Taxonomy:
- Family: Herpesviridae
- Subfamily: Alphaherpesvirinae
- Genus: Simplex virus
- Species: Human Herpes Virus 1 (HSV-1)
- Human Herpes Virus 2 (HSV-2)
- Subfamily: Betaherpesvirinae
- Genus: Cytomegalovirus
- Species: Human Herpes Virus 5 (CMV)
Genus: Muromegalovirus- Species: Mouse Cytomegalovirus 1
Genus: Roseolovirus- Species: Human Herpesvirus 6 (HSV-6)
- Human Herpesvirus 7 (HSV-7)
- Subfamily: Gammaherpesvirinae
- Genus: Lymphocryptovirus
- Species: Human Herpesvirus 4 (EBV)
- Human Herpesvirus 8 (HSV-8)
Structure:
Herpesviridae is a double stranded DNA virus. It has an envelope which surrounds the capsid. The envelope is 100nm in diameter and consists of a lipid bilayer. It contains spikes that represent viral glycoproteins. The envelope is derived from the inner nuclear membrane of the host cell.
The capsid surrounds the core. It is made up of 162 capsomeres. The capsomeres are broken up into 12 pentavalent and 150 hexavalent. Each capsomere has a central indentation.
In-between the envelope and the capsid is an ill defined layer of proteins called a tegument. It is asymmetrically distributed.
The core is electron dense and harbors the double stranded DNA. The DNA is wrapped around fibrillar spools. The ends of the fibers are attached to the capsid shell. The core is approximately 75nm in diameter.
Infection:
Alphaherpesvirinae have a broad host range and are highly lytic in culture. Betaherpesvirinae have a restricted host range and grow slowly in culture. Cells infected with Betaherpesvirinae often show enlargement. Gammaherpesvirinae infect lymphoblastoid cells.
*Disclaimer - This report was written by a student participaring in a microbiology course at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. The accuracy of the contents of this report is not guaranteed and it is recommended that you seek additional sources of information to verify the contents.
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