Alphaflexiviridae in Focus: Genomic Signatures, Conserved Elements and Viral-Driven Cellular Remodeling
The family <i>Alphaflexiviridae</i> comprises plant- and fungus-infecting viruses with single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genomes ranging from 5.4 to 9 kb. Their virions are flexuous and filamentous, measuring 470–800 nm in length and 12–13 nm in diameter. The family includes 72 recogni...
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| author | Jesús R. Úbeda Miguel A. Aranda Livia Donaire |
| author_facet | Jesús R. Úbeda Miguel A. Aranda Livia Donaire |
| author_sort | Jesús R. Úbeda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The family <i>Alphaflexiviridae</i> comprises plant- and fungus-infecting viruses with single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genomes ranging from 5.4 to 9 kb. Their virions are flexuous and filamentous, measuring 470–800 nm in length and 12–13 nm in diameter. The family includes 72 recognized species, classified into six genera: <i>Allexivirus</i>, <i>Lolavirus</i>, <i>Platypuvirus</i>, <i>Potexvirus</i> (plant-infecting), and <i>Botrexvirus</i> and <i>Sclerodarnavirus</i> (fungus-infecting). The genus <i>Potexvirus</i> is the largest, with 52 species, including <i>Potexvirus ecspotati</i> (potato virus X), an important crop pathogen and plant virology model. The genera are distinguished by genome organization and host range, while species differentiation relies on nucleotide and protein sequence identity thresholds. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the genomic structure, conserved genes, and phylogenetic relationships within <i>Alphaflexiviridae</i>, with a particular focus on the replicase and coat protein genes as signature markers. Additionally, we update the model of cellular remodeling driven by the triple gene block proteins, which are essential for virus movement, among other viral functions. Beyond their biological significance, alphaflexiviruses serve as valuable models for studying virus–host dynamics and hold potential applications in plant disease control and biotechnology. This review provides an updated framework for understanding <i>Alphaflexiviridae</i> and their broader impact on plant virology. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-db621f65b51743b29a123d5ddd33bade |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj-art-db621f65b51743b29a123d5ddd33bade2025-08-20T03:48:02ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-04-0117561110.3390/v17050611Alphaflexiviridae in Focus: Genomic Signatures, Conserved Elements and Viral-Driven Cellular RemodelingJesús R. Úbeda0Miguel A. Aranda1Livia Donaire2Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS)-CSIC, Department of Stress Biology and Plant Pathology, P.O. Box 164, Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, SpainCentro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS)-CSIC, Department of Stress Biology and Plant Pathology, P.O. Box 164, Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, SpainCentro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS)-CSIC, Department of Stress Biology and Plant Pathology, P.O. Box 164, Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, SpainThe family <i>Alphaflexiviridae</i> comprises plant- and fungus-infecting viruses with single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genomes ranging from 5.4 to 9 kb. Their virions are flexuous and filamentous, measuring 470–800 nm in length and 12–13 nm in diameter. The family includes 72 recognized species, classified into six genera: <i>Allexivirus</i>, <i>Lolavirus</i>, <i>Platypuvirus</i>, <i>Potexvirus</i> (plant-infecting), and <i>Botrexvirus</i> and <i>Sclerodarnavirus</i> (fungus-infecting). The genus <i>Potexvirus</i> is the largest, with 52 species, including <i>Potexvirus ecspotati</i> (potato virus X), an important crop pathogen and plant virology model. The genera are distinguished by genome organization and host range, while species differentiation relies on nucleotide and protein sequence identity thresholds. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the genomic structure, conserved genes, and phylogenetic relationships within <i>Alphaflexiviridae</i>, with a particular focus on the replicase and coat protein genes as signature markers. Additionally, we update the model of cellular remodeling driven by the triple gene block proteins, which are essential for virus movement, among other viral functions. Beyond their biological significance, alphaflexiviruses serve as valuable models for studying virus–host dynamics and hold potential applications in plant disease control and biotechnology. This review provides an updated framework for understanding <i>Alphaflexiviridae</i> and their broader impact on plant virology.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/5/611<i>Allexivirus</i><i>Lolavirus</i><i>Platypuvirus</i><i>Potexvirus</i><i>Botrexvirus</i><i>Sclerodarnavirus</i> |
| spellingShingle | Jesús R. Úbeda Miguel A. Aranda Livia Donaire Alphaflexiviridae in Focus: Genomic Signatures, Conserved Elements and Viral-Driven Cellular Remodeling Viruses <i>Allexivirus</i> <i>Lolavirus</i> <i>Platypuvirus</i> <i>Potexvirus</i> <i>Botrexvirus</i> <i>Sclerodarnavirus</i> |
| title | Alphaflexiviridae in Focus: Genomic Signatures, Conserved Elements and Viral-Driven Cellular Remodeling |
| title_full | Alphaflexiviridae in Focus: Genomic Signatures, Conserved Elements and Viral-Driven Cellular Remodeling |
| title_fullStr | Alphaflexiviridae in Focus: Genomic Signatures, Conserved Elements and Viral-Driven Cellular Remodeling |
| title_full_unstemmed | Alphaflexiviridae in Focus: Genomic Signatures, Conserved Elements and Viral-Driven Cellular Remodeling |
| title_short | Alphaflexiviridae in Focus: Genomic Signatures, Conserved Elements and Viral-Driven Cellular Remodeling |
| title_sort | alphaflexiviridae in focus genomic signatures conserved elements and viral driven cellular remodeling |
| topic | <i>Allexivirus</i> <i>Lolavirus</i> <i>Platypuvirus</i> <i>Potexvirus</i> <i>Botrexvirus</i> <i>Sclerodarnavirus</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/5/611 |
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