Species taxa are the units of taxonomy most suited to measure virus diversity, and they account for more than 70% of all virus taxa. Yet, as evidenced by the content of GenBank entries and... Show moreSpecies taxa are the units of taxonomy most suited to measure virus diversity, and they account for more than 70% of all virus taxa. Yet, as evidenced by the content of GenBank entries and illustrated by the recent literature on SARS-CoV-2, they are the most neglected taxa of virus research. To correct this disparity, we propose to make species taxa a first choice for communicating virus taxonomy in publications concerning viruses. We see it as a key step toward promoting research on diverse viruses, including pathogens, at this fundamental level of biology. Show less
Gorbalenya, A.E.; Krupovic, M.; Mushegian, A.; Kropinski, A.M.; Siddell, S.G.; Varsani, A.; ... ; Viruses Executive Comm 2020
Virus taxonomy emerged as a discipline in the middle of the twentieth century. Traditionally, classification by virus taxonomists has been focussed on the grouping of relatively closely related... Show moreVirus taxonomy emerged as a discipline in the middle of the twentieth century. Traditionally, classification by virus taxonomists has been focussed on the grouping of relatively closely related viruses. However, during the past few years, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) has recognized that the taxonomy it develops can be usefully extended to include the basal evolutionary relationships among distantly related viruses. Consequently, the ICTV has changed its Code to allow a 15-rank classification hierarchy that closely aligns with the Linnaean taxonomic system and may accommodate the entire spectrum of genetic divergence in the virosphere. The current taxonomies of three human pathogens, Ebola virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and herpes simplex virus 1 are used to illustrate the impact of the expanded rank structure. This new rank hierarchy of virus taxonomy will stimulate further research on virus origins and evolution, and vice versa, and could promote crosstalk with the taxonomies of cellular organisms.Here, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses describe a new, expanded virus classification scheme with 15 ranks that closely aligns with the Linnaean taxonomic system and better encompasses viral diversity. Show less
Changes to virus taxonomy (the Universal Scheme of Virus Classification of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses [ICTV]) now take place annually and are the result of a multi-stage... Show moreChanges to virus taxonomy (the Universal Scheme of Virus Classification of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses [ICTV]) now take place annually and are the result of a multi-stage process. In accordance with the ICTV Statutes http://www.ictvonline.org/statutes.asp), proposals submitted to the ICTV Executive Committee (EC) undergo a review process that involves input from the ICTV Study Groups (SGs) and Subcommittees (SCs), other interested virologists, and the EC. After final approval by the EC, proposals are then presented for ratification to the full ICTV membership by publication on an ICTV web site (http://www.ictvonline.org/) followed by an electronic vote. The latest set of proposals approved by the EC was made available on the ICTV website by January 2016 (https://talk.ictvonline.org/files/proposals/). A list of these proposals was then emailed on 28 March 2016 to the 148 members of ICTV, namely the EC Members, Life Members, ICTV Subcommittee Members (including the SG chairs) and ICTV National Representatives. Members were then requested to vote on whether to ratify the taxonomic proposals (voting closed on 29 April 2016). Show less
Several plus-strand RNA viruses encode proteins containing macrodomains. These domains possess ADP-ribose-1 ''-phosphatase (ADRP) activity and/or bind poly(ADP-ribose), poly(A) or poly(G). The... Show moreSeveral plus-strand RNA viruses encode proteins containing macrodomains. These domains possess ADP-ribose-1 ''-phosphatase (ADRP) activity and/or bind poly(ADP-ribose), poly(A) or poly(G). The relevance of these activities in the viral life cycle has not yet been resolved. Here, we report that genetically engineered mutants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) expressing ADRP-deficient macrodomains displayed an increased sensitivity to the antiviral effect of alpha interferon compared with their wild-type counterparts. The data suggest that macrodomain-associated ADRP activities may have a role in viral escape from the innate immune responses of the host. Show less
