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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...
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...
What are Viruses?00:50

What are Viruses?

Overview
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...

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Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
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Viral Pleomorphism: How Virion Structure Guides Infection and Adaptation.

Edward A Partlow, Callie J Donahue, Balindile B Motsa1

  • 1Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA;

Annual Review of Virology
|June 18, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Viral pleomorphism, or variations in virion size and shape, is dynamic and adaptable. This characteristic enhances viral fitness and persistence across diverse infection environments, as seen in influenza and Mononegavirales viruses.

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Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus
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Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
11:28

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus

Published on: October 7, 2011

Correlative Light Electron Microscopy (CLEM) for Tracking and Imaging Viral Protein Associated Structures in Cryo-immobilized Cells
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Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus
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Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Published on: July 27, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Structural Biology
  • Infectious Disease Dynamics

Background:

  • Morphological variability (pleomorphism) in pathogenic enveloped viruses is a key feature, yet its biological significance remains challenging to understand.
  • Analyzing viral pleomorphism requires multi-scale structural and functional investigations, from molecular to population levels.
  • Technological advancements have enabled high-resolution measurements of viral dynamics, improving our understanding of pleomorphism in challenging samples.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and reassess the characterization of influenza virus pleomorphism over eight decades.
  • To explore the dynamic nature of virion shape as a characteristic influenced by the infection environment.
  • To compare pleomorphism in influenza virus with other viruses, particularly Mononegavirales, identifying shared and unique aspects.

Main Methods:

  • Review of foundational and subsequent research on influenza virus pleomorphism.
  • Analysis of virion morphology across different scales (molecular, cellular, animal, population).
  • Comparative analysis of pleomorphism in influenza virus and Mononegavirales.

Main Results:

  • Virion shape is not a fixed strain property but a dynamic trait influenced by the infection environment.
  • Viral pleomorphism is proposed to enhance viral fitness and facilitate persistence.
  • Shared and unique features of pleomorphism were identified between influenza virus and Mononegavirales.

Conclusions:

  • Viral pleomorphism is an adaptive characteristic that contributes to viral fitness and persistence.
  • Understanding pleomorphism requires integrating structural, functional, and environmental factors.
  • Emerging technologies are expected to provide further insights into the biology of viral pleomorphism.