Albetovirus


Albetovirus is a plant satellite virus genus. As a member of realm Riboviria without assigned family or order it contains just three species, Tobacco albetovirus 1, 2, and 3. The three virus species included in this genus represent satellite viruses that depend for their replication on helper viruses of the genera Alphanecrovirus or Betanecrovirus
These satellite viruses may not be confused with Satellite tobacco mosaic virus, which is also known as Satellite tobacco necrosis virus, member of genus Virtovirus.

Etymology

The genus name, Albetovirus, is a combination of Al, for Alphanecrovirus, ''be, for Betanecrovirus, and to for tobacco.''.

Virology

Viruses of genus Albetovirus have a genome consisting of linear single-stranded RNA of positive polarity, similar in size, which has a single gene. This codes for a single protein which is the capsid protein. The virions are non-enveloped, paraspherical in shape with icosahedral symmetry and 17 nm in diameter.