MODULE 5: INTRODUCTION TO VIROLOGY

COURSE CONTENT − Animals, plants,protist, fungi, bacteria and humans.

I Definition of Terms − Most viruses infect only specific types of cells in 1 host
II Differences among viruses, bacteria, and fungi species.
III General characteristics of viruses • It is determined by the exact attachment (receptor) site on
IV Structure of a virus
A Icosahedral naked host cell’s surface and availability of host cell factors.
i Icosahedral enveloped − Cell surface attachment: cell wall, cell membrane,
ii Helical naked cytoskeletal structure
iii Helical enveloped 4 POSSIBILITIES FOR A VIRUS GENOME
V Classification of viruses based on:
A Type of nucleic acid
1. Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)
B Presence or absence of envelope 2. Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)
VI Viral Replication Cycle 3. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)
A Attachment 4. Single-stranded RNA (ssRNA)
B Penetration THE VIRION
C Uncoating
D Biosynthesis
E Assembly
F Exit

VIROLOGY
Virology is the study of viruses and virus-like agents, including
(but not limited to) their taxonomy, disease-producing
properties, cultivation and genetics. It is often considered a part
of microbiology or pathology.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VIRUSES
• Smallest infectious agents
– 20 to 300 nm in diameter
• They are complex aggregates of nonliving chemicals
• They contain a single type of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), a
protein coat (capsid), sometimes enclosed by an
envelope made of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates
• Obligate intracellular parasites, multiply by using the host’s
cell machinery causing synthesis of specialized elements
which can transfer viral nucleic acid to other cells. THE VIRAL STRUCTURE
DIFFERENCES AMONG VIRUSES, BACTERIA, AND VIRION
FUNGI − the complete fully developed, infectious viral particle
Bacteria Viruses Fungi − Composed of nucleic acid aid and surrounded by
Single cells protein coat which protects it from environment and
Need microscope Smaller than (yeasts) or serve as vehicle of transmission from 1 host cell to
to see them bacteria threads another.
(mushrooms) NUCLEIC ACID
Need warmth, Need warmth, − nucleic acid core “genome” (single stranded or double
Smaller than
moisture and moisture and stranded)
bacteria
nutrients nutrients
− RNA – ribonucleic acid
Divided into
Aerobes or − DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid
aerobes and “Non” living
anaerobes CAPSID
anaerobes
Saprophytes or Saprophytes or − the protein shell, or coat, that encloses the nucleic acid
Always parasites genome which is ether resistant;
parasites parasites
− Consists of many subunits “capsomeres”
WHY DO WE NEED TO STUDY VIRUSES?
1. Viruses may cause disease CAPSID SYMMETRY
2. Other viruses are useful a. Cubic symmetry - Icosahedral pattern; responsible for viral
a. Source of enzymes morphology
b. Pesticides b. Helical symmetry - bound in periodic way; (-) sense RNA
c. Anti-bacterial and anti-cancer agents viruses; Complex (Poxvirus)
d. Gene vectors for treatment of genetic diseases c. Icosahedral – DNA, (+) sense RNA; common
3. Viruses have contributed to human knowledge Purpose:
HOST RANGE a. To protect the viral genome from destructive agents in the
• It refers to the spectrum of host cells in which virus can external environment.
multiply b. To introduce the viral genome into the host cell.

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UNCOATING
• Mediated by cellular proteases and results in the separation
CAPSOMERS of the capsid from the viral genome
− complex morphologic subunits of the capsid which BIOSYNTHESIS
consist of several identical or different protein • Viral genes are expressed, resulting in the production of
molecules. pieces or parts of viruses (virions)
NUCLEOCAPSID
− made up the core, capsid and its capsomeres Synthesis of Early
PEPLOS Protein: Involved in
− lipoprotein envelope that covers the capsid; genome replication
PEPLOMERS Synthesis of Late
− lipoprotein subunits of the peplos; Proteins: Used in
SPIKES the development of
structural
− glycoprotein molecules which are usually associated
components of the
with each other in the form of oligomers that are easily
visible in the electron microscope. Virion
STEPS IN VIRAL REPLICATION CYCLE
1. Attachment
ASSEMBLY
2. Penetration
3. Uncoating
4. Early mRNA and protein synthesis
5. Viral genome replication
6. Late mRNA and protein synthesis
7. Assembly of virion
8. Release
ATTACHMENT
• Otherwise known as adsorption
• Occurs when the virion comes in contact with the host cell

• Is the packaging of the new copies of the genome nucleic

acid into the capsid proteins
RELEASE

PENETRATION
• Occurs when the virus passes through the plasma
membrane.
− (1) Enveloped viruses penetrate via fusion. • Otherwise known as Egress of the progeny virus
− (2) Naked viruses can penetrate transversely. • The final step wherein the lipid envelope is acquired along
Pinocytosis is the process of pinching through the with the glycoproteins as the progeny viral nucleocapsid
plasma membrane, which results in viruses entering buds through the membrane
within cytoplasmic vacuoles.

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