Mouviricetes

Mouviricetes

Mouviricetes is a class of viruses within the realm Riboviria, which encompasses viruses with RNA genomes. This class is part of the order Nidovirales, known for its members that possess large, positive-sense single-stranded RNA genomes. Mouviricetes includes viruses that infect a variety of hosts, including mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Taxonomy

Mouviricetes is classified under the following taxonomic hierarchy:

• Realm: Riboviria
• Kingdom: Orthornavirae
• Phylum: Kitrinoviricota
• Class: Mouviricetes

The class Mouviricetes is further divided into several families, each containing multiple genera and species. These families include:

• Coronaviridae
• Arteriviridae

Characteristics

Viruses in the class Mouviricetes are characterized by their large RNA genomes, which can range from 26 to 32 kilobases in length. They have a unique replication strategy that involves the synthesis of a nested set of subgenomic mRNAs. This replication strategy is facilitated by a complex of non-structural proteins encoded by the viral genome.

Genome Structure

The genome of Mouviricetes viruses is typically organized into several open reading frames (ORFs). The first ORF encodes a polyprotein that is processed into non-structural proteins involved in replication and transcription. Subsequent ORFs encode structural proteins, such as the spike, envelope, membrane, and nucleocapsid proteins.

Replication Cycle

The replication cycle of Mouviricetes viruses begins with the attachment of the virus to the host cell surface via specific receptors. Following entry into the host cell, the viral RNA genome is released into the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template for translation and replication. The replication complex synthesizes a full-length negative-sense RNA, which is then used to produce new positive-sense genomic RNA and subgenomic mRNAs.

Pathogenesis

Mouviricetes viruses are known to cause a range of diseases in their hosts. For example, members of the family Coronaviridae include viruses responsible for respiratory illnesses in humans, such as SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19.

Research and Implications

Research on Mouviricetes viruses is crucial for understanding viral evolution, host-virus interactions, and the development of antiviral therapies. The study of these viruses has led to significant advancements in vaccine development, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also see

• Riboviria
• Coronaviridae
• Arteriviridae
• Viral replication
• RNA virus

Virus classification

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Diagram of a virus structure