Showing papers on "Virus classification published in 1983"
01 Jan 1983
TL;DR: Attempts to classify viruses were initially based on their morphology, although analyses of the nature of the viral genomes provided another method for classification based on the type of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), the properties of the nucleic acids, and molecular weight.
Abstract: With the accumulation of information on the morphology of virus particles (virions), their chemical composition, and the nature of their nucleic acid it became evident that viruses differ markedly from each other. Viruses with the same structure and morphology were isolated from a variety of hosts which included bacteria, fungi, plants, insects, and both lower and higher forms of vertebrates. Attempts to classify viruses were initially based on their morphology, although analyses of the nature of the viral genomes provided another method for classification based on the type of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), the properties of the nucleic acid (double- or single-stranded), and molecular weight. To obtain a system of classification acceptable to all virologists, an International Committee on Nomenclature of Viruses (ICNV) (subsequently changed to International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses [ICTV]) was elected. Expert subcommittees dealt with vertebrate viruses, invertebrate viruses, plant viruses, and bacterial viruses.
5 citations
01 Jan 1983
TL;DR: The name of Coronavirus has been given to designate the pattern of the club-like peplomers that radiate from the envelope to shed light upon the interaction between virus nucleic acid and capsid protein.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the studies on morphology of virus particles and their classification. The composition of a conventional virus can be described as follows. Centrally, the particle contains nucleic acid of varying quantity. This nucleic acid is either RNA or DNA but never both kinds simultaneously. Only certain non-enveloped virions can be crystallized. The availability of viral crystals has facilitated three-dimensional analyses by aid of X-ray diffraction. Through earlier studies, it has been possible to shed light upon the interaction between virus nucleic acid and capsid protein. A single-stranded nucleic acid can direct the synthesis of a protein that has a size corresponding to about 1/7 of its molecular weight. Nature generally utilizes symmetrical building principles in the construction of more comprehensive three-dimensional structures. The name of Coronavirus has been given to designate the pattern of the club-like peplomers that radiate from the envelope.
3 citations
01 Jan 1983
TL;DR: Since animal viruses are intracellular obligate parasites of vertebrates and invertebrates, in order to evolve in different hosts they had to maintain a balance between virulence in the host and the ability of the host to survive.
Abstract: Since animal viruses are intracellular obligate parasites of vertebrates and invertebrates, in order to evolve in different hosts they had to maintain a balance between virulence in the host and the ability of the host to survive. When a virus is transmitted from one animal to another of the same species, the virulence remains unchanged, but when the same virus is transmitted from its natural host to a new species, the virulence may increase markedly due to the upset in ecological balance. Also when a virus is introduced into the same species in a new geographical location, an epidemic may ensue. All virus families display such changes in virulence. With the spread of colonization, new viruses infected people for the first time.