Potexviruses are a group of plant viruses that belong to the family Potexviridae. They are characterized by their filamentous, non-enveloped virions and single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genomes. The name "Potexvirus" is derived from the Latin word "pota" meaning to drink or to soak, referring to the flexibility and fluidity of their long, slender particles.
Potexviruses infect a wide range of plant species, including both monocots and dicots. They are predominantly transmitted between plants through mechanical means, such as contact with infected plant sap, contaminated tools, or insect vectors. The symptoms of Potexvirus infections can vary depending on the host plant, but they often include chlorotic or necrotic streaking or mottling on leaves, stunting, and reduced yield.
The genome organization of Potexviruses typically consists of five open reading frames (ORFs) encoding various viral proteins. These proteins are involved in processes such as replication, movement within the plant, and suppression of host defense mechanisms. Potexviruses have an efficient translation strategy, employing frameshifting or readthrough mechanisms to produce multiple proteins from a single mRNA transcript.
Due to their availability and ability to infect a broad range of plant species, Potexviruses are widely used as model organisms in plant virology research. They have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of viral replication, gene expression, and the interactions between viruses and their hosts. Additionally, some Potexviruses have been engineered as viral vectors for the expression of foreign genes in plants, making them valuable tools in biotechnology and genetic engineering.
