Marseillevirus is a genus of viruses, in the family Marseilleviridae. There are two species in this genus. It is the prototype of a family of nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDV) of eukaryotes (commonly known as Giant Viruses). It was isolated from amoeba.
Taxonomy The genus contains the following species: Marseillevirus marseillevirus Senegalvirus marseillevirus
History The virus is named after the French city of Marseille.
Structure Viruses in Marseillevirus have icosahedral geometries. The diameter is around 250 nm. The genome has 457 open reading frames and is circular. The genome has a length of 368 kb, with a G+C content of 44.73%. It encodes a minimum of 49 proteins.
The genome of the virus includes typical NCLDV core genes and genes apparently obtained from eukaryotic hosts and their parasites or symbionts, both bacterial and viral, through probably horizontal gene transfer mechanism.
Genus Structure Symmetry Capsid Genomic arrangement Genomic segmentationMarseillevirusIcosahedralCircular
Life cycle Viral replication is nucleo-cytoplasmic. DNA-templated transcription is the method of transcription. Amoeba serve as the natural host.
Genus Host details Tissue tropism Entry details Release details Replication site Assembly site TransmissionMarseillevirusAmoebaNoneFusionLysisCytoplasmCytoplasmDiffusion in Water
See also Other giant viruses: Mimivirus Mamavirus Emiliania huxleyi virus 86
References
External links Viralzone: Marseillevirus ICTV