Notes on Family: Anelloviridae

icosahedra

General Description

This family has been created to include viruses previously classified in the genus Anellovirus, but which has proved very diverse. It contains viruses infecting vertebrates which have a circular single stranded DNA genome usually larger than 2.5kb. The name is derived from the latin for 'ring' to reflect the circular nature of the genome. There are some similarities to viruses with a smaller genome that are classified in the genus Gyrovirus.

Morphology

Virions isometric (icosahedral), not enveloped, 19-27 nm in diameter.

Genomen

Monopartite, circular, positive sense, single-stranded DNA of 2.1-3.9 kb with two major overlapping ORFs encoding a replication protein and the coat protein. Additional ORFs are present in some species.

Genera in the Family

Genera are demarcated on genome size and phylogenetic analyses. There may also be some association with host:

Alphatorquevirus, viruses of 3.1-3.9 kb previously classified as Torque teno virus
Betatorquevirus, viruses with small genomes (2.7-2.9 kb) previously described as Torque teno mini virus
Gammatorquevirus, viruses with intermediate (about 3.2 kb) genomes previous described as Torque teno midi virus
Deltatorquevirus, viruses of Tupaia (tree shrew) with genome of 2.2 kb
Epsilontorquevirus, viruses from tamarin monkey with genome of 3.4 kb
Etatorquevirus, viruses of cats with genome of 2.1 kb
Thetatorquevirus, viruses of dogs with genome of 2.8 kb
Zetatorquevirus, viruses from Douroucouli (owl monkey) with genome of 3.7 kb
Iotatorquevirus, viruses of pigs with genome of 2.9 kb
Kappatorquevirus, viruses of pigs with genome of 2.7 kb
Lambdatorquevirus, viruses of Californian sea lion with genome of 2.1 kb