Receptorvirus

Receptorvirus is a genus of viruses in the family Picornaviridae, order Picornavirales. It is a significant pathogen in the plant kingdom, causing diseases in a wide range of crops and ornamental plants. The genus is named after the receptor proteins on the host cell surface that these viruses bind to during infection.

Receptorviruses are non-enveloped, icosahedral viruses with a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome. They have a genome size of approximately 7.5 kb and encode a single polyprotein that is processed into several structural and non-structural proteins. The viral genome contains a single open reading frame, which is translated into a large polyprotein that is subsequently cleaved by viral and host proteases into functional proteins.

The receptor proteins targeted by receptorviruses are often involved in signal transduction pathways, highlighting the importance of these pathways in viral infection. The viruses use these receptors to gain entry into the host cell, initiating the infection cycle.

Receptorviruses are known to infect a diverse array of plant species, including important crops such as tobacco, tomato, and potato. They cause a variety of diseases, ranging from mild symptoms to severe yield losses. The most well-known receptorvirus is the Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), which is a significant model organism in virology due to its simplicity and the ease with which it can be grown and studied.

The control of receptorvirus infections typically involves the use of resistant plant varieties, chemical control measures, and biological control agents such as other viruses or bacteria that can parasitize the receptorviruses. Research into the molecular mechanisms of receptorvirus infection and the development of new control strategies are active areas of plant virology.