ICTV Report

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
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".