Family: Lipothrixviridae (interim)
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.
Characteristic |
Description |
Example |
Sulfolobus islandicus filamentous virus (AF440571), species Sulfolobus islandicus filamentous virus, genus Betalipothrixvirus |
Virion |
Filamentous, enveloped particle, nucleoprotein core with heterodimeric major capsid proteins |
Genome |
Linear, double-stranded DNA genome of 31–40 kbp |
Replication |
Cytoplasmic, lytic, virus is enveloped inside the cell and released through pyramidal portals |
Translation |
Not studied |
Host range |
Hyperthermophilic archaea of the order Sulfolobales |
Taxonomy |
Realm Adnaviria, kingdom Zilligvirae, phylum Taleaviricota, class Tokiviricetes, order Ligamenvirales: 3 genera and 10 species |
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Figure 1.Lipothrixviridae. Genome organisation of a member of the family Lipothrixviridae. Boxes indicate open reading frames as annotated on the GenBank accession AF440571. |
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Figure 2.Lipothrixviridae. Relationships of the taxa connected to the family Lipothrixviridae. |
Derivation of name
Lipothrixviridae: from the Greek, lipothrix meaning "fat hair".