Parvoviridae: General Features☆

The Parvoviridae comprise a family of small, isometric, non-enveloped viruses that contain a compact linear single-stranded DNA genome of around 5 kilobases. They all encode an endonuclease/helicase that cooperates with host cell DNA synthetic and damage machinery to replicate viral genomes by a linear rolling-hairpin mechanism. Progeny genomes are packaged vectorially into rugged, preassembled protein capsids by the viral helicase, and mature virions are delivered intact into infected cell nuclei where they ultimately eject their DNA. The viruses are divided into two subfamilies: Parvovirinae, which infect vertebrate hosts, and Densovirinae, which infect invertebrates.