Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Viral Structure

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.

Introduction to Virus

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...

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

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...

What are Viruses?

What are Viruses?

Viruses with RNA Genomes

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...

Subviral Agents

Subviral Agents

Subviral agents are infectious entities that resemble viruses but lack one or more viral components, such as a capsid or essential replication machinery. These agents include viroids, prions, and satellites, each possessing distinct structural and functional characteristics that influence their mode of infection and replication.Viroids are the simplest subviral agents, consisting of circular, single-stranded RNA molecules without a protein coat. They exclusively infect plants, relying entirely...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Structures of asymmetric particles of tick-borne encephalitis virus provide insight into flavivirus assembly and maturation.

Science advances·2026

Same author

Cryo-EM structure of the Arabidopsisthaliana ribosome in translating and non-translating states.

Structure (London, England : 1993)·2026

Same author

Structure determination and dual targeting of a plant TACO1 identifies its ancient role as an organelle translation regulator.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Coxsackie B1 virus-like particle that lacks VP4 protein demonstrates improved vaccine scalability, stability and immunogenicity.

Journal of biomedical science·2026

Same author

Clinicopathological characteristics of patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer harboring circulating NRF2 pathway mutations.

The Journal of pathology·2026

Same author

Doing More with Less: Accurate and Scalable Ligand Free Energy Calculations by Focusing on the Binding Site.

Journal of chemical information and modeling·2026

Same journal

Combination adjuvants: clinical value and mechanisms of action.

Current opinion in virology·2026

Same journal

Editorial Overview: Immunopathogenesis in viral disease.

Current opinion in virology·2026

Same journal

Architecture and evolution of viral complement evasion.

Current opinion in virology·2026

Same journal

The HEV capsid through a dynamic lens: parallels and divergence from caliciviruses.

Current opinion in virology·2026

Same journal

When structural rationales fall short: revisiting the immunogenicity of herpesvirus prefusion and postfusion glycoprotein B.

Current opinion in virology·2026

Same journal

Beyond brain fog: viral proteins as convergent drivers of neuroinflammation and proteinopathy.

Current opinion in virology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 19, 2025

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

Published on: October 29, 2015

Virus structure and structure-based antivirals.

Zlatka Plavec¹, Ina Pöhner², Antti Poso³

¹Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Bioscience Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Current Opinion in Virology

|September 26, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Recent structure-based antiviral research focuses on SARS-CoV-2 proteins and picornaviruses. Key targets include the spike protein, main protease, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, with novel strategies for inhibiting viral entry.

More Related Videos

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses

Published on: May 5, 2014

Engineering Antiviral Agents via Surface Plasmon Resonance

Engineering Antiviral Agents via Surface Plasmon Resonance

Published on: June 14, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 19, 2025

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

Published on: October 29, 2015

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses

Published on: May 5, 2014

Engineering Antiviral Agents via Surface Plasmon Resonance

Engineering Antiviral Agents via Surface Plasmon Resonance

Published on: June 14, 2022

Area of Science:

Structural biology
Virology
Drug discovery

Background:

Antiviral development has recently focused on structure determination and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 and picornaviruses.
The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is a successful target for antibodies and nanobodies, blocking viral entry.
Conserved viral proteins like main protease and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase are promising targets for broad-spectrum inhibitors.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent structure-based antiviral developments.
To highlight successful strategies targeting SARS-CoV-2 and picornaviruses.
To discuss the role of molecular modeling in antiviral drug discovery.

Main Methods:

Structure determination of viral proteins.
Inhibition studies of SARS-CoV-2 and picornaviruses.
Analysis of conserved viral protein structures and pockets.
Review of molecular modeling applications.

Main Results:

Successful targeting of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with antibodies and nanobodies.
Identification of druggable pockets in picornaviruses for inhibiting viral entry.
Exploration of reusing approved drugs for broad-spectrum antiviral inhibitors targeting conserved viral proteins.

Conclusions:

Structure-based drug design offers potent strategies against viral infections like SARS-CoV-2 and picornaviruses.
Targeting conserved viral proteins and entry mechanisms holds promise for broad-spectrum antivirals.
Molecular modeling complements experimental structure determination in advancing antiviral research.