ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Clavaviridae

Abstract

The family Clavaviridae includes viruses that replicate in hyperthermophilic archaea from the genus Aeropyrum. The non-enveloped rigid virions are rod-shaped, with dimensions of about 143×16 nm, and have terminal cap structures, one of which is pointed and carries short fibres, while the other is rounded. The virion displays helical symmetry and is constructed from a single major α-helical protein, which is heavily glycosylated, and several minor capsid proteins. The 5278 bp, circular, double-stranded DNA genome of Aeropyrum pernix bacilliform virus 1 is packed inside the virion as a left-handed superhelix. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on the family Clavaviridae, which is available at www.ictv.global/report/clavaviridae.