Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Isolation of Viral Replication Compartment-enriched Sub-nuclear Fractions from Adenovirus-infected Normal Human Cells
10:22

Isolation of Viral Replication Compartment-enriched Sub-nuclear Fractions from Adenovirus-infected Normal Human Cells

Published on: November 12, 2015

Structure of human adenovirus

Glen R Nemerow1, Phoebe L Stewart, Vijay S Reddy

  • 1The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States. gnemerow@scripps.edu

Current Opinion in Virology
|April 10, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Researchers determined the structure of the human adenovirus capsid, a large macromolecular complex, using X-ray diffraction. This reveals key protein interactions essential for virus assembly and host cell interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Structural biology
  • Virology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Human adenovirus (HAdV) is a complex macromolecular assembly (150 MDa).
  • Previous structural analyses were limited by size and complexity.
  • Understanding HAdV structure is crucial for viral assembly and host interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the high-resolution structure of the entire human adenovirus capsid.
  • To elucidate the organization and interactions of viral proteins.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray diffraction at 3.5 Å resolution.
  • Advances in viral genome manipulation.
  • Improvements in crystallographic techniques and data processing.

Main Results:

  • Detailed structure of the 150 MDa human adenovirus capsid determined.
  • Location, folds, and interactions of major and minor capsid proteins identified.
  • Insights into protein organization on inner and outer capsid surfaces.

Conclusions:

  • The determined structure provides a comprehensive view of the adenovirus capsid.
  • Structural information illuminates adenovirus assembly mechanisms.
  • New insights into virus-host cell interactions are provided.

More Related Videos

Combined Genetic and Chemical Capsid Modifications of Adenovirus-Based Gene Transfer Vectors for Shielding and Targeting08:14

Combined Genetic and Chemical Capsid Modifications of Adenovirus-Based Gene Transfer Vectors for Shielding and Targeting

Published on: October 26, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
Introduction to Virus01:28

Introduction to Virus

Viruses are unique biological entities that blur the boundary between living and non-living systems. Although they lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, they can exhibit characteristics of life when infecting a host. Their defining feature is a nucleic acid core, composed of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated within a protein coat called a capsid. This simple structure allows them to invade host cells and use their machinery for replication efficiently.Viral Structure and...
What are Viruses?00:50

What are Viruses?

Overview
Structure of Cadherins01:25

Structure of Cadherins

The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins”   is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This diversity of cadherins...
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...