Pandoravirus (taxid:2060084)

VIRION

Ovoid virion 500nm wide and 1000nm long with an apical pore. The internal membrane is surrounded by a three layer wall. Source:

GENOME

Linear, dsDNA genome of about 2,473kb that encodes potentially for 2556 ORFs.

GENE EXPRESSION

Undocumented

ENZYMES

• DNA-directed DNA polymerase
• DNA-directed RNA polymerase
• Cysteine protease (Peptidase C48)

REPLICATION

NUCLEO-CYTOPLASMIC Replication cycle lasts 10-15 hours.

1. Virion binds to host cell and enters into host cell by phagocytosis
2. Fusion of viral envelope with cellular membrane at virion apical pore, inducing the release of viral DNA into host cytoplasm.
3. Host cell nucleus shrinks, indicating possible degradation of host chromosomes.
4. Synthesis of early proteins.
5. Replication of genomic DNA.
6. Late proteins synthesis, assembly of new virions in the cytoplasmic factories
7. Cell lysis and virion release in the extracellular space.