Basic Virology Flashcards
What are viruses?
Obligate intracellular parasites that replicate by self-assembly of individual components rather than by binary fission
T or F: often viruses make energy and proteins independent of the host cell.
False, viruses cannot make energy or proteins independent of the host cell. This why they are obligate and intracellular
What is unique of DNA and RNA in a viral genome?
A virus can never have both DNA and RNA in its genome
What are the 4 characteristics used to classify viruses?
- Size
- Morphology (shape and presence of absence of capsule)
- Presence of Genome
- Mechanism of Replication
What is the general rule regarding the size of DNA vs. RNA genomes?
DNA genomes are typically bigger
T or F: and combination of single or double stranded RNA or DNA virus can exist.
True, as only as the virus only contains DNA OR RNA
- What are Capsids?
- how are they assembled?
- What are the different forms?
- Capsids are rigid structures that withstand environmental conditions
- Capsids resulf from the SELF-ASSEMBLY of virally-encoded capsomeres
- *3 Forms**
a. Helical
b. Icosahedral or Spherical
c. Complex
What makes of the virion of a Naked Virus?
NUCLEOCAPSID= Genome + Capsid
Lipid Envelope
- where is it derived from?
- What is inserted into it?
- Relative stability to naked viruses?
Derived From:
- Cell membranes
Within the Lipid Envelope:
- Virally-endcoded Glycoproteins
Stability:
- LESS STABLE THAN NAKED VIRUSES
What are some things that enveloped viruses are susceptible to that naked virus are not susceptible to/less susceptible to?
- Enveloped = more susceptible to Drying
- Enveloped = sensitive to detergents and alcohols
- Enveloped = cannot survive in the G.I. tract
***How do enveloped viruses spread?
- Large Droplets
- Secretions
- Organ Transplants
- Blood Transfusions
What are the 8 steps in viral replication?
- Attachment
- Penetration
- Uncoating
- Early Transcription of Non-Structural Proteins
- Genome Replication
- Late Transcription of Structural Proteins
- Assembly
- Release
How do DNA and RNA viruses differ in:
- Early Transcription
- Genome Replication
- Assembly of Virus Particles
Early Transcription:
RNA - Virally-encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
DNA - host RNA polymerase (except poxviruses)
Genome Replication/assembly of Virus Particles:
RNA - Cytoplasmic
DNA - Nuclear
What are the 6 ways that viruses are cytopathogenic to host cells?
- Inhibition of Cellular Protein Synthesis
- Inhibition and Degradation of Cellular DNA
- Alteration of Cell Membrane Structure
- Disruption of Cytoskeleton
- Formation of Inclusion Bodies
- Toxicity of Virion Components
How does a +RNA virus replicate in a cell?
- +RNA is directly translated by HOST ribosomes
- New Viral Proteins are Made, One of which is an RNA dependent RNA polymerase that turns +RNA to -RNA
3a. -RNA is in turn used to make more +RNA via the RNA dependent RNA polymerase
3b. + RNA is used to make more proteins
What is the main difference between -RNA virus and a +RNA virus?
- RNA virus must carry a RNA dependent RNA polymerase with it.
- RNA virus also doesn’t usually synthesize a giant protein that needs to be cleaved
why? because this isn’t a normal component of a human cell, this added step is not needed in the +RNA virus because it can jump right into protein synthesis to make an RNA dependent RNA polymerase that will make -RNA which can be used to make more +RNA
How does a retrovirus differ from a typical +RNA virus?
- Retroviruses carry RNA dependent DNA polymerase with them so they can use RNA to make DNA that is incorporated into the host genome, that DNA can then be used to carry out the normal virus function of a +RNA (as far as I know) to make more +RNA, and Proteins needed to proliferate
What is a Plaque Assay?
- what is it used for?
- What does it do?
- units?
What is it:
A monolayer of cells infected with the virus is created, Virus Lyses the cells, Holes created are measured, this is called a Plaque
What is it used for:
- Measures the number of infectious virions in a given volume of lysate
- Units: pfu (plaque forming units) per ml of lysate = TITER
What is a lysate?
- what is the particle-to-pfu ratio?
- Suspension of Virions in culture medium that results from unrestricted growth of the virus on a cell monolayer
Particle to pfu Ratio:
- measures the number of physical particles compared to the number of infectious virions
What is the Multiplicity of Infection (MOI)?
- what MOI ensures killing of 60% of cells?
- 100%?
The ratio of the number of infectious particles to the number of target cells to be infected
MOA = 1 will only infect about 60% of cells MOA = 5-10 ensures that all cells are infected
How do we measure infectivity of virus?
Plaque Assays
What two parts can a single-cycle growth curve be divided into and what makes up these two periods?
- corresponding steps in viral replication?
- Eclipse Period
a. Post-penetration phase until virus can be detected INTRACELLULARLY
b. corresponding steps: 1) Uncoating 2) Early Transcription 3) Genome Replication *ends at virus assembly
- Latent Period
a. Post-penetration phase until virus can be detected EXTRACELLULARLY (INCLUDES ECLIPSE PERIOD)
b. corresponding steps: 1) Uncoating 2) early transcription 3) genome replication 4) virus assembly and release
What 2 main factors account for the high mutation frequency seen in viruses?
- between RNA and DNA viruses, which would you expect to have a higher mutation rate and why?
- Large numbers of Genome copies are produced in each cell
- Polymerase errors occur ESPECIALLY FOR RNA VIRUSES, this is because RNA polymerases do not have proofreading mechanisms
What is complementation?
**An exchange of Proteins
1) two viruses infect a cell
2) Virus 1 has a mutation in a vital protein, Virus 2 is not mutated
3) Virus 1 uses machinery that is properly coded for in Virus 2
4) both viruses replicate and can infect new cells
***However, Virus 1 will not be able to complete its replication cycle without Virus 2
**NOTE: Virus 1 and Virus 2 would most likely both be the same virus
What is Recombination?
- limitations?
- Recombination is limited to DNA viruses but RNA viruses can undergo a similar process.
1) Two Viruses Infect the same cell
2) one or both may have lethal mutations (if both then the mutations MUST be at different loci)
3) Virus 1 and Virus 2 recombine (cross-over) their DNA so that at least 1 completely functional virus is made
4) completely functional virus will be able to infect host cells, the other will not be able to
What is Reassortment?
- What virus is this particularly important for?
- Very important to the influenza virus
1) Two SEGMENTED viruses infect a cell (AB) and (ab)
2) Parts of their genome assort apart from the others and Genetic material is exchanged
3) Two viruses with a new genetic identity are packaged up and can infect a new host (Ab) (aB)
What are the two methods by which viruses are spread?
- which is most common?
- What antibodies do you think would be most important?
- where does initial Replication take place?
Viruses are spread via breaks in skin or across mucosa
- Virus into Respiratory Mucosa is most common
- hence, IgA (dimeric) is likely the most important at blocking infection
- Initial Replication takes place in cells that:
1) express appropriate Viral Receptors
2) Contain appropriate Factors for Replication
In what two ways can localized spread of a virus take place?
a. Release of Virus from an infected cell and subsequent infection of surrounding cells
SYNCYTIA FORMATION:
b. some ENVELOPED viruses can fuse an infected cell with an uninfected cell to directly spread to surrounding cells
How does Secondary spread of a virus often occur?
- Virus spreads from the original site of infection by gaining access to the bloodstream or lymphatic system
- Virus can get access to CNS by circumventing the BBB by:
- Using CSF
- Direct uptake in peripheral nerves
What viremia?
Presence of Virions in the blood