Structure Classification Methods of study Viral infections Viral tumors Human tumors
Structure
Analogous to bacteriophages Capsid (protein coat) made up of capsomeres Naked vs. enveloped viruses Attachment proteins or spikes in enveloped viruses Distinct from bacteriophages Segmented viruses (contain more than one RNA molecule) Plant viruses do not enter via receptor attachment
Shapes: Isometric Helical Pleomorphic
Classification
Taxonomy in constant flux Most common taxonomic criteria for animal viruses: 1. Genome structure (DNA or RNA, ss vs. ds, segmented or not) 2. Virus particle structure (isometric, helical, pleomorphic) 3. Presence or absence of viral envelope Viruses infecting vertebrates are divided into 14 RNA families and 7 DNA families (Ending: -viridae)
Coronavirus
Classification:
Coronaviridae (Family) Coronavirus (Genus) Common cold virus (Species) (together with rhinoviruses)
Structure:
non-seg., lin., ssRNA, helical, env.
Herpesvirus
Classification:
Herpesviridae (Family) Herpesvirus (Genus) Herpes simplex type 1 / type 2 (Species)
Structure:
non-seg., lin., dsDNA, helical, env.
http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~faculty/wagner/movieindex.html
Methods of Study
Much more expensive and difficult to study animal viruses than bacteriophages
Time course
HEV
Reproductive Cycle
1. Attachment 2. Entry 3. Uncoating 4. Replication of NA and protein 5. Maturation of viral particles 6. Cell lysis
Transcription Strategy
Mechanisms of Release
1. Cytopathic effect: Unlike virulent phages most animal viruses do not encode for cell lytic enzymes. Instead degenerative changes associated with the virus lead to cell death. 2. Budding: from plasma membrane (most common) or from Golgi apparatus. May or may not kill cell. Enveloped viruses
Latent Infections
Acute infection symptomless period reactivation of disease
Symptoms of reactivation may differ from original disease No measurable viral particles during symptomless period Examples: HSV-1 and HSV-2; varicella
Chickenpox - Varicella
Blister-like rash on surface of skin and mucous membranes. Blisters usually appear first on trunk and face, then spread to almost everywhere else.
Shingles comes from latin cingulum, which means girdle or belt. It occurs in an area of the skin that is supplied by the sensory fibers of a single nervedermatome. Rash appears as well-defined band on one side of body, or on one side of face, arms or legs.
Chronic Infections
Virus can be demonstrated at all times Disease may or may not be present for extended time periods or show up late (carriers!)
Slow Infections
Gradual increase of infectious agent over long time period often no apparent symptoms for long time (=preclinical phase) Usually slowly progressive lethal diseases Examples
AIDS Lentivirus prions
Polyprotein is cleaved into individual proteins with viral protease assembly of virions budding
Kaposis Sarcoma
Purplish lesions of a skin cancer not usually seen in young men
Exception: Zoonotic viruses are transmissible from animals (arthropods, vertebrates) to man (zoonosis)
Arboviruses (West Nile virus), rabies etc.
Genetic Reassortent
In segmented viruses Simultaneous infection of one cell with 2 different types of viruses leads to exchange of genetic information Creation of major new influenza strains resulting in pandemics Antigenic shift vs. antigenic drift