Siphoviridae

Typical structure of a siphovirus

Viruses in Siphoviridae are non-enveloped, with icosahedral and head-tail geometries[2] (morphotype B1) or a prolate capsid (morphotype B2), and T=7 symmetry. The diameter is around 60 nm.[2] Members of this family are also characterized by their filamentous, cross-banded, noncontractile tails, usually with short terminal and subterminal fibers. Genomes are double stranded and linear, around 50 kb in length,[2] containing about 70 genes. The guanine/cytosine content is usually around 52%.

Viral replication is cytoplasmic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by adsorption into the host cell. Replication follows the replicative transposition model. DNA-templated transcription is the method of transcription. Translation takes place by -1 ribosomal frameshifting, and +1 ribosomal frameshifting. The virus exits the host cell by lysis, and holin/endolysin/spanin proteins.[2] Bacteria and archaea serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are passive diffusion.[2]

Electron micrographs of siphovirus from Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes). Phages were negatively stained and subjected to transmission electron microscopy. The phages have a head of approximately 55 nm in diameter, loaded with genetic material. Their tails have a size of 150 × 10 nm and are flexible and non-contractile. In the lower micrograph, PAD25 is adhering to bacterial cell debris, and two phages have lost their heads. All phages were classified as Siphoviruses based on their morphology.[4]

The following subfamilies are recognized:[3]

The following genera are unassigned to a subfamily:[3]

Please note that genus Inceonvirus is likely misspelled Incheonvrus.

Wikispecies has information related to Siphoviridae.

• Viralzone: Siphoviridae
• ICTV
• Complete Genomes of Siphoviridae