Gammatorquevirus Explained

Gammatorquevirus is a genus of viruses in the family Anelloviridae, in group II in the Baltimore classification. It contains 15 species. The fifteen species are all named "torque teno midi virus" (TTMDV), number 1–15.

Taxonomy

The genus contains the following species:^[1]

• Torque teno midi virus 1
• Torque teno midi virus 2
• Torque teno midi virus 3
• Torque teno midi virus 4
• Torque teno midi virus 5
• Torque teno midi virus 6
• Torque teno midi virus 7
• Torque teno midi virus 8
• Torque teno midi virus 9
• Torque teno midi virus 10
• Torque teno midi virus 11
• Torque teno midi virus 12
• Torque teno midi virus 13
• Torque teno midi virus 14
• Torque teno midi virus 15

Discovery

TTMDV, which stands for transfusion transmitted midi virus or torque teno midi virus was first isolated in 2005 from patients with an acute viral infection syndrome.^[2]

Because of the circular nature of its DNA genome, TTMDV (which was provisionally named small anellovirus 1) was classified as an anellovirus. Genomic analysis confirmed this classification.^[3]

Like other anelloviruses, TTMDV is quite common, even in healthy individuals. It has been found in various bodily fluids, including saliva and nasopharyngeal aspirates.

Genome and capsid

Like other members of its family, TTMDV's genome is a circular single-stranded piece of DNA of a negative polarity. The genome is approximately 3.2 kb in length, which is slightly smaller than that of TTV and slightly larger than that of TTMV.^[4] It is a non-enveloped virus with a capsid about 40 nm in diameter. The capsid possesses T=1 icosahedral symmetry.

Clinical

The pathogenic effects of TTMDV in humans is not known. However, it has been isolated from diarrhea cases.^[5]

External links

• ICTV Virus Taxonomy 2009 http://www.ictvonline.org
• UniProt Taxonomy https://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/675063
  • ICTVdb
• ViralZone: Gammatorquevirus

Notes and References

1. Web site: Virus Taxonomy: 2020 Release . International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) . March 2021 . 23 May 2021.
2. Jones. M.S.. Kapoor. A.. Lukashov. V.V.. etal. New DNA viruses identified in patients with acute viral infection syndrome. Journal of Virology. 2005. 79. 13. 8320–8326. 10.1128/JVI.79.13.8230-8236.2005. 15956568. 1143717.
3. Andreoli. E.. Maggi. F.. Pistello. M.. etal. Small anellovirus in hepatitis C patients and healthy controls. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2006. 12. 7. 1175–1176. 10.3201/eid1207.060234. 16848049. 3291067.
4. Book: Okamoto . H . TT Viruses . History of Discoveries and Pathogenicity of TT Viruses . 2009 . Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology . 331 . 1–20 . 10.1007/978-3-540-70972-5_1 . 19230554. 978-3-540-70971-8 .
5. Finkbeiner. Stacy R.. Allred. Adam F.. Tarr. Phillip I.. etal. Holmes. Edward C.. Metagenomic Analysis of Human Diarrhea: Viral Detection and Discovery. PLOS Pathogens. 2008. 4. 2. e1000011. 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000011. 18398449. 2290972 . free .