Virusoid

This article is about the viroid which is dependant on viruses. For the object it is made of, see Viroid. For the object it depends on, see Virus.
Circular satellite RNAs
Virus classification Edit this classification
Informal group: Satellite nucleic acids
Informal group: Circular satellite RNAs

Virusoids are circular single-stranded RNA(s) dependent on viruses for replication and encapsidation.[1] The genome of virusoids consists of several hundred (200–400) nucleotides and does not code for any proteins.

Virusoids are essentially viroids that have been encapsulated by a helper virus coat protein. They are thus similar to viroids in their means of replication (rolling circle replication) and in their lack of genes, but they differ in that viroids do not possess a protein coat. Both virusoids and viroids encode a hammerhead ribozyme.

Virusoids, while being studied in virology, are subviral particles rather than viruses. Since they depend on helper viruses, they are classified as satellites. Virusoids are listed in virological taxonomy as Satellites/Satellite nucleic acids/Subgroup 3: Circular satellite RNA(s).[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "3 - Satellites and Other Virus-dependent Nucleic Acids - Subviral Agents - Subviral Agents (2011)". International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).