Autographiviridae

Since the 1990s, the term "T7 supergroup" has been coined for the expanding group of bacteriophages related to coliphage T7, as members of the family Podoviridae. Enterobacteriaceae phages SP6 and K1-5 were the first to be considered as an estranged subgroup of the "T7 supergroup".[3] Pseudomonas phage phiKMV also shared commonalities at the genome organizational level. As such, based on the available morphological and proteomic data, this clade of viruses was established as a subfamily of the family Podoviridae. The subfamily was later raised to the level of family in 2019.

The name of this family, termed Autographiviridae, refers to the “auto-graphein” or “self-transcribing” phages which encode their own (single subunit) RNA polymerase, a common characteristic among its members.

Viruses in Autographiviridae are non-enveloped, with icosahedral and Head-tail geometries, and T=7 symmetry. The diameter is around 60 nm. Genomes are linear, around 40-42kb in length.[1]

Viral replication is cytoplasmic. DNA templated transcription is the method of transcription. The virus exits the host cell by lysis, and holin/endolysin/spanin proteins. Bacteria serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are passive diffusion.[1]

The following subfamilies are recognized:[2]

• Beijerinckvirinae
• Colwellvirinae
• Corkvirinae
• Krylovirinae
• Melnykvirinae
• Molineuxvirinae
• Okabevirinae
• Slopekvirinae
• Studiervirinae

The following genera are unassigned to a subfamily:[2]

Wikispecies has information related to Autographiviridae.

• Viralzone: Autographivirinae
• ICTV