Molluscipoxvirus

Molluscipoxvirus is a genus of viruses in the family Poxviridae in the subfamily Chordopoxvirinae. Humans serve as natural hosts. Only one species is placed in this genus, the type species molluscum contagiosum virus. Diseases associated with this genus include molluscum contagiosum skin lesions.^[1][2]

Taxonomy

Group: dsDNA

^[2]

Structure

Viruses in Molluscipoxvirus are enveloped, with brick-shaped geometries. Genomes are linear, around 190 kb in length.^[1]

Lifecycle

Viral replication is cytoplasmic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by attachment of the viral proteins to host. Glycosaminoglycans mediate endocytosis of the virus into the host cell. The virion fuses with the plasma membrane to release the core into the host cytoplasm. In the early phase, early genes are transcribed in the cytoplasm by viral RNA polymerase. Early expression begins at 30 minutes after infection. The core is completely uncoated as early expression ends, and the viral genome is now free in the cytoplasm. In the intermediate phase, intermediate genes are expressed, triggering genomic DNA replication around 100 minutes postinfection. In the late phase, late genes are expressed from 140 min to 48 hours after infection, producing all structural proteins. Assembly of progeny virions starts in cytoplasmic viral factories, producing spherical immature particles. These particles mature into brick-shaped intracellular mature virions, which can be released upon cell lysis, or can acquire a second double membrane from trans-Golgi and bud as external enveloped virion host receptors, which mediate endocytosis. Replication follows the DNA strand displacement model. DNA-templated transcription is the method of transcription. The virus exits the host cell by existing in occlusion bodies after cell death and remaining infectious until finding another host. Humans serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are sexual and contact.^[1]

References

External links

• Viralzone: Molluscipoxvirus
• ICTV