Potato virus X: A global potato‐infecting virus and type member of the Potexvirus genus

TAXONOMY: Potato virus X is the type‐member of the plant‐infecting Potexvirus genus in the family Alphaflexiviridae. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: Potato virus X (PVX) virions are flexuous filaments 460–480 nm in length. Virions are 13 nm in diameter and have a helical pitch of 3.4 nm. The genome is approximately 6.4 kb with a 5′ cap and 3′ poly(A) terminus. PVX contains five open reading frames, four of which are essential for cell‐to‐cell and systemic movement. One protein encodes the viral replicase. Cellular inclusions, known as X‐bodies, occur near the nucleus of virus‐infected cells. HOSTS: The primary host is potato, but it infects a wide range of dicots. Diagnostic hosts include Datura stramonium and Nicotiana tabacum. PVX is transmitted in nature by mechanical contact. USEFUL WEBSITE: https://talk.ictvonline.org/ictv‐reports/ictv_online_report/positive‐sense‐rna‐viruses/w/alphaflexiviridae/1330/genus‐potexvirus