Embecovirus

Embecovirus is a subgenus of coronaviruses in the genus Betacoronavirus.^[1] The viruses in this subgenus, unlike other coronaviruses, have a hemagglutinin esterase (HE) gene.^[2] The viruses in the subgenus were previously known as group 2a coronaviruses.^[3][4]

Embecovirus
Murine coronavirus (MHV) virion electron micrograph, schematic structure, and genome.
Virus classification
(unranked):	Virus
Realm:	Riboviria
Kingdom:	Orthornavirae
Phylum:	Pisuviricota
Class:	Pisoniviricetes
Order:	Nidovirales
Family:	Coronaviridae
Genus:	Betacoronavirus
Subgenus:	Embecovirus

Taxonomy

The subgenus contains the following species, listed by scientific name and followed by the exemplar virus of the species:^[5][6]

• Betacoronavirus gravedinis, Human coronavirus OC43
• Betacoronavirus hongkongense, Human coronavirus HKU1
• Betacoronavirus muris, Murine hepatitis virus
• Betacoronavirus myodae, Myodes rufocanus vole coronavirus 2/JL2014
• Betacoronavirus ratti, Betacoronavirus HKU24

Structure

The viruses of this subgenus, like other coronaviruses, have a lipid bilayer envelope in which the membrane (M), envelope (E) and spike (S) structural proteins are anchored.^[7] Unlike other coronaviruses, viruses in this subgenus also have an additional shorter spike-like structural protein called hemagglutinin esterase (HE).^[2][8]

Recombination

Genetic recombination can occur when two or more viral genomes are present in the same host cell. The dromedary camel beta-coronavirus (Beta-CoV HKU23) exhibits genetic diversity in the African camel population.^[9] Contributing to this diversity are several recombination events that had taken place in the past between closely related Beta-CoVs of the subgenus Embecovirus.^[9]

See also

• Sarbecovirus (group 2b)
• Merbecovirus (group 2c)
• Nobecovirus (group 2d)