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Drosophila C virus belongs to the genus Cripavirus and was previously thought to be a member of the virus family Picornaviridae; it has since been classified as belonging to the Dicistroviridae.[1] It is a single stranded positive sense RNA virus of approximately 9300 nucleotides and it contains two open reading frames.[1] The virus particles are 30 nm in diameter and are made up of approximately 30% of RNA and 70% protein.[2] The virus capsid is composed of three major polypeptides and two minor polypeptides.[2] Drosophila C virus infects Drosophila melanogaster and was first discovered in the early 1970s in a French strain of drosophila.[1] The virus is transmitted by feeding so is almost non-pathogenic. However experimental evidence has shown that when injected into adult flies the virus is incredibly pathogenic as it causes the adult flies to die within 3-4 days following injection.[1] Drosophila that are infected with Drosophila C virus develop more quickly, the females are heavier and produce more eggs therefore more offspring in comparison to drosophila not infected with the virus.[1] Infection with drosophila C virus can also increase mortality rate within a drosophila population.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Genomes
- ^ a b Characterization of the Drosophila C Virus - Jousset et al. 34 (2): 269 - Journal of General Virology
- ^ IngentaConnect Virulence Variability of the Drosophila C Virus and Effects of th
