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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
Summary
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.
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.
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