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Descriptions are generated automatically from the ICTVdB database including links. Some descriptions are only very basic and links may point to documents that are not yet published on the Web.

00.061.1. Orthoretrovirinae

Cite this publication as: ICTVdB Management (2006). 00.061.1. Orthoretrovirinae. In: ICTVdB - The Universal Virus Database, version 4. Büchen-Osmond, C. (Ed), Columbia University, New York, USA

Cite this site as: ICTVdB - The Universal Virus Database, version 4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ICTVdb/ICTVdB/

Table of Contents

Classification

This is a description of a vertebrate virus at the subfamily level.

ICTVdB Virus Code: 00.061.1. Virus accession number: 0611SFAM. Obsolete virus code: 61.; superceded accession number: 61000000.
NCBI Taxon Identifier NCBI Taxonomy ID: 327045.

Name, Synonyms and Lineage

Synonym(s): RNA tumor virus group (and related agents). Virus is of the family 00.061. Retroviridae.

Virion Properties

Morphology

Virions consist of an envelope, a nucleocapsid, and a nucleoid. Virus capsid is enveloped. Virions are spherical to pleomorphic. Virions measure 80-100 nm in diameter. Surface projections are densely dispersed, small or distinctive glycoprotein spikes that cover evenly the surface. Surface projections are 8 nm long. The nucleoid is concentric, or eccentric. The core is spherical.

Only one species is recovered in preparations.

Physicochemical and Physical Properties

Virions have a buoyant density in sucrose of 1.13-1.18 g cm^-3.

Nucleic Acid

The Mr of the genome constitutes 2% of the virion by weight. The genome is dimeric (monomers held together by hydrogen bonds, not segmented and contains a single molecule of linear. The genome is -RT. The genome is positive-sense, single-stranded RNA. Minor species of non-genomic nucleic acid are also found in virions. The encapsidated nucleic acid is mainly of genomic origin, but virions may also contain nucleic acid of host origin including host RNA and fragments of host DNA (believed to be incidental inclusions). The complete genome is of one monomer 7000-11000 nucleotides long. The 5'-end of the genome has a methylated nucleotide cap; cap sequence type is of type 1 m7G5ppp5'GmpNp. The 3'-terminus has of each monomer a poly (A) tract. The 3'-terminus has a tRNA-like structure.

GenBank records for nucleotide sequences; complete genome sequences.

Proteins

Proteins constitute about 60% of the particle weight.

The viral genome encodes structural proteins and non-structural proteins.

Non-Structural Proteins: The virus codes for an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase.

Lipids

Lipids are present and located in the envelope. Virions are composed of 35% lipids by weight. The composition of viral lipids and host cell membranes are similar. The lipids are of host origin and are derived from plasma membranes.

Polyamines

Other compounds that have been detected in the virus particles are 3% carbohydrates.

Genome Organization and Replication

By itself, genomic nucleic acid is not infectious (when purified).

Translation: Replication involves a reverse transcription step.

Diagnostics and Reference Collections

The best tests for diagnosis are

Biological Properties

Natural Host

Virus infects during its life cycle a single type of vertebrate host.
Domain
Viral hosts belong to the Domain Eucarya.

Domain Eucarya
Kingdom Animalia.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata.

Phylum Vertebrata
Subphylum Vertebrata.

Class Osteichthyes, or Reptilia, or Aves, or Mammalia.

Class Mammalia Order Primates;
Family Hominidae.
Virus infects Homo sapiens (human).

Taxonomic Structure of the Family

00.061.1.01. Betaretrovirus
00.061.1.02. Gammaretrovirus
00.061.1.03. Alpharetrovirus
00.061.1.05. Deltaretrovirus
00.061.1.06. Lentivirus.

Data Sources and Contributions

The description has been compiled from data in the ICTV Report presented by Coffin JM, Essex M, Gallo R, Graf TM, Hinuma Y, Hunter E, Jaenisch R, Nusse R, Oroszlan S, Svoboda J, Teich N, Toyoshima K, Varmus H.

References

The following generic references are cited in the most recent ICTV Report.

PubMed References. A World Wide Web tutorial on this virus is provided by the Virology Departments, University of Leicester, UK: (

Taxonomic Proposals and Changes

In view of current knowledge of retroviruses, the "previous" classification into subfamilies (Oncovirinae, Lentivirinae, Spumavirinae) is no longer appropriate, since the genera that made up, for example, Oncovirinae are no more closely related (or similar) to one another than they are to members of other previously designed subfamilies. Retroviruses are currently classified into 2 Subfamilies and 7 Genera.

The description has been generated automatically from DELTA files.

ICTVdB - The Universal Virus Database, developed for the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) by Dr Cornelia Büchen-Osmond, is written in DELTA. The virus descriptions in ICTVdB are coded by ICTV members and experts, or by the ICTVdB Management using data provided by the experts, the literature or the latest ICTV Report. The character list is the underlying code. All virus descriptions are based on the character list and natural language translations from the encoded descriptions are automatically generated and formatted for display on the Web.

Developer of the DELTA software: M. J. Dallwitz, T. Paine and E. Zurcher

ICTVdB and DELTA related References

Comments to ICTVdB Management
Last updated on 25 April 2006 by Cornelia Büchen-Osmond
Copyright © 2002 International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. All rights reserved.

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