Notes on Genus: Aureusvirus

icosahedra

Type member: Pothos latent virus

Contents

• Members of this Genus
• General Description
• Morphology
• Electron Micrograph
• Genome
• Genus Genomic Organization
• Genome Map
• Type Member Genomic Organization
• All Known Sequences
• Curated Sequences

General Description

The genus Aureusvirus (from the scientific name of the host of the type member, Scindapsus aureus) is one of 11 genera in the family Tombusviridae. All the genera are morphologically similar, with icosahedral particles and small, (usually) monopartite ss RNA genomes. The genome (<4.6 kb) is smaller than those of members of the genus Tombusvirus but its organization is virtually identical. Virions accumulate in great quantity in the cytoplasm, often forming crystalline aggregates, and in bubble-like evaginations of the tonoplast protruding into the vacuole.

Morphology

Virions isometric (icosahedral), not enveloped, 30 nm in diameter.

Genome

Monopartite, linear, single stranded, positive sense RNA approx. 4.4 kb in size. The 3' terminus has no poly(A) tract.

Genus Genomic Organization

The RNA is translated into five putative products, including a polymerase, a 40-41 kDa coat protein translated from the larger of two subgenomic RNAs and two other products translated from the smaller subgenomic. The structural organization (i.e. number and order of genes) is virtually identical to that of members of the genus Tombusvirus but the aureusvirus genome is smaller size and there are distinct differences in the amino acid sequence of some of the ORFs.

Type Member Genomic Organization

The RNA is translated into five products:

1.	25 kDa	putative polymerase
2.	84 kDa	polymerase, produced by readthrough of 1
3.	40 kDa	coat protein, translated from subgenomic RNA1
4.	27 kDa	movement protein, translated from subgenomic RNA2
5.	14 kDa	responsible for symptom severity, translated from subgenomic RNA2