Okubovirus Explained

Okubovirus is a genus of viruses in the order Caudovirales, in the family Herelleviridae, in the subfamily Spounavirinae.^[1] Bacteria serve as natural hosts. There are two species in this genus.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Taxonomy

The following two species are assigned to the genus:^[4]

• Bacillus virus Camphawk
• Bacillus virus SPO1

Structure

Viruses in Okubovirus are non-enveloped, with head-tail geometries, and T=16 symmetry. The diameter is around 108 nm, with a length of 140 nm. Genomes are linear, around 145kb in length. The genome codes for 200 proteins.^{[1] [2]}

Genus	Structure	Symmetry !	Capsid	Genomic arrangement	Genomic segmentation
Okubovirus	Head-Tail	T=16	Non-enveloped	Linear	Monopartite

Life cycle

Viral replication is cytoplasmic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by adsorption into the host cell. DNA-templated transcription is the method of transcription. Bacteria serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are passive diffusion.^{[1] [2]}

Taxonomic history

• Bacillus phage SP8 was assigned to the family Myoviridae in 1995.
• Bacillus phage SPO1 was assigned to the genus SPO1-like phages in 1996 as type species.
• Myoviridae were assigned to the order Caudovirales in 1998
• SPO1-like phages were renamed SPO1-like viruses in 1999
• Bacillus phage SP8 was merged into Bacillus phage SPO1 in 1999 (as type species) of SPO1-like viruses.
• SPO1-like viruses were assigned to the sub-family Spounavirinae (of Caudovirales) in 2011.
• SPO1-like viruses were renamed Spounalikevirus in 2012.
• Spounalikevirus was renamed to Spo1virus in 2015.
• Spo1virus was renamed to Okubovirus in 2018.

External links

• Viralzone: Spounalikevirus
• ICTV Report: Herelleviridae

Notes and References

1. Web site: ICTV Report Herelleviridae .
2. Web site: Viral Zone. ExPASy. 1 July 2015.
3. Book: Encyclopedia of Virology. 1681.
4. Web site: Virus Taxonomy: 2020 Release . International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) . March 2021 . 11 May 2021.