Golden Shiner Virus

ds RNA viruse Family: Reoviridae Genus: Aquareoviruses Species: Golden shiner virus

The golden shiner virus is an aquatic virus that infects a bait fish known as the golden shiner and to a leser extent, aquatic animals like crustaceans and molluscs. About 6 virus species have been identified in this genus since the late 1970s (Attoui et al. 2002). It causes death through a haemorragic shock. Symptoms include bleeding from the back eyes and the head. The viruse is 70 nm in diameter and replicates best at 20-30 degrees Celsius. The virus has properties similar to those of the pancreatic necrosis virus. This could mean that golden shiners are more susceptible in the summer (Schwedler, Plumb 1982).

Virus genome The genome is packed into the virus core and is encased in a double layered icosahedral capsid that is similar to the orthoreovirus capsid. This genome has 11 segments like the rotaviruses. Each genome has a 5' end motif of (GUUAUU) and (UUCAUC) motif at the 3' end. There are 11 openreading frames. Segments 1-3 encode viral proteins (VP)1-3, segments 4,7,8,9 and 11 code for non-structural proteins, segments 6 and 10 are for coding outer-capsid proteins. Lastly, segment 5 encodes an enzyme protein NTPase.