Rhizidiovirus

Rhizidiovirus is a genus of viruses in the family Mimiviridae. Viruses in Rhizidiovirus are enveloped, with icosahedral and spherical geometries. The diameter is around 400-500 nm. Genomes are linear and non-segmented, around 1.2mb in length.

Taxonomy

The genus contains the following species:

• Rhizidiomyces virus
• Rhizophydium virus

Structure

Viruses in Rhizidiovirus are enveloped, with icosahedral and spherical geometries, and T=972 symmetry. The diameter is around 400-500 nm. The genome is linear and non-segmented, around 1.2mb in length.

Life Cycle

Viral replication is cytoplasmic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by adsorption into the host cell. Replication follows the DNA strand displacement model. DNA-templated transcription, with some alternative splicing mechanism is the method of transcription. The virus exits the host cell by nuclear pore export, and existing in occlusion bodies after cell death and remaining infectious until finding another host. Fungi serve as the natural host.

Pathogenesis

Rhizidiovirus primarily infects fungi, specifically those in the Rhizidiomycetes class. The virus is transmitted via a passive mechanism, where it remains infectious in the environment until it encounters a suitable host. The exact mechanism of pathogenesis is not well understood, but it is believed to involve the disruption of normal cellular processes in the host organism.

See Also

• Mimiviridae
• Virology
• Fungi