Potyviridae is a family of positive-strand RNA viruses that encompasses more than 30% of known plant viruses, many of which are of great agricultural significance. The family contains 13 genera that contain 259 species.
Structure
thumb|Genomic map of a typical member of the genus Potyvirus.
Potyvirid virions are nonenveloped, flexuous filamentous, rod-shaped particles. The diameter is around 11–20 nm, with a length of 650–950 nm. For instance some genera lack P1, some virus of the genus Ipomovirus lack HC and have a P1 tandem. Pretty interesting sweet potato potyviral ORF (PISPO), alkylation B (AlkB), and inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (known as ITPase or HAM1) are protein domains identified in atypical members.
Life cycle
thumb|Replication and movement of [[soybean mosaic virus (SMV)]]
Viral replication is cytoplasmic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by penetration. Replication follows the positive-stranded RNA virus replication model. Positive-stranded RNA virus transcription is the method of transcription. Translation takes place by −1 ribosomal frameshifting. The virus exits the host cell by tubule-guided viral movement. These viruses are 720–850 nm in length and are transmitted by aphids. They can also be easily transmitted by mechanical means. These viruses shared a common ancestry 6,600 years ago and are transmitted by over 200 species of aphids.
The species in the genus Macluravirus are 650–675 nm in length and are also transmitted by aphids. The plant viruses in the genus Ipomovirus are transmitted by whiteflies and they are 750–950 nm long. Tritimovirus and the Rymovirus viruses are 680–750 nm long and are transmitted by eriophydid mites. (The rymoviruses are closely related to the potyviruses and may eventually be merged with the potyviruses.) The Bymovirus genome consists of two particles instead of one (275 and 550 nm) and these viruses are transmitted by the chytrid fungus, Polymyxa graminis.
Taxonomy
thumb|Phylogenetic tree of family Potyviridae
The family contains the following genera: