ABSTRACT The purpose of this review is to convey our current understanding of Leishmaniaviruses (LRV) as it has emerged over the past 10 years through studies performed in this laboratory and others. The viral model and its implications are compared and contrasted to others described for related virus systems both to distinguish features that unify the Totiviridae and to divulge those characteristics apparently unique to LRV. The topics presented here depict our understanding of Leishmaniavirus genes, gene products and the operative mechanism(s) thought to regulate their expression. These mechanisms are illuminated through phylogenetic analysis, heterologous gene expression, and qualitative or quantitative studies of viral RNA and protein.
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