The first member of this family, Mimivirus, was discovered in 2003,[5] and the first complete genome sequence was published in 2004.[6] However, the mimivirusCafeteria roenbergensis virus[7] was isolated and partially characterized in 1995,[8] although the host was misidentified at the time, and the virus was designated BV-PW1.[7]
Viruses inMimiviridae have icosahedral and round geometries, with between T=972 and T=1141, or T=1200 symmetry. The diameter is around 400 nm, with a length of 125 nm. Genomes are linear and non-segmented, around 1200kb in length. The genome has 911 open reading frames.[1]
Replication follows the DNA strand displacement model. DNA-templated transcription is the method of transcription. Amoeba serve as the natural host.[1]
Three putative DNAbase excision repair enzymes were characterized from Mimivirus.[10] The base excision repair (BER) pathway was experimentally reconstituted using the purified recombinant proteinsuracil-DNA glycosylase (mvUDG),AP endonuclease (mvAPE), andDNA polymerase X protein (mvPolX).[10] When reconstituted in vitro mvUDG, mvAPE and mvPolX function cohesively to repair uracil-containing DNA predominantly by long patch base excision repair, and thus these processes likely participate in the BER pathway early in the Mimivirus life cycle.[10]
Mimiviruses have been associated with pneumonia but their significance is currently unknown.[11] The only virus of this family isolated from a human to date is LBA 111.[12] At the Pasteur Institute of Iran (Tehran), researchers identified mimivirus DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and sputum samples of a child patient, utilizing real-time PCR (2018). Analysis reported 99% homology of LBA111, lineage C of theMegavirus chilensis.[13] With only a few reported cases previous to this finding, the legitimacy of the mimivirus as an emerging infectious disease in humans remains controversial.[14][15]
^Yoosuf N, Pagnier I, Fournous G, Robert C, La Scola B, Raoult D, Colson P (April 2014). "Complete genome sequence of Courdo11 virus, a member of the family Mimiviridae".Virus Genes.48 (2):218–23.doi:10.1007/s11262-013-1016-x.PMID24293219.S2CID12038772.
