Poliovirus
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| Poliovirus | ||||||||
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Description and significance
Poliovirus was first isolated by Karl Landersteiner and Erwin Popper in 1909.
Polioviruses are enteroviruses which are RNA viruses that are stable and survive in under acidic conditions.
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.
Genome structure
Poliovirus is made up of a RNA genome and a protein capsid. The genome is a single-strnded positive-sense RNA genome and it is approximately 7500 nucleotides long. The viral component is about 300 Angstrom in diameter with icosahdral symmetry. Polio virus is commonly known as the simplest significant virus because of its short genome and simple composition.
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
Poliovirus causes the viral disease, poliomyelitis. Poliomyelitis is an extremely infectious disease. Humans are the exclusive natural host for poliovirus. It cannot naturally infect other species. The virus takes over the nervous system and cause paralysis in hours. Poliovirus enters the body through the mouth and replicates in the intestine. Once the vius remains stable in the intestine, it can enter the blood stream and pass onto the central nervous system. As poliovirus replicates, it damages motor neurons which inactivates muscles. The damage of the motor neurons are irreversible and can cause a condition known as acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) which affects the limbs. Paralysis involving the trunk and muscles of the thorax and abdomen can result in quadriplegia. For bulbar polio, a more severe case of polio, poliovirus attacks the motor neurons of the brain stem which cause difficulty in swallowing and speaking. Without respiratory support, bulbar polio can lead to death.
In countries with poor sanitation, poliovirus can be spread to others by faeces of people who are infected by the virus. It can also infect vaccinated people; they will not develop polio, but can carry this virus in their gastrointestinal tract and pass it on to others.
Symptoms of individuals who are infected include fever, headache, vomitting, stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs. Poliovirus can also lead to paralysis, usually in the legs. Some people infected with this virus do not have any symptoms and aren't aware they have been infected.
There is no known cure for poliomyelitis.
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poliovirus
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ICTVdb/ICTVdB/00.052.0.01.001.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?lvl=0&id=12080
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10618373
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9A03E2D81739F933A1575AC0A963948260
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/229/4720/1358