The Big Picture Book of Viruses

The Big Picture Book of Viruses: Herpesviridae

ICTVdB Description:

Taxonomy:

Taxonomic structure of the family.
Subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, Genera : Simplexvirus, Varicellovirus
Subfamily Betaherpesvirinae, Genera : Cytomegalovirus, Muromegalovirus, Roseolovirus
Subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae, Genera : Lymphocryptovirus, Rhadinovirus
Unclassified viruses: 48 known.

Host:

Virus infects vertebrates.

Genome:

Virions contain one molecule of linear double stranded DNA. Total genome length is 120000-220000 nt. Guanine + cytosine ratio 35-75 %.

Morphology:

Virions enveloped; slightly pleomorphic; spherical; 120-200 nm in diameter. Surface projections of envelope distinct; spikes; dispersed evenly over all the surface. Nucleocapsids isometric. Nucleocapsid surrounded by the tegument that consists of globular material which is frequently asymmetrically distributed and may be variable in amount. Nucleocapsids sometimes penetrated by stain (although intact envelope impermeable to stain); 100-110 nm in diameter. Symmetry icosahedral. Nucleocapsids appear to be angular. Surface capsomer arrangement obvious. 162 capsomers per nucleocapsid (capsomeres hexagonal in cross-section with a hole running half-way down the long axis). Core consists of a fibrillar spool on which the DNA is wrapped. The ends of the fibers are anchored to the underside of the capsid shell. Incomplete virus particles often present; they are capsids lacking the envelope.

(Note: for more information about the taxonomy and structure of this virus family, see the ICTV database below.)

More Information about Herpesviruses:

Taxonomy: ICTVdB Data Books: Amazon.com

WWW Sites: ATV Sites! Viral Genomes: Entrez

Tutorials: Available! Viral Genes: Genbank

News Articles: From Yahoo! Medical Research Articles: MEDLINE

Herpesviridae Images:

EM Images Example Virus Name Description of Image

Uncategorized Images

Herpesvirus an example herpesvirus image from the ICTVdB

Human Herpes Virus Electron Micrograph -- the bar represents 100 nm. From Dr Hans Ackermann, Department of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Laval Universityj, Quebec, Canada.

Categorized Images

Sub-Family : Alphaherpesvirus

Genus : Simplexvirus

Herpes Simplex Virus A graphic showing the assembly of VP26 in HSV-1 inferred from structures of wild-type and recombinant capsids. From Dr. Z. Hong Zhou, Dept of Pathology at the University of Texas, Houston.

Herpes Simplex 1: 26 Å map of HSV-1 A capsid reconstructed from 140 particles selected from 400-kV spot-scan electron micrographs of the A-capsids of HSV-1 embedded in vitreous ice. The top inserts show a computationally isolated hexon (blue), penton (yellow) and triplex (pink). From Dr. Z. Hong Zhou, Dept of Pathology at the University of Texas, Houston.

Herpes Simplex Virus Herpes simplex virus-1 B-capsid reconstruction at 13 resolution. The map is colored coded according to the radius. From Dr. Z. Hong Zhou, Dept of Pathology at the University of Texas, Houston.

Herpes simplex virus An electron microscopic image of herpes simplex virus from the Glorioso Lab at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Herpesvirus (entire particle) solved by cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction -- from the Institute of Molecular Virology at the University of Wisconsin.

Human herpesvirus Two herpes virus particles are shown; they were prepared for transmission electron microscopy by the negative stain technique from the Wadsworth Center of the New York State Department of Health.

Human herpesvirus from Linda Stannard, of the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town

Herpes simplex virus Herpes simplex virus, the causative agent of fever blisters. Thin section of virus particles as they leave the nucleus of an infected cell. Herpes simplex virus infection becomes latent, that is it becomes invisible after a fever blister episode, but the virus persists, in ganglia at the floor of the brain, where when conditions are right it can re-emerge. Magnification approx x40,000. Micrograph from F. A. Murphy, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis.

Human herpesvirus from Linda Stannard, of the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town

Human herpesvirus from Linda Stannard, of the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town

Human herpesvirus showing 5-fold axis from Linda Stannard, of the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town

Human herpesvirus The glycoprotein B (gB) is clearly visible in clusters of spikes of approximately 10 nm length. Between the capsid and the envelope is an ill-defined layer of proteins, collectively known as the tegument. Image Courtesy of Linda Stannard, of the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town

Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Herpes Simplex Virus-1 on a blood lymphocyte. Viral particles seen by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at a magnification of 190,920x). This image is from Dennis Kunkel's excellent Microscopy Science and Photography Through a Microscope web site.

Herpes Simplex Virus-1 A-capsid from 400kV Spot-scan Electron Cryomicroscopy -- from the Institute of Molecular Virology at the University of Wisconsin.

Genus : Varicellovirus

Human herpesvirus 3 (varicella-zoster virus 1) From Stewart McNulty at Veterinary Sciences, Queen's University, Belfast.

Human herpesvirus 3 (varicella-zoster virus 1) Electron micrograph -- the bar represents 100 nm. Enveloped capsids and empty envelopes are seen. Image by Dr Frank Fenner, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

Human herpesvirus 3 (varicella-zoster virus 1) Electron micrograph -- the bar represents 100 nm. Naked capsids are seen. Image by Dr Frank Fenner, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

Equine Herpesvirus-1 Deenveloped EHV-1 nucleocapsids after residual tegument has been removed during centrifugation. This image is from ATV's EHV-1 page by Steven K. Vernon, of Wyeth-Ayerst Research

Sub-Family : Betaherpesvirus

Genus : Cytomegalovirus

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV, Human Herpesvirus 5) replication cycle cartoon Glycoprotein B (gpUL55) mediated morphogenesis of infectious HCMV particles in a replication cycle cartoon.
This graphic was produced by the human cytomegalovirus study group and Dr. Marko Reschke in Marburg, Germany.

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV, Human Herpesvirus 5) cartoon This graphic was produced by the human cytomegalovirus study group and Dr. Marko Reschke in Marburg, Germany.

Cytomegalovirus cartoon From the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Cytomegalovirus virion structure cartoon Created by students as a virology course project (Professor D.G. Harnish) in the Department of Biology, McMaster University, Canada.

Genus : Muromegalovirus

N/A Mouse cytomegalovirus 1

Genus : Roseolovirus

N/A Human Herpesvirus 6

Sub-Family : Gammaherpesvirus

Genus : Lymphocryptovirus

N/A Human herpesvirus 4

Genus : Rhadinovirus

N/A Ateline herpesvirus 2

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Established 5/95.

Herpesviridae Images:
EM Images	Example Virus Name	Description of Image
Uncategorized Images
	Herpesvirus	an example herpesvirus image from the ICTVdB
	Human Herpes Virus	Electron Micrograph -- the bar represents 100 nm. From Dr Hans Ackermann, Department of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Laval Universityj, Quebec, Canada.
Categorized Images
Sub-Family : Alphaherpesvirus
Genus : Simplexvirus
	Herpes Simplex Virus	A graphic showing the assembly of VP26 in HSV-1 inferred from structures of wild-type and recombinant capsids. From Dr. Z. Hong Zhou, Dept of Pathology at the University of Texas, Houston.
	Herpes Simplex 1:	26 Å map of HSV-1 A capsid reconstructed from 140 particles selected from 400-kV spot-scan electron micrographs of the A-capsids of HSV-1 embedded in vitreous ice. The top inserts show a computationally isolated hexon (blue), penton (yellow) and triplex (pink). From Dr. Z. Hong Zhou, Dept of Pathology at the University of Texas, Houston.
	Herpes Simplex Virus	Herpes simplex virus-1 B-capsid reconstruction at 13 resolution. The map is colored coded according to the radius. From Dr. Z. Hong Zhou, Dept of Pathology at the University of Texas, Houston.
	Herpes simplex virus	An electron microscopic image of herpes simplex virus from the Glorioso Lab at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
	Herpesvirus	(entire particle) solved by cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction -- from the Institute of Molecular Virology at the University of Wisconsin.
	Human herpesvirus	Two herpes virus particles are shown; they were prepared for transmission electron microscopy by the negative stain technique from the Wadsworth Center of the New York State Department of Health.
	Human herpesvirus	from Linda Stannard, of the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town
	Herpes simplex virus	Herpes simplex virus, the causative agent of fever blisters. Thin section of virus particles as they leave the nucleus of an infected cell. Herpes simplex virus infection becomes latent, that is it becomes invisible after a fever blister episode, but the virus persists, in ganglia at the floor of the brain, where when conditions are right it can re-emerge. Magnification approx x40,000. Micrograph from F. A. Murphy, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis.
	Human herpesvirus	from Linda Stannard, of the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town
	Human herpesvirus	from Linda Stannard, of the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town
	Human herpesvirus showing 5-fold axis	from Linda Stannard, of the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town
	Human herpesvirus	The glycoprotein B (gB) is clearly visible in clusters of spikes of approximately 10 nm length. Between the capsid and the envelope is an ill-defined layer of proteins, collectively known as the tegument. Image Courtesy of Linda Stannard, of the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town
	Herpes Simplex Virus-1	Herpes Simplex Virus-1 on a blood lymphocyte. Viral particles seen by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at a magnification of 190,920x). This image is from Dennis Kunkel's excellent Microscopy Science and Photography Through a Microscope web site.
	Herpes Simplex Virus-1	A-capsid from 400kV Spot-scan Electron Cryomicroscopy -- from the Institute of Molecular Virology at the University of Wisconsin.
Genus : Varicellovirus
	Human herpesvirus 3 (varicella-zoster virus 1)	From Stewart McNulty at Veterinary Sciences, Queen's University, Belfast.
	Human herpesvirus 3 (varicella-zoster virus 1)	Electron micrograph -- the bar represents 100 nm. Enveloped capsids and empty envelopes are seen. Image by Dr Frank Fenner, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
	Human herpesvirus 3 (varicella-zoster virus 1)	Electron micrograph -- the bar represents 100 nm. Naked capsids are seen. Image by Dr Frank Fenner, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
	Equine Herpesvirus-1	Deenveloped EHV-1 nucleocapsids after residual tegument has been removed during centrifugation. This image is from ATV's EHV-1 page by Steven K. Vernon, of Wyeth-Ayerst Research
Sub-Family : Betaherpesvirus
Genus : Cytomegalovirus
	Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV, Human Herpesvirus 5) replication cycle cartoon	Glycoprotein B (gpUL55) mediated morphogenesis of infectious HCMV particles in a replication cycle cartoon. This graphic was produced by the human cytomegalovirus study group and Dr. Marko Reschke in Marburg, Germany.
	Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV, Human Herpesvirus 5) cartoon	This graphic was produced by the human cytomegalovirus study group and Dr. Marko Reschke in Marburg, Germany.
	Cytomegalovirus cartoon	From the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin at Madison.
	Cytomegalovirus virion structure cartoon	Created by students as a virology course project (Professor D.G. Harnish) in the Department of Biology, McMaster University, Canada.
Genus : Muromegalovirus
N/A	Mouse cytomegalovirus 1
Genus : Roseolovirus
N/A	Human Herpesvirus 6
Sub-Family : Gammaherpesvirus
Genus : Lymphocryptovirus
N/A	Human herpesvirus 4
Genus : Rhadinovirus
N/A	Ateline herpesvirus 2