EXPLANATION OF PICTURE
At upper right, incoming virus particles dock with the cell membrane using receptor
molecules. The genetic material (yellow
viral RNA) of the virus is then introduced
into the cell. The
viral RNA associates with ribosomes (the purple "beads"
on the
viral polysome) to produce
viral proteins. Some of these
viral
proteins act as enzymes, while others are used to make new viral capsids (the
outer protein coats of the virus).
Viral RNA also travels to the smooth endoplasmic
reticulum where it forms
replication complexes. Such
replication complexes
are associated with
new vesicles that form from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
Here,
new viral RNA is produced. Some will associate with ribosomes (to make
more
viral protein) and some will form the genomes of new virus particles
(
capsid assembly). The new virus particles collect together in large arrays
(
aggregation of new virus). Eventually, the cell is destroyed (
cell lysis)
causing a
release of new virus particles. For a more detailed description
at the molecular level, please check out the links above.
Foot and Mouth Disease is a major problem affecting many animals of agricultural importance. It is caused by several strains of virus that belong to the genus Aphthovirus. Along with other viruses, like Polio and Rhinovirus, Aphthoviruses belong to the family Picornaviridae. Picornaviruses are tiny viruses (27-30 nm across). They are non-enveloped with an icosahedral capsid and contain a single strand of positive sense RNA.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE VIRUS:
- GENOME: single stranded positive sense RNA
- Order: -
- Family: Picornaviridae
- Subfamily:
- Genus: Aphthovirus
- Species: Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV)
With many thanks to
Ed Rybicki for his help and advice. Visit his
introduction
to molecular virology and see the section on
RNA plant and animal virus replication and his page on
virus entry into animal cells .
Pig Health (FMDV NEWS from the United Kingdom)
United States Animal Health Association
Royal Agricultural College
Intracapsid hook and uncoating of enteroviruses
Institute of Animal Health
The European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
BIOME: The Hub for Internet Resources in the Health and Life Sciences. Their VETGATE section has information on Foot and Mouth and their BIORESEARCH section covers virology and molecular biology.
