Exam Review 1 Flashcards
What is a virus?
An infectious, obligate intracellular parasite comprising genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat and/or an envelope derived from a host cell membrane
How do viruses replicate?
replicate by assembly of pre‐formed components into many particles
How are viruses cultivated/cultured?
- primary human foreskin fibroblast (made from fresh tissues); 2. mouse fibroblast cell like (3T3); 3. HeLa cells (human epithelial cell line); NOTE: 3T3 and HeLa are continuous cell lines
What are synctia?
fusion of several cells to create 1 giant cell
What is a plaque assay?
Allows determination of viral count; series of dilutions; want the count to be between 10 and 100; add agar overlay, can later be removed for staining and counting
How can a virus be measured?
hemagglutination, electron microscopy, viral enzymes, serology, nucleic acid
How many kinds of viral genomes are there?
7
What is the key rule of viral genomes?
They must make mRNA that can be read by host ribosomes b/c they’re parasites (can’t carry out protein synthesis on their own)
What are the rules of + and - strand DNA and RNA?
mRNA is always + strand; DNA of equivalent polarity is also the + strand; RNA and DNA complements of + strands are - strands; Not all + RNA is mRNA
What is encoded in the viral genome?
Gene products and regulatory signals for: replication of the viral genome, assembly and packaging of the genome, regulation and timing of the replication cycle, modulation of host defenses, spread to other cells and hosts
What is NOT encoded in the viral genome?
No genes encoding the complete protein synthesis machinery, no genes encoding proteins involved in energy production or membrane biosynthesis, no classical centromeres or telomeres
What are examples of dsDNA viruses? (double stranded)
adenovirus, herpesvirus, papillomavirus, polyomavirus, poxvirus
How are dsDNA genomes copied?
Either by DNA pol that they bring with them or by the DNA pol from the host
How are gapped dsDNA genomes copied?
This genome can’t be copied - it has to be repaired! Reverse transcriptase helps to complete the double stranded DNA
How is ssDNA copied?
Has to be converted to dsDNA
What is unique about RNA genomic viruses?
Host cells have no RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), so RNA viruses encode RdRp, which produces RNA genomes and mRNA from RNA templates
How does dsRNA replicate?
Viruses carry RdRp; copy the + RNA strand
Which family of viruses are ssRNA + sense with DNA intermediate?
Retroviruses! (HIV, HTLV)
How do retroviruses work?
+ stranded RNA genome - looks like an mRNA… but it’s not translated! RNA is copied to a single strand of -DNA and then to double stranded DNA through reverse transcriptase (brought in w/ the particle - RNA is not translated)
What is a provirus of a retrovirus?
Integrated retroviral DNA in the host genome
What are some examples of ssRNA - sense?
paramyxovirus (measles, mumps), rhabdovirus (rabies), filovirus (ebola, marburg), orthomyxovirus (flu), arenavirus (lassa)
What is reassortment?
Typically occurs when there is a segmented genome; when 2 strains coinfect a cell, then new virus particles can also mix, enabling a lot of genetic diversity
What is the example of viral therapy in ABCD1 transporter?
Treatment for x-linked adrenoleukodystrophy; patient’s marrow derived hematopoietic stem cells infected with lentiviral vector with normal ABCD1 transporter gene; re-infused into patient; neurological status improved or stabilized
What does it mean that viruses are metastable?
Must protect the genome (stable) AND come apart on infection (unstable)