Viruses in the family Totiviridae are non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA viruses with icosahedral geometries, and T=2 symmetry. The virion consists of a single capsid protein and is about 40 nanometers in diameter.[1]
Genome
The genome is composed of a monopartite, linear double-stranded RNA molecule of 4.6–6.7 kilobases. It contains two overlapping open reading frames (ORF) – gag and pol – which respectively encode the capsid protein and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Some totiviruses contain a third small potential ORF.[1]
Life cycle
Viral replication is cytoplasmic. Replication follows the double-stranded RNA virus replication model. Double-stranded RNA virus transcription is the method of transcription. Translation takes place by -1 ribosomal frameshifting, +1 ribosomal frameshifting, viral initiation, and RNA termination-reinitiation. The virus exits the host cell by cell-to-cell movement. Giardia lamblia protozoa, leishmania protozoa, protozoan trichomonas vaginalis, and fungi serve as the natural host.[1]