Pandoraviridae
| Pandoraviridae | |
|---|---|
| Virus classification | |
| Group: | Group I (dsDNA) |
| Order: | Unassigned |
| Family: | Pandoraviridae |
| Genus: | Pandoravirus |
| Species | |
Pandoraviridae is a family of double-stranded DNA viruses that infect amoebae. There is only one genus in this family (Pandoravirus). Within this genus, two species have been described to date: Pandoravirus dulcis and Pandoravirus salinus.[1][2]
History
The viruses were discovered in 2013.[1][2]
Description
The viruses in this family are the second largest known virus (~1 micrometer) in capsid length, after Pithovirus (1.5 micrometer).[3] Pandoravirus has the largest viral genome known, containing 1.9 to 2.5 megabases of DNA.[4] Pithovirus has a thick, oval wall with an opening at one end. Internally, its structure resembles a honeycomb.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Yong, Ed (18 July 2013). "Giant viruses open Pandora's box". Nature. doi:10.1038/nature.2013.13410.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nadège Philippe; Matthieu Legendre; Gabriel Doutre et al. (July 2013). "Pandoraviruses: Amoeba Viruses with Genomes Up to 2.5 Mb Reaching That of Parasitic Eukaryotes". Science 341 (6143): 281–6. Bibcode:2013Sci...341..281P. doi:10.1126/science.1239181. PMID 23869018.
- ↑ Sirucek, Stefan (3 March 2014). "Ancient "Giant Virus" Revived From Siberian Permafrost". National Geographic.
- ↑ Brumfiel, Geoff (18 July 2013). "World's Biggest Virus May Have Ancient Roots". National Public Radio. Retrieved 18 July 2013.