ICTV Report

 

Family: Lipothrixviridae (interim Report)

This is a summary page created by the ICTV Report Editors using information from associated Taxonomic Proposals and the Master Species List.

Edited by: Mart Krupovic
Posted: April 2023

Summary

The family Lipothrixviridae includes double-stranded DNA viruses infecting hyperthermophilic archaea of the order Sulfolobales (Table 1.Lipothrixviridae). The family was assigned to the realm Adnaviria in 2021 (Master Species List 36).

Table 1.Lipothrixviridae. Characteristics of members of the family Lipothrixviridae.

CharacteristicDescription
ExampleSulfolobus islandicus filamentous virus (AF440571), species Sulfolobus islandicus filamentous virus, genus Betalipothrixvirus
VirionFilamentous, enveloped particle, nucleoprotein core with heterodimeric major capsid proteins
GenomeLinear, double-stranded DNA genome of 31–40 kbp
ReplicationCytoplasmic, lytic, virus is enveloped inside the cell and released through pyramidal portals
TranslationNot studied
Host rangeHyperthermophilic archaea of the order Sulfolobales
TaxonomyRealm Adnaviria, kingdom Zilligvirae, phylum Taleaviricota, class Tokiviricetes, order Ligamenvirales: 3 genera and 10 species
Lipothrixviridae genome
Figure 1.Lipothrixviridae. Genome organisation of a member of the family Lipothrixviridae. Boxes indicate open reading frames as annotated on the GenBank accession AF440571.
Lipothrixviridae taxonomy
Figure 2.Lipothrixviridae. Relationships of the taxa connected to the family Lipothrixviridae.

Derivation of name

Lipothrixviridae: from the Greek, lipothrix meaning "fat hair".