Non enveloped, icosahedral capsid with a T=25 symmetry. Capsid’s diameter is about 90-120nm.
GENOME
Non segmented, linear double-stranded DNA of 35-36kb. The genome has terminally redundant sequences which have inverted terminal repetitions (ITR). The terminal protein (TP) is covalently attached to each end of the genome.
GENE EXPRESSION
Transcription is nuclear, in two phases; early (replication), late
(virion assembly). All genes are transcribed by host RNA pol II except VA
gene which is transcribed by RNA pol III. Genes transcribed by RNA pol II give
rise to multiple mRNA that are differentiated by alternative splicing and use
of different poly(A) sites.
REPLICATION
NUCLEUS
Virus attaches to host receptors though the fiber glycoproteins and is endocytosed into vesicles in the host cell.
Disruption of the endosome releases the viral capsid in the cytosol.
released into the nucleus.
Transcription of early genes (E genes),
replication of the DNA genome in the nucleus.
Transcription of late genes (L genes), mostly encoding for structural
proteins.
