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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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses

Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses

Published on: December 29, 2015

Chapter 12 Coronaviridae.

Malcolm R Macnaughton¹, Heather A Davies²

¹Boots Celltech Diagnostics Limited, 240 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, U.K.

Perspectives in Medical Virology

|April 15, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses with RNA genomes and distinct surface projections. Their morphology and protein composition vary, impacting antigenic relationships and worldwide distribution.

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Area of Science:

Virology
Microbiology

Background:

Coronaviruses are spherical, enveloped viruses characterized by surface projections called peplomers.
Their genome consists of a single molecule of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA).
Virions contain three major structural protein classes.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe the general morphology and structural characteristics of coronaviruses.
To highlight the variability in coronavirus structure and protein composition.
To discuss the implications of these characteristics on viral classification and epidemiology.

Main Methods:

Analysis of electron microscopy data for negative staining of coronavirus particles.
Characterization of viral genome and protein composition.
Review of existing literature on coronavirus morphology and antigenicity.

Main Results:

Coronavirus particles are typically spherical but can be pleomorphic, especially when air-dried.
Surface projections (peplomers) vary in shape (tear-drop, cone) and size (approx. 20 nm length), with some strains exhibiting additional shorter projections.
Significant variation exists in the number and molecular weight of polypeptides within the three major protein classes between different coronavirus species.

Conclusions:

Coronavirus morphology, including peplomer shape and size, displays considerable strain-specific variation.
The complex antigenic relationships of coronaviruses are likely influenced by variations in their structural proteins and surface features.
Understanding these structural diversities is crucial for coronavirus research, diagnostics, and vaccine development.