Artoviridae

Artoviridae

The Artoviridae is a family of viruses that belong to the order Mononegavirales. This family includes viruses that primarily infect arthropods, such as insects and arachnids. The name "Artoviridae" is derived from "Arthropod" and "virus," reflecting the primary hosts of these viruses.

Characteristics

Artoviridae viruses are characterized by their non-segmented, negative-sense single-stranded RNA genomes. The genome is typically linear and encodes several proteins necessary for the virus's replication and assembly. These viruses have a helical nucleocapsid and are enveloped, meaning they have a lipid membrane surrounding their protein capsid.

Genome

The genome of Artoviridae viruses is approximately 10-15 kilobases in length. It encodes for structural proteins, such as the nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), matrix protein (M), glycoprotein (G), and the large protein (L) which functions as the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Replication Cycle

The replication cycle of Artoviridae viruses begins with the attachment of the virus to the host cell surface receptors, followed by entry into the host cell. Once inside, the viral RNA is released into the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template for transcription and replication. The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase synthesizes mRNA from the viral genome, which is then translated into viral proteins by the host cell's ribosomes. New viral particles are assembled in the cytoplasm and are released from the host cell by budding, acquiring their envelope from the host cell membrane.

Hosts and Transmission

Artoviridae viruses primarily infect arthropods, including insects such as mosquitoes and ticks. These viruses can be transmitted between arthropods through direct contact or via environmental exposure. Some members of the Artoviridae family have been studied for their potential to infect vertebrates, but their primary hosts remain arthropods.

Taxonomy

The Artoviridae family is part of the order Mononegavirales, which also includes other families such as Rhabdoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, and Filoviridae. The classification of Artoviridae is based on genetic and structural characteristics, as well as host range and ecological niche.

Research and Importance

Research on Artoviridae is important for understanding the ecology and evolution of arthropod-borne viruses. These viruses can serve as models for studying virus-host interactions and the mechanisms of viral transmission. Additionally, understanding the biology of Artoviridae can aid in the development of strategies to control vector populations and prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases.

Also see

• Mononegavirales
• Rhabdoviridae
• Paramyxoviridae
• Filoviridae
• Arthropod-borne viruses