''Qubevirus'' is a genus of

positive-strand RNA viruses Positive-strand RNA viruses (+ssRNA viruses) are a group of related viruses that have positive-sense, single-stranded genomes made of ribonucleic acid. The positive-sense genome can act as messenger RNA (mRNA) and can be directly translated i ...

, in the family ''

Fiersviridae ''Fiersviridae'' is a family of positive-strand RNA viruses which infect prokaryotes. Bacteria serve as the natural host. They are small viruses with linear, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genomes that encode four proteins. All phages of th ...

''.

Enterobacteria Enterobacteriaceae is a large family of Gram-negative bacteria. It was first proposed by Rahn in 1936, and now includes over 30 genera and more than 100 species. Its classification above the level of family is still a subject of debate, but on ...

serve as natural hosts. There are two species in this genus. In 2020, the genus was renamed from ''Allolevivirus'' to its current name.

Structure

Viruses in ''Qubevirus'' are non-enveloped, with icosahedral and spherical geometries, and T=3 symmetry. The diameter is around 26 nm.

Genome

Qubeviruses have a

positive-sense In molecular biology and genetics, the sense of a nucleic acid molecule, particularly of a strand of DNA or RNA, refers to the nature of the roles of the strand and its complement in specifying a sequence of amino acids. Depending on the contex ...

, single-stranded RNA genome. The genome is linear and non-segmented and around 4kb in length. The genome codes for four proteins, which are the

coat A coat typically is an outer garment for the upper body as worn by either gender for warmth or fashion. Coats typically have long sleeves and are open down the front and closing by means of buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, toggles ...

replicase RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) or RNA replicase is an enzyme that catalyzes the replication of RNA from an RNA template. Specifically, it catalyzes synthesis of the RNA strand complementary to a given RNA template. This is in contrast to t ...

, maturation, and

lysis Lysis ( ) is the breaking down of the membrane of a cell, often by viral, enzymic, or osmotic (that is, "lytic" ) mechanisms that compromise its integrity. A fluid containing the contents of lysed cells is called a ''lysate''. In molecular bio ...

protein.

Life cycle

Entry into the host cell is achieved by

adsorption Adsorption is the adhesion of atoms, ions or molecules from a gas, liquid or dissolved solid to a surface. This process creates a film of the ''adsorbate'' on the surface of the ''adsorbent''. This process differs from absorption, in which ...

into the host cell. Replication follows the positive-strand RNA virus replication model. Positive-strand RNA virus

transcription Transcription refers to the process of converting sounds (voice, music etc.) into letters or musical notes, or producing a copy of something in another medium, including: Genetics * Transcription (biology), the copying of DNA into RNA, the fir ...

is the method of transcription.

Translation Translation is the communication of the Meaning (linguistic), meaning of a #Source and target languages, source-language text by means of an Dynamic and formal equivalence, equivalent #Source and target languages, target-language text. The ...

takes place by suppression of termination. The virus exits the host cell by bacteria lysis. Enterobacteria serve as the natural host.

Taxonomy

The genus ''Qubevirus'' has the following two species: * ''Qubevirus durum'', commonly called bacteriophage Qbeta * ''Qubevirus faecium''

References

External links

Viralzone: Allolevivirus

ICTV
{{Taxonbar, from=Q16999956 Virus genera Fiersviridae