Genetic variability of adenoviruses.

TLDR: A wide genetic variation is expressed within the group of human adenoviruses, and a different typespecific antigenic determinant is detected by the hemagglutination-inhibition test.

Abstract: Adenoviruses have been isolated from numerous species of placental mammals, marsupials, birds, and amphibians.', \" The adenoviruses have the same general structure: an outer capsid with 240 nonvertex hexon capsomers (polypeptide 11), 12 vertex pentonbase capsomers (polypeptide I I I ) , one or two fiber vertex projections (polypeptide IV) , and four connecting proteins (polypeptides IIIa, VI, VIII, and IX). It has been proposed that polypeptide IIIa is located at the peripentonal region. whereas polypeptide VI forms the interior surface of the ~ a p s i d . ~ The DNA-protein core contains polypeptides V and VII, and the linear duplex DNA with a molecular weight of 21-25 megadaltons. Thirty-five different serotypes of human adenoviruses have been recognized:' The type-specific antigens that define the human adenovirus serotypes are localized on hexons and measured in neutralization tests. A different typespecific antigenic determinant. localized on the tip of the fiber, is detected by the hemagglutination-inhibition test. In addition to the recognized serotypes, serological intermediates are frequently encountered.\" This indicates that a wide genetic variation is expressed within the group of human adenoviruses.