Viruses

 Virus
o Subcellular, obligate intracellular parasites
 Virion = complete infectious particle
o PROPERTIES: Diverse, limited host range, cell tropism, survival dilemma
o STRUCTURE:
 Core of DNA or RNA (with some nucleoproteins), capsid (protein coat)), and
possibly outer envelope.
 Capsid:
 Found in ALL viruses!
 “Protein shell” around nucleic acid (forming nucleocapsid)
o Structural proteins aggregate into “capsomers” which self-
assemble into capsid.
 Helical (rigid/flexible rod), icosahedral (20 facets, 12 vertices, 5:3:2
symmetry), or complex
 ALL human viruses with “helical” capsid posses an envelope!!!
 Envelope:
 2 lipid layers from host (plasma membrane, nucleus, or Golgi App).
 Contains glyoproteins (spikes) to aid in attachment to host.
 Can cause persistent infections! (bud out of cell w/o killing host)
 Infectious ONLY if envelope is intact
o Alcohol & detergent damages envelope (reduce infectivity)
o Cannot tolerate GI tract conditions (dissolves envelope)
 Influenza Virus
o Surface envelope glycoproteins:
 Hemagglutinnin-binds sialic acid on host epithelium
and agglutinates RBCs
 Neuramindiase-dissolves mneuraminic acid of host
cytoplasmic membrane (releases virus from host cell)
 Viral Proteins:
 Nucleoproteins:
o Stabilize nucleic acid during replication
o Enzymatic functions (ex. RNA-Polymerase or Reverse
Transcriptase)
 Matrix Proteins:
o Link envelope and capsid (stablization)
o Drives “assembly process” & determines budding location
 Surface Proteins:
o Glycoproteins for attachment (ex. Hemagglutinnin)
o Bacteriophages: viruses of prokaryotes (majority dsDNA)
o Detection of Viruses:
 Plaque Assay (