A Comprehensive Review of Calimoviridae Family Viruses in Crop Plants: Impacts on Environment, Agriculture, and Human Health
Subject Areas : Biotechnological Journal of Environmental Microbiology
1 - Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
Keywords: Calimoviridae , Plant viruses , Double-stranded circular DNA genome , Cauliflower mosaic , Mechanical transmission,
Abstract :
The Caulimoviridae family consists of plant viruses characterized by circular double-stranded DNA genomes ranging in size from 7.1 to 9.8 kilobases, lacking a viral envelope. These viruses mainly infect monocot and dicot plants, though each species typically has a restricted host range. Some members of this group are responsible for economically impactful diseases in tropical and subtropical crops, with Cauliflower mosaic disease being among the most prominent examples. The viral genome is packaged by coat proteins into either isometric or cylindrical virions. Natural transmission predominantly occurs via aphids, while laboratory conditions enable artificial transmission through mechanical methods. These viruses are classified as pararetroviruses due to their reliance on reverse transcription during replication. Additionally, endogenous viral elements derived from this family are integrated into plant genomes and may become activated under stress, leading to infections. Common symptoms of infection include irregular chlorotic spotting and mosaic patterns on leaves. Infected cells exhibit non-membranous spherical or oval-shaped viral inclusions within their cytoplasm. Control strategies typically involve insecticide application, removal of infected plants, and measures aimed at curbing vector activity. Nevertheless, achieving complete control remains difficult owing to rapid transmission facilitated by insects.
Hančinský, R., Mihálik, D., Mrkvová, M., Candresse, T., & Glasa, M. (2020). Plant viruses infecting Solanaceae family members in the cultivated and wild environments: A review. Plants, 9(5), 667.
Olaimat, A. N., Taybeh, A. O., Al-Nabulsi, A., Al-Holy, M., Hatmal, M. M. M., Alzyoud, J., ... & Holley, R. (2024). Common and potential emerging foodborne viruses: a comprehensive review. Life, 14(2), 190.
Ezzatpanah, H., Gómez‐López, V. M., Koutchma, T., Lavafpour, F., Moerman, F., Mohammadi, M., & Raheem, D. (2022). Risks and new challenges in the food chain: Viral contamination and decontamination from a global perspective, guidelines, and cleaning. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 21(2), 868-903.
Shaheen, M. N. (2022). The concept of one health applied to the problem of zoonotic diseases. Reviews in medical virology, 32(4), e2326.
Garcia, S. N., Osburn, B. I., & Jay-Russell, M. T. (2020). One health for food safety, food security, and sustainable food production. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4, 1.
Raoof, H. S., Ali, K. N., Muhamad, S. F., Marif, H. F., Ali, B. A., Sulaiman, R. R., & Nasrullah, O. J. (2025). Feline Calicivirus: A Comprehensive Review. Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research, 24(2), 141-165.
Jilani, M. G., Hoque, M., & Ali, S. (2023). Microsatellite diversity and complexity in the viral genomes of the family Caliciviridae. Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 21(1), 140.