Family: Caliciviridae

Genus: Minovirus

Distinguishing features

The strains in this genus form a distinct clade within the family Caliciviridae (Figure 4. Caliciviridae).  ORF1 of minovirus encodes a polyprotein that shares 21% amino acid identity with caliciviruses in the genus Salovirus, which also have been detected in fish species, followed by 11% to 14% amino acid identity with mammalian caliciviruses. 

Virion 

See discussion under family description. 

Genome organization and replication

The genome of minovirus is 7.4 kb and contains two ORFs (ORF1 and ORF2). ORF1 encodes a 2,114-aa polyprotein. Amino acid motif analysis of ORF1 indicates the presence of conserved calicivirus protein motifs corresponding to both non-structural proteins and the major capsid protein (VP1). The protein encoded by ORF2 of minovirus has a calculated molecular weight of 12.8 kDa. 

Biology

During regulatory sampling of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), a novel calicivirus was isolated from homogenates of kidney and spleen that were inoculated into bluegill fry (BF-2) cells (Mor et al., 2017). 

Species demarcation criteria 

Not defined as there is only one species in the genus.