Viral DNA genomes
- All DNA viruses consist of molecules which are double-stranded with the exception of parvoviruses and circoviruses
- It may be linear or circular
- DNA molecules of papova-, hepadna-, and circo- is circular, while that of herpes-, pox-, and adeno- are linear
- Linear viral DNA can adopt circular configuration by a rolling circle mechanism during replication
- The size of the DNA ranges from 1.7 kilobases (kb) for circoviruses to over 200 kilobase pairs (kbp) for herpesviruses and poxviruses
