''Megabirnaviridae'' is a family of double-stranded RNA viruses with one genus ''Megabirnavirus'' which infects

fungi A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one ...

. The group name derives from member's ''bi''partite ds''RNA'' genome and ''mega'' that is greater genome size (16 kbp) than families '' Birnaviridae'' (6 kbp) and '' Picobirnaviridae'' (4 kbp). The genus has five species. Diseases associated with this family include: reduced host

virulence Virulence is a pathogen's or microorganism's ability to cause damage to a host. In most cases, especially in animal systems, virulence refers to the degree of damage caused by a microbe to its host. The pathogenicity of an organism—its abili ...

Structure

Viruses in the family ''Megabirnaviridae'' are non-enveloped, with icosahedral geometries, and T=1 symmetry. The diameter is around 50 nm.

Genome

The genome is composed of two double-stranded RNA segments of 7.2–8.9 kbp each and of a total length of 16.1 kbp. The genome codes for four proteins.

Life cycle

Viral replication is

cytoplasm The cytoplasm describes all the material within a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell, enclosed by the cell membrane, including the organelles and excluding the nucleus in eukaryotic cells. The material inside the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell a ...

ic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by penetration into the host cell. Replication follows the double-stranded RNA virus replication model. Double-stranded RNA virus transcription is the method of transcription. The virus exits the host cell by cell to cell movement. Fungi serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are parental and sexual.

Taxonomy

The family ''Megabirnaviridae'' has one genus, ''Megabirnavirus'', which has the following species: * '' Megabirnavirus go'' * '' Megabirnavirus ichi'' (Rosellinia necatrix megabirnavirus 1) * '' Megabirnavirus ni'' * '' Megabirnavirus sani'' * '' Megabirnavirus shi''

References

External links

ICTV Report: ''Megabirnaviridae''

{{Taxonbar, from=Q18811491 Virus families Riboviria