How do poxviruses replicate?

The replication of poxvirus is unusual for a virus with double-stranded DNA genome because it occurs in the cytoplasm, although this is typical of other large DNA viruses. Poxvirus encodes its own machinery for genome transcription, a DNA dependent RNA polymerase, which makes replication in the cytoplasm possible.

How is Poxviridae acquired?

Tanapox is acquired by direct contact with infected non-human primates, and the infection cycle appears to be maintained between primates and mosquitoes. For molluscipox virus causing molluscum contagiosum, the distribution is worldwide, and it is not considered to be a tropical disease.

Do poxviruses replicate in the nucleus?

Poxviruses, a family of large DNA viruses, are unique among DNA viruses, because they carry out DNA replication in the cytoplasm rather than the nucleus.

Why do poxviruses still matter?

Therefore, poxviruses provide phenomenal scientific opportunities for investigators in the field of virology. Although poxviruses encode hundreds of genes, similar to other viruses, they still rely on host cells to complete their replication cycle and have complex interactions with their hosts.

Where does a poxvirus replicate in the cell?

Poxviruses are large, enveloped viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm and encode proteins for DNA replication and gene expression.

What kind of DNA does a poxvirus have?

Poxviruses have linear, double-stranded DNA genomes that vary from 130 to 230 kbp. As depicted in Fig. 2 A, the two DNA strands are connected at their termini and form a continuous polynucleotide chain ( Geshelin and Berns 1974; Baroudy et al. 1982a ).

Which is the prototype of the poxviral life cycle?

THE POXVIRAL LIFE CYCLE Poxviruses, of which vaccinia is the prototype, are complex DNA viruses that display an unusual degree of physical and genetic autonomy from the host cell.

Can a poxvirus infect a large number of animals?

Poxviruses and the evolution of host range and virulence Poxviruses as a group can infect a large number of animals. However, at the level of individual viruses, even closely related poxviruses display highly diverse host ranges and virulence.