Rhabdovirusesarevirusesbelonging
to thefamilyRhabdoviridae,
which is in theorderMononegavirales.
The name is derived from the Greekrhabdosmeaning
rod referring to the shape of the viral particles. Rhabdoviruses infect a broad
range of hosts throughout the animal and plant kingdom. Animal rhabdoviruses
infect insects, fish, and mammals, including humans.
Virology
Classification
Rhabdoviruses carry their genetic material in the form of negative-sense
single-strandedRNA. They typically
carry genes for five proteins: large protein (L), glycoprotein (G),
nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), and matrix protein (M). Rhabdoviruses
that infect vertebrates are bullet-shaped.
The following genera are included here:
Genus Cytorhabdovirus; type species: Lettuce necrotic yellows virus
Genus Dichorhabdovirus; type species: Orchid fleck virus
Genus Ephemerovirus; type species: Bovine ephemeral fever virus
Genus Lyssavirus; type species: Rabies virus
Genus Novirhabdovirus; type species: Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
Genus Nucleorhabdovirus; type species: Potato yellow dwarf virus
Genus Vesiculovirus; type species: Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus
In addition to the above, there are a large number of rhabdoviruses that have
not yet been assigned to a genus.
Replication
Replication of many rhabdoviruses occurs in
the cytoplasm, although several of the plant infecting viruses replicate in the
nucleus. In order for replication, both the L and P protein must be expressed to
regulate transcription. Transcription results in five monocistronic mRNAs being
produced because the intergenic sequences act as both termination and promotersequences
for adjacent genes. During their synthesis the mRNAs are processed to introduce
a 5' cap and a 3’ polyadenylated tail to each of the molecules. This structure
is homologous to cellular mRNAs and can thus be translated by cellular ribosomes to
produce both structural and non-structural proteins.
Genomic replication requires a source of newly synthesized N protein to
encapsidate the RNA. This occurs during its synthesis and results in the
production of a full length anti-genomic copy. This in turn is used to produce
more negative-sense genomic RNA. The viral polymerase is required for this
process, but how the polymerase engages in both mRNA synthesis and genomic
replication is not well understood.
Replication characteristically occurs in an inclusion body within the cytoplasm,
from where they bud through various cytoplasmic membranes and the outer membrane
of the cell. This process results in the acquisition of the M + G proteins,
responsible for the characteristic bullet- shaped morphology of the virus.
Prototypical Rhabdoviruses
The prototypical and best studied rhabdovirus is vesicular stomatitis virus.
Since it is easy to grow in the laboratory, it is a preferred model system to
study the biology of Rhabdoviruses, and Mononegavirales in general.The mammalian disease Rabies is
caused by Lyssavirus, of which several strains have been identified.
Rhabdoviruses are important pathogens of animals and plants. Rhabdoviruses
include RaV (Rabies virus), VSV (Vesicular stomatitis virus). Rhabdoviruses are
transmitted to hosts by arthropods, such as aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers,
black flies, sandflies, and mosquitoes.
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