Twortvirus
Twortvirus is a genus of viruses in the family Herelleviridae, in the subfamily Twortvirinae. Bacteria serve as natural hosts. There is only one species in this genus: Staphylococcus phage Twort.
Twortvirus is named after English bacteriologist Frederick Twort.
Structure
Viruses in this genus are nonenveloped, with a head and tail. The head is approximately 84 nm to 94 nm in diameter and T=16 symmetry. The tail is around 140 nm to 219 nm long, has 6 long terminal fibers, 6 short spikes, globular structures at the tip, and a double base plate. The tail is enclosed in a sheath, which loosens and slides around the tail core upon contraction.| Genus | Structure | Symmetry | Capsid | Genomic arrangement | Genomic segmentation |
| Twortvirus | Head-Tail | T=16 | Non-enveloped | Linear | Monopartite |
Life cycle
Viral replication is cytoplasmic. The virus attaches to the host cell using its tail fibers, and ejects the viral DNA into the host cytoplasm via contraction of its tail sheath. DNA-templated transcription is the method of transcription. Once the viral genes have been replicated, the procapsid is assembled and packed. The tail is then assembled and the mature virions are released via lysis. Bacteria serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are passive diffusion.| Genus | Host details | Tissue tropism | Entry details | Release details | Replication site | Assembly site | Transmission |
| Twortvirus | Bacteria | - | Injection | Lysis | Cytoplasm | Cytoplasm | Passive diffusion |