Abstract
Members of the family Iridoviridae (iridovirids) are large dsDNA viruses that infect both invertebrate and vertebrate ectotherms and whose symptoms range in severity from minor reductions in host fitness to systemic disease and large-scale mortality. Several characteristics have been useful for classifying iridoviruses; however, novel strains are continuously being discovered and, in many cases, reliable classification has been challenging. Further impeding classification, invertebrate iridoviruses (IIVs) can occasionally infect vertebrates; thus, host range is often not a useful criterion for classification. In this review, we discuss the current classification of iridovirids, focusing on genomic and structural features that distinguish vertebrate and invertebrate iridovirids and viral factors linked to host interactions in IIV6 (Invertebrate iridescent virus 6). In addition, we show for the first time how complete genome sequences of viral isolates can be leveraged to improve classification of new iridovirid isolates and resolve ambiguous relations. Improved classification of the iridoviruses may facilitate the identification of genus-specific virulence factors linked with diverse host phenotypes and host interactions.
Highlights
Iridovirids are nucleocytoplasmic large dsDNA viruses (NCLDVs) that can be divided into five genera: Ranavirus, Lymphocystivirus, Megalocytivirus, Iridovirus, and Chloriridovirus (Figures 1 and 2; Tables 1 and 2) under two sub-families defined recently as Alpha- and Betairidovirinae by ICTV (International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses) [1,2]
S2) and possibly using pan-genomic data analysis based on complete genome provides a superior method will advance the analysis of viral phylogenies, which lead to the development of new of differentiation and classification
Recent phylogenetic studies of SHIV based on different subsets (27 or 16 proteins) of concatenated iridovirid protein sequences conserved with SHIV orthologs suggested that SHIV should be considered a member of the proposed new genus “Xiairidovirus” [52,65] which is supported by our analysis presented in this review (Figures S1 and S2)
Summary
Iridovirids are nucleocytoplasmic large dsDNA viruses (NCLDVs) that can be divided into five genera: Ranavirus, Lymphocystivirus, Megalocytivirus, Iridovirus, and Chloriridovirus (Figures 1 and 2; Tables 1 and 2) under two sub-families defined recently as Alpha- and Betairidovirinae by ICTV (International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses) [1,2]. New iridovirids being quantify discovered; ,the limited number of IIVs have variability within and eachthus, genus Inhard addition, it is stillquantify not clearorwhat type the of information/criteria would been sequenced, it is to precisely estimate genetic heterogeneity and be sufficient to determine whether newly discovered new species or whether variability within each genus. A comprehensive list be sufficient to determine whetheror newly discovered iridovirids represent new species or whether of identified iridovirids with completed genome sequences shown in. Within the genus these new isolates are just variants or strains derived from anisexisting species.
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