Notes on Family: ds satellite RNAs
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no particles of their own
Contents
- Members of this Family
- General Description
- Morphology
- Genome
- Genera in the Family
- All Known Sequences
- Curated Sequences
General Description
Satellites are sub-viral agents composed of nucleic acid molecules that depend for their replication on co-infection of a host cell with a specific helper virus. Nucleotide sequences are substantially distinct from those of the genomes of the helper virus and of the host. Replication of the helper virus is often decreased and virus symptoms may be modified.Satellite nucleic acids consist of those satellites that do not encode their own coat protein (unlike satellite viruses) but are encapsidated in that of the helper virus. Particles containing satellite nucleic acid are therefore antigenically identical to those of the helper virus but can sometimes be distinguished by physical features such as sedimentation rates.
All known double stranded satellite RNAs are associated with mycoviruses and can greatly affect the virulence of the helper virus infection.