Scutavirus | |
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Virus classification | |
Group: | Group I (dsDNA) |
Order: | Herpesvirales |
Family: | Herpesviridae |
Subfamily: | Alphaherpesvirinae |
Genus: | Scutavirus |
Type Species | |
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Scutavirus is a genus of viruses in the order Herpesvirales, in the family Herpesviridae, in the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae. Sea turtles serve as natural hosts. There is currently only one species in this genus: the type species Chelonid herpesvirus 5. Diseases associated with this genus include: fibropapillomatosis.
Group: dsDNA
Viruses in Scutavirus are enveloped, with icosahedral, spherical to pleomorphic, and round geometries, and T=16 symmetry. The diameter is around 150-200 nm. Genomes are linear and non-segmented.
Viral replication is nuclear, and is lysogenic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by attachment of the viral gB, gC, gD and gH proteins to host receptors, which mediates endocytosis. Replication follows the dsDNA bidirectional replication model. DNA-templated transcription, with some alternative splicing mechanism is the method of transcription. The virus exits the host cell by nuclear egress, and budding. Sea turtles serve as the natural host.