Varicellovirus
Encyclopedia
Varicellovirus is a genus of Alphaherpesvirinae
.
The varicellovirus genus contains several closely related viruses, including Varicella zoster virus
(human herpesvirus 3), the causative agent of chickenpox in humans, and Pseudorabies
virus (Suid herpesvirus 1), the causative agent of Aujeszky's disease.
, the virus particle has a layered structure: Virions consist of an envelope
, a tegument
, a nucleocapsid, and a core. Tegument
is disordered; they do not display a structure and proteins in variable amounts are arranged sometimes in an asymmetric layer located between envelope and capsid. The viral capsid is contained within a spherical envelope which is 120-200 nm in diameter. Surface projections on envelope (viral receptors) are densely dispersed and contain small spikes that evenly dot the surface.
The capsid/nucleocapsid is round and exhibits icosahedral symmetry. The capsid is isometric and has a diameter of 100-110 nm. The capsid consists of 162 capsomer proteins with a hexagonal base and a hole running half-way down the long axis. The core consists of a fibrillar spool on which the DNA is wrapped. The end of the fibers are anchored to the underside of the capsid shell .
It is a double-stranded enveloped DNA virus
host. One member of the Varicellovirus genus, Varicella zoster virus
(HHV-3) infects Homo sapiens (humans) .
Alphaherpesvirinae
Alphaherpesvirinae is a subfamily of Herpesviridae primarily distinguished by reproducing more quickly than other subfamilies of Herpesviridae. In animal virology the most important herpesviruses belong to the Alphaherpesvirinae...
.
The varicellovirus genus contains several closely related viruses, including Varicella zoster virus
Varicella zoster virus
Varicella zoster virus is one of eight herpes viruses known to infect humans . It commonly causes chicken-pox in children and Herpes zoster in adults and rarely in children.-Nomenclature:...
(human herpesvirus 3), the causative agent of chickenpox in humans, and Pseudorabies
Pseudorabies
Pseudorabies is a viral disease in swine that is endemic in most parts of the world. It is caused by Suid herpesvirus 1 , which is also called Pseudorabies virus and is also known as Aujeszky's disease, and in cattle as mad itch. PRV is considered to be the most economically important viral...
virus (Suid herpesvirus 1), the causative agent of Aujeszky's disease.
Morphology
As with other Alpha-herpesvirusesAlphaherpesvirinae
Alphaherpesvirinae is a subfamily of Herpesviridae primarily distinguished by reproducing more quickly than other subfamilies of Herpesviridae. In animal virology the most important herpesviruses belong to the Alphaherpesvirinae...
, the virus particle has a layered structure: Virions consist of an envelope
Envelope
An envelope is a common packaging item, usually made of thin flat material. It is designed to contain a flat object, such as a letter or card....
, a tegument
Viral tegument
A viral tegument or tegument, more commonly known as a viral matrix, is a cluster of proteins that lines the space between the envelope and nucleocapsid of all herpesviruses. The tegument generally contains proteins that aid in viral DNA replication and evasion of the immune response, typically...
, a nucleocapsid, and a core. Tegument
Viral tegument
A viral tegument or tegument, more commonly known as a viral matrix, is a cluster of proteins that lines the space between the envelope and nucleocapsid of all herpesviruses. The tegument generally contains proteins that aid in viral DNA replication and evasion of the immune response, typically...
is disordered; they do not display a structure and proteins in variable amounts are arranged sometimes in an asymmetric layer located between envelope and capsid. The viral capsid is contained within a spherical envelope which is 120-200 nm in diameter. Surface projections on envelope (viral receptors) are densely dispersed and contain small spikes that evenly dot the surface.
The capsid/nucleocapsid is round and exhibits icosahedral symmetry. The capsid is isometric and has a diameter of 100-110 nm. The capsid consists of 162 capsomer proteins with a hexagonal base and a hole running half-way down the long axis. The core consists of a fibrillar spool on which the DNA is wrapped. The end of the fibers are anchored to the underside of the capsid shell .
It is a double-stranded enveloped DNA virus
Hosts
The virus's natural host is a single type of vertebrateVertebrate
Vertebrates are animals that are members of the subphylum Vertebrata . Vertebrates are the largest group of chordates, with currently about 58,000 species described. Vertebrates include the jawless fishes, bony fishes, sharks and rays, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds...
host. One member of the Varicellovirus genus, Varicella zoster virus
Varicella zoster virus
Varicella zoster virus is one of eight herpes viruses known to infect humans . It commonly causes chicken-pox in children and Herpes zoster in adults and rarely in children.-Nomenclature:...
(HHV-3) infects Homo sapiens (humans) .