Inovirus
| Inovirus | |
|---|---|
| Virus classification | |
| Group: | Group II (ssDNA) |
| Family: | Inoviridae |
| Genus: | Inovirus |
| Type Species | |
Inovirus is a genus of viruses, in the family Inoviridae. Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (specifically Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Spirillaceae, Xanthomonadaceae, Clostridium and Propionibacterium) serve as natural hosts. There are currently 36 species in this genus including the type species Enterobacteria phage M13. The name of the genus is derived from the Greek word Ίνα meaning 'fibre'.
Group: ssDNA
Inovirus virions consist of a non-enveloped, rod-shaped capsid with helical symmetry. The virions are between 760 and 1950 nm in length and 6-8 nm in width.
There capsid consists of 5 or more proteins: gp8 (the major capsid protein); gp6, gp7 and gp8 (minor capsid proteins); and gp3 which acts as the initial host binding protein.
The genomes are circular, positive-sense, single-stranded DNA 4.4-8.5 kilobases in length. They encode 4 to 11 proteins. Replication of the genome occurs via a dsDNA intermediate and the rolling circle mechanism. Gene transcription is by the host's cellular machinery each gene having a specific promoter.
The viral protein gp2 plays an essential role in viral DNA replication. It binds to the origin of replication, and cleaves the dsDNA intermediate, allowing DNA replication to initiate at the cleavage site. After one round of rolling circle synthesis, gp2 is linked to the newly synthesized ssDNA and joins the ends of the displaced strand to generate a new circular single-stranded molecule ready to be packed into a virion.
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