Tequintavirus (synonyms T5-like phages, T5-like viruses, T5likevirus) is a genus of viruses in the order Caudovirales, in the family Demerecviridae. Bacteria serve as the natural host, with transmission achieved through passive diffusion. There are currently 22 species in this genus, including the type species Escherichia virus T5.[1]
The following species are recognized:
Tequintaviruses are nonenveloped, with a head and tail. The head is icosahedral (T=13) and is about 90 nm in diameter. The tail is about 180 nm long, 9 nm wide. It has three long, kinked terminal fibers around 120 nm in length, and a single straight central fiber attached to a conical tip.
| Genus | Structure | Symmetry ! | Capsid | Genomic arrangement | Genomic segmentation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tequintavirus | Head-Tail | T=13 | Non-enveloped | Linear | Monopartite |
Genomes are linear, around 121kb in length.[1] The type species, Enterobacteria phage T5, and several other species have been fully sequenced. The genomes range between roughly 108-121 thousand nucleotides, with about 140 to 170 predicted open reading frames. The complete genomes, as well as two other similar, unclassified genomes are available here.[2] [3]
The virus attaches to the host cell's adhesion receptors using its terminal fibers, and degrades the cell wall using viral exolysin enough to eject the viral DNA into the host cytoplasm via long flexible tail ejection system. Replication follows the DNA strand displacement, via replicative transposition model. 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.
According to ICTV's 1996 report, the genus T5likevirus was first accepted under the name T5-like phages, assigned only to family Siphoviridae. The whole family was moved to order Caudovirales in 1998, and the genus was renamed to T5-like viruses in ICTV's 7th Report in 1999. In 2012, it was renamed again to T5likevirus.[4] The genus was later renamed to Tequintavirus and placed in the newly established family Demerecviridae.