| Ascovirus | |
|---|---|
| Virus classification | |
| Group: | Group I (dsDNA) |
| Families | |
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Asfarviridae |
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The nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses or NCLDV refers to a number of families of large eukaryotic DNA viruses:
One unassigned genus Dinodnavirus also belongs to this clade.
All have both common and unique features of genomic DNA and virion structure. It remains uncertain whether the similarities of different families of this grouping of NCLDV are due to independent recruitment of the same or related host genes during viral replication or if they simply share a common viral ancestor, although the latter is under heavy scrutiny and controversy [1]
There are 47 NCLDVs core genes currently recognised. These include the four key proteins are involved in DNA replication and repair. These include the enzymes DNA polymerase family B, the topoisomerase II A, the Flap endonuclease and the processing factor Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen. Other proteins include the DNA dependant RNA polymerase II and transcription factor II B.
It is probable that these viruses evolved before the separation of eukaryoyes into the extant crown groups. The ancestral genome was complex with at least 41 genes including (1) the replication machinery (2) up to four RNA polymerase subunits (3) at least three transcription factors (4) capping and polyadenylation enzymes (5) the DNA packaging apparatus (6) and structural components of an icosahedral capsid and the viral membrane.
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