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Plasmaviridae !

Plasmaviridae is a family of bacteriophages that infect species of the genus Acholeplasma, which belong to the class Mollicutes. The family contains one genus, Plasmavirus, with a single species, Acholeplasma virus L2.

Taxonomy and Host

  •  The viruses in the Plasmaviridae family are exclusively associated with Acholeplasma species, which are part of the Mollicutes class. These bacteria are known for their lack of a cell wall, making them unique among bacteria and interesting as hosts for viral infections.

Genome and Structure

  •  The genome of Acholeplasma virus L2 is a circular, supercoiled double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecule, approximately 12 kilobase pairs (kb) in length. The genome is nonsegmented and has a relatively high G-C content of about 32%. It contains 14 open reading frames (ORFs), encoding at least 15 proteins, with at least four structural proteins integrated into the viral membrane.

Biological Characteristics

  •  This virus family is poorly studied, and much of its diversity and biology remain unknown. However, it has been recognized that the Plasmaviridae family represents a distinct group of viruses that specifically target Mollicutes, with the Acholeplasma virus L2 being a key model for future research in this area.