Satellite

(noun)

A subviral agent composed of nucleic acid that depends on the co-infection of a host cell with a helper or master virus for its multiplication.

Related Terms

Examples of Satellite in the following topics:

  • Defective Viruses

    • Replication defective viruses (also known as satellites) are those that need the presence of other viruses to help them reproduce.
    • Satellites depend on co-infection of a host cell with a helper virus for productive multiplication.
    • When a satellite subviral agent encodes the coat protein in which it is encapsulated, it is then called a satellite virus.
    • Satellite viral particles should not be confused with satellite DNA.
    • These viruses that are dependent on the presence of other virus species in the host cell are called satellites.

  • Viroids

    • Since they depend on helper viruses, they are classified as satellites.