Closteroviridae is an elongated virus family that infects plants. Its complex and challenging spelling is due to its origin from the Greek word "kloster," which translates to spindle, along with its affiliation with the end-suffix "viridae," indicating the familial classification of viruses. The IPA phonetic transcription for "Closteroviridae" is [klɒstɛroʊvɪˈraɪdi], reflecting the correct pronunciation of the word. Despite its complicated spelling, the term is commonly used by biologists and plant pathologists to describe the virus family.
Closteroviridae is a family of plant viruses that belongs to the order Tymovirales. It is a diverse family that encompasses a wide range of viruses. These viruses are characterized by their long, flexuous filamentous particles, measuring about 1000-2000 nm in length. Their genomes are composed of single-stranded, positive-sense RNA that is non-segmented.
Members of the Closteroviridae family infect a variety of plant hosts, including fruit trees, vegetables, and ornamental plants. They are recognized as significant plant pathogens, causing diseases such as yellowing, leaf curling, mosaic patterns, and stunted growth. The transmission of these viruses primarily occurs via insect vectors, especially aphids and whiteflies, which feed on infected plants and transmit the virus to healthy ones.
The key diagnostic trait of Closteroviridae viruses is the presence of large open reading frames (ORFs) in their genomes. These ORFs encode for a wide range of proteins involved in viral replication, movement, and encapsulation. The family Closteroviridae is further divided into multiple genera based on their genomic organization, host range, and vector specificity.
Effective management strategies for controlling Closteroviridae infections include the use of insecticides to target the insect vectors, as well as the implementation of rigorous testing and quarantine measures to prevent the introduction and spread of infected plant material. Breeding resistant plant varieties and the use of genetic engineering techniques are also being explored as potential approaches to combat Closteroviridae infections.
The word "Closteroviridae" is derived from the combination of two components - "Clostero" and "viridae".
1. "Clostero": This component is derived from the genus "Closterovirus", which is a group of plant viruses known for their long, flexible, thread-like particles. The name "Closterovirus" was first coined by Grigori Ėmmanuilovich Levani︠a︡gin, a Soviet plant virologist, in 1939. It is believed that "Clostero" in "Closteroviridae" refers to the genus itself.
2. "Viridae": This component is commonly used in virology to indicate the family classification of viruses. It is derived from the Latin word "viridae", which means "greenish" or "green-colored".