Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Particle Agglutination Method for Poliovirus Identification
Published on: April 20, 2011
Expanding knowledge of P3 proteins in the poliovirus lifecycle
Craig E Cameron1, Hyung Suk Oh, Ibrahim M Moustafa
1Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. cec9@psu.edu
Abstract:
Poliovirus is the most extensively studied member of the order Picornavirales, which contains numerous medical, veterinary and agricultural pathogens. The picornavirus genome encodes a single polyprotein that is divided into three regions: P1, P2 and P3. P3 proteins are known to participate more directly in genome replication, for example by containing the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp or 3Dpol), among several other proteins and enzymes. We will review recent data that provide new insight into the structure, function and mechanism of P3 proteins and their complexes, which are required for initiation of genome replication. Replication of poliovirus genomes occurs within macromolecular complexes, containing viral RNA, viral proteins and host-cell membranes, collectively referred to as replication complexes. P2 proteins clearly contribute to interactions with the host cell that are required for virus multiplication, including formation of replication complexes. We will discuss recent data that suggest a role for P3 proteins in formation of replication complexes. Among the least understood steps of the poliovirus lifecycle is encapsidation of genomic RNA. We will also describe data that suggest a role for P3 proteins in this step.
Related Concept Videos
Poliomyelitis
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Inhibitors Of Virion Release

