Viruses Part II

It was not until the 1950s that scientists were able to isolate and identify how viruses multiplied in a host It was not until the 1950s that scientists were able to isolate and identify how viruses multiplied in a host Much of the early research was performed using a bacteriophage (or a virus that infects only a bacteria) Much of the early research was performed using a bacteriophage (or a virus that infects only a bacteria) Specifically, scientists studied T4 bacteriophage that infected the E. coli bacteria Specifically, scientists studied T4 bacteriophage that infected the E. coli bacteria

Virulence the ability of a pathogen to affect cells Virulence – the ability of a pathogen to affect cells Some viruses are nonvirulent to specific types of cells Some viruses are nonvirulent to specific types of cells Ex: human could consume the leaves of a tobacco plant with TMV and not become infected Ex: human could consume the leaves of a tobacco plant with TMV and not become infected Scientists call the activity of a virulent virus the lytic cycle Scientists call the activity of a virulent virus the lytic cycle

During the lytic cycle:  During the lytic cycle: the virus invades the cell, the virus invades the cell, uses the resources of the host cell to produce multiple copies of the viral nucleic acid, uses the resources of the host cell to produce multiple copies of the viral nucleic acid, destroys the host cell destroys the host cell Releases new virions (complete virus particle) into the environment Releases new virions (complete virus particle) into the environment

Step 1 Attachment Step 1 Attachment The glycoprotein (“spikes”) on the outside of a virus capsid adhere to the cell wall/cell membrane of its intended host The glycoprotein (“spikes”) on the outside of a virus capsid adhere to the cell wall/cell membrane of its intended host

Step 2 – Entry Step 2 – Entry Once attached to the exterior of the host cell, enzymes begin to break it down and the core (DNA/RNA) is injected into the host cell Once attached to the exterior of the host cell, enzymes begin to break it down and the core (DNA/RNA) is injected into the host cell

Step 3 – Replication and Transcription Step 3 – Replication and Transcription Using the cell’s enzymes and organelles, the virus begins to produce multiple copies of the viral nucleic acid, mRNA, enzymes, and proteins Using the cell’s enzymes and organelles, the virus begins to produce multiple copies of the viral nucleic acid, mRNA, enzymes, and proteins

Step 4 – Assembly Step 4 – Assembly The virus proteins form capsids around the replicated viral DNA/RNA, forming new virions The virus proteins form capsids around the replicated viral DNA/RNA, forming new virions

Step 5 – Release Step 5 – Release Eventually, the resources of the host cell are used up, the organelles being used wear out, and the enzymes coded by the virus cause the cell to lysis or burst open Eventually, the resources of the host cell are used up, the organelles being used wear out, and the enzymes coded by the virus cause the cell to lysis or burst open This releases the new virions into the environment and potentially infecting new host cells This releases the new virions into the environment and potentially infecting new host cells

Certain bacteriophages, human polio, influenza are relatively virulent → meaning they can infect one cell and complete the lytic cycle within 30 minutes Certain bacteriophages, human polio, influenza are relatively virulent → meaning they can infect one cell and complete the lytic cycle within 30 minutes

Not all viruses destroy the host cell immediately after the entry phase… lysogenic cycle During the lysogenic cycle, a virus that enters a cell may remain inactive (or latent) for long periods of time While in the latent stage, the virus has inserted its genome into the host’s DNA and it is replicated each time the cell undergoes cell division all new cells have the virus in them Essentially, the lysogenic viruses reproduce each time the cell divides so that all new cells have the virus in them

 A lysogenic virus may lay dormant until stimuli (like UV radiation, temperature change, or other agents) cause it to become virulent and undergo the lytic cycle

 Persistent infections  Persistent infections – the host cell does not go through the lytic cycle but slowly releases virus particles  Transforming viruses  Transforming viruses – significantly alter the cell’s metabolism by adding new genetic info but does not destroy the cell