Tobacco virtovirus 1

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Tobacco virtovirus 1 is a very small satellite virus that infects plants and needs the Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) to reproduce. It was first found in Nicotiana glauca (tree tobacco) from southern California and is linked to warm regions, including parts of Bolivia and Argentina. The virus has a linear, positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome about 1,063 nucleotides long and codes for the coat protein plus one other protein of unknown function. Its particle is made of 60 identical coat protein subunits, forming an icosahedral shell around the RNA. As a satellite virus, it can only multiply with help from TMV, and it often worsens the symptoms of TMV infections. Taxonomically, Tobacco virtovirus 1 sits in the realm Riboviria, order Tombendovirales, family Tomosaviridae, genus Virtovirus. It is mainly found with Nicotiana glauca and has not been reported in major crop plants like tomatoes or peppers.