Complex

virions
Week 4, Session 6 Virology I: How viruses work Prof. V. Racaniello

Structurally complex capsids

Largest viruses; disCnct components with dierent symmetries Presence of proteins devoted to specialized roles

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Adenovirus

Adenovirus 150 nm T=25 capsid, made of 720 copies of viral protein II + 60 copies of protein III Fibers at 12 verCces

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Reoviruses T=13 70 - 90 nm two concentric shells

Complex capsids with two icosahedral protein layers

VP7 trimers, T=13

VP3 monomers, T=2

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Herpesviridae

80 viral genes, >50% encode proteins of 2,000 virions Envelope proteins (13) Icosahedral nucleocapsid surrounding DNA genome (4) Tegument (20) - delivery of proteins required early in infecCon

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Holes for entry and exit of DNA

Herpes simplex capsid

The portal or opening for viral DNA is built at ONE of the 12, 5-fold ver>ces of the T=16 herpesvirus capsid 2009 ASM Press
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The TAILED VIRUSES The majority of bacterial viruses (bacteriophage) employ a molecular device called a tail for recogniCon and adachment to the host cell, penetraCon of the cell envelope, and for DNA transfer from the virus capsid into the host cell cytoplasm

The tail is adached at one of the 12 verCces of the capsid (capsid has icosahedral symmetry). The tail is a complex rod - uses helical symmetry in many places - some tails are contrac>le
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An iron loaded spike

Complex virion structures are challenging viral structural biologists

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Other virion components

Enzymes

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polymerases, integrases, associated proteins proteases poly(A) polymerase capping enzymes topoisomerase

AcCvators, mRNA degradaCon, required for ecient infecCon, mRNAs Cellular components - histones, tRNAs, myristate, lipid, cyclophilin A, and many more
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Images from Principles of Virology 2009 American Society for Microbiology Are used with permission No further reproducCon or distribuCon is permided without the prior wriden permission of the American Society for Microbiology

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