonomy

Phylogenetic tree of Partitiviridae

The family contains the following genera:

  • Alphapartitivirus
  • Betapartitivirus
  • Cryspovirus
  • Deltapartitivirus
  • Gammapartitivirus

External links