Ovaliviridae

Ovaliviridae is a family of viruses that are known to infect bacterial hosts. The family name is derived from the Latin word ovalis, meaning egg-shaped, which refers to the unique morphology of the viruses in this family.

Taxonomy

The family Ovaliviridae is classified under the order Caudovirales, which includes all bacteriophages with a tail. The family is further divided into two genera: Ovalivirus and Ellipsovirus. Each genus is characterized by distinct morphological features and host range.

Structure

Viruses in the Ovaliviridae family are non-enveloped and possess an icosahedral capsid, which is a characteristic feature of this family. The capsid is made up of protein subunits that form a shell around the viral genome. The viruses are unique in their oval or elliptical shape, which is a departure from the more common spherical or rod-shaped viruses.

Genome

The viruses in the Ovaliviridae family possess a double-stranded DNA genome. The size of the genome varies among different viruses in the family, but it generally ranges from 40 to 50 kilobase pairs. The genome encodes for various proteins that are involved in the viral life cycle, including proteins for DNA replication, transcription, virion assembly, and host lysis.

Replication

The replication cycle of Ovaliviridae viruses begins with the attachment of the virus to the host cell, followed by the injection of the viral DNA into the host. The viral DNA then hijacks the host's replication machinery to replicate its own genome. The newly synthesized viral proteins and genomes are assembled into new virions, which are released from the host cell by lysis.

Pathogenicity

Viruses in the Ovaliviridae family are known to infect a wide range of bacterial hosts. They play a significant role in controlling bacterial populations in various environments. However, their pathogenicity to humans or other animals is currently unknown.

Research and Applications

Research on Ovaliviridae is still in its early stages. However, due to their ability to infect and kill bacteria, these viruses have potential applications in phage therapy, a form of treatment that uses bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections.

See Also

• Virus classification
• Bacteriophage
• Phage therapy