Ribozyviria


Ribozyviria is a realm of satellite nucleic acids — infectious agents that resemble viruses, but cannot replicate without a helper virus. Established in ICTV TaxoProp 2020.012D, the realm is named after the presence of genomic and antigenomic ribozymes of the Deltavirus type. The agents in Ribozyviria are satellite nucleic acids, which are distinct from satellite viruses in that they do not encode all of their own structural proteins but require proteins from their helper viruses in order to assemble. Additional common features include a rod-like structure, an RNA-binding "delta antigen" encoded in the genome, and animal hosts. Furthermore, the size range of the genomes of these viruses is between around 1547–1735nt, they encode a hammerhead ribozyme or a hepatitis [delta virus ribozyme], and their coding capacity only involves one conserved protein. Most lineages of this realm are poorly understood, the notable exception being the genus Deltavirus, comprising the causal agents of hepatitis D in humans.
The realm Ribozyviria has an unclear evolutionary origin. It has been proposed that they may have derived from retrozymes or a viroid-like element with capsid protein capture.

Taxonomy

Historical development

The first taxa of this realm to receive acceptance by the ICTV is the species Hepatitis delta virus and its genus Deltavirus, in 1993. Deltavirus remained unassigned to any higher taxa until 2019, when the ICTV mistakenly classified Deltavirus within the then newly established realm, Riboviria. In 2020, this error was rectified and Deltavirus returned to its original position. In 2021, Ribozyviria was created and Deltavirus was placed within it. In addition, Hepatitis delta virus was abolished and replaced with eight new species.

Current status

Ribozyviria contains a single family, Kolmioviridae, with no intermediate taxa between realm and family. This family contains eight genera.
The names of all genera in this realm allude to the letter D in various languages. The family name comes from Finnish kolmio "triangle," another reference to the Greek letter "Δ".
This taxonomy is shown hereafter:
  • Realm: Ribozyviria
  • * Family: Kolmioviridae
  • ** Genus: Daazvirus
  • *** Species: Daazvirus cynopis
  • ** Genus: Dagazvirus
  • *** Species: Dagazvirus schedorhinotermitis
  • ** Genus: Daletvirus
  • *** Species: Daletvirus boae
  • ** Genus: Dalvirus
  • *** Species: Dalvirus anatis
  • ** Genus: Deevirus
  • *** Species: Deevirus actinopterygii
  • ** Genus: Deltavirus
  • *** Species: Deltavirus cameroonense
  • *** Species: Deltavirus carense
  • *** Species: Deltavirus italiense
  • *** Species: Deltavirus japanense
  • *** Species: Deltavirus peruense
  • *** Species: Deltavirus senegalense
  • *** Species: Deltavirus taiwanense
  • *** Species: Deltavirus togense
  • ** Genus: Dobrovirus
  • *** Species: Dobrovirus bufonis
  • ** Genus: Donvirus
  • *** Species: Donvirus odontotermitis
  • ** Genus: Perideltavirus
  • *** Species: Perideltavirus desmodi
  • *** Species: Perideltavirus marmotae
  • *** Species: Perideltavirus odocoilei
  • ** Genus: Perithurisazvirus
  • *** Species: Perithurisazvirus passeriformes
  • ** Genus: Thurisazvirus
  • *** Species: Thurisazvirus desmodi
  • *** Species: Thurisazvirus myis