Welcome to herpes virus page!


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Herpes viruses are monopartite,linear, double stranded DNA (125-229 kbp) viruses. HSV are 154 kb long, CMV are 231 kb long and EBV are 154 kb long. They have shown to be infectious under appropriate experimental conditions and their relative size is between 120-200 nm in diameter

The herpesvirus family is characterized by their structural Components which include:
1.) envelope: which makes the viron appear pleomorphic, contains glycoprotein surfaces projections 8-10 nm long and has Fc receptors.
2.) tegument: amorphous globular material surrounding capsid.
3.) capsid: icosahedral geometry, 100-110 nm, with 162 capsomers and T = 16.
4.) core: contains ds DNA encircling a cylendrical spool of proteins.

Replication of herpesviruses takes place in the nucleus. More intersting sequential transcription and translation of early alpha, beta and gama genes (early genes regulate transcription of later genes) occurs to produce alpha, beta and gama proteins. The packaging of the virus involves head-full packaging and the envelope is acquired by budding through the nuclear membrane

Encapsidation and the assembly of viral particles occurs in the nucleus. Maturation of viral particles occurs by budding through the inner layer of two layered nuclear membrane. The viral particles are then transported across cytoplasm in vesicles. The envelope is acquired by fusing with the plasma membrane

CPE include cytocidal infection in permissive cells is cytocidal and intranuclear inclusions,sometimes cytogmegalic cells or sycytia