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01.048. Paramyxoviridae

Cite this publication as: ICTVdB Management (2006). 01.048. Paramyxoviridae. In: ICTVdB - The Universal Virus Database, version 4. Büchen-Osmond, C. (Ed), Columbia University, New York, USA

Cite this site as: ICTVdB - The Universal Virus Database, version 4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ICTVdb/ICTVdB/

Table of Contents

Classification

This is a description of a vertebrate virus at the family level with data on all virus properties from morphology to genome, replication, antigenicity and biological properties.

ICTVdB Virus Code: 01.048. Virus accession number: 01048FAM. Obsolete virus code: 48.; superceded accession number: 48000000.
NCBI Taxon Identifier NCBI Taxonomy ID: 11158.

Name, Synonyms and Lineage

The taxon has the accepted ICTV name.

Synonym(s): Parainfluenza virus group. Virus is of the order 01. Mononegavirales.

Virion Properties

Morphology

Virions consist of an envelope, a nucleocapsid, and a matrix protein. During their life cycle, virions have an extracellular phase. Virus capsid is enveloped and mature naturally by budding through the membrane of the host cell; spherical to pleomorphic; filamentous and other forms are common. Virions measure (60-)150-200 nm in diameter; 1000-10000 nm in length. The envelope has surface projections. Surface projections are spaced widely apart, distinctive spikes of haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) glycoproteins covering evenly the surface; embedded in a lipid bilayer which is comprises hemagglutinin and neuraminidase (HN), or hemagglutinin (H), or surface glycoproteins (GP), or fusion proteins. Surface projections are homo-oligomers and form spike-like projections of 8-12 nm long; spaced 6-10 nm apart (depending on the genus). Capsid/nucleocapsid is elongated and exhibits helical symmetry. The nucleocapsid is filamentous, flexuous with a varying length with a length of 600-800(-1000) nm (depending on the genus) and a width of 13-18 nm. Basic helix is obvious. Pitch of helix is 5.5-7 nm (depending on the subfamily). The nucleocapsid is not segmented.
























Addtional electron micrograph of Paramyxoviridae can be viewed at the Picture Gallery.






















3D image of of Pneumovirus reconstruction originates from the University of Warwick, Pneumovirus Laboratory, UK.

Physicochemical and Physical Properties

The molecular mass (Mr) of virions is 500 x 106 (occassionally, multiploid virions are found with a greater Mr). Virions have a buoyant density in CsCl of 1.18-1.31 g cm-3; sucrose of 1.18-1.2 g cm-3. The sedimentation coefficient is at least 1000 S20w. Virions are sensitive to treatment with lipid solvents, non-ionic detergents, formaldehyde, oxidizing agents, heat (to the extreme).

Nucleic Acid

The Mr of the genome constitutes 0.5% of the virion by weight (; the Mr of the genome is 5-7 x 106). The genome is usually monomeric, or multiploid (sometimes, not segmented and contains a single molecule of linear negative-sense, single-stranded RNA. The genome is not infectious (by itself). Virions may also contain occasionally a positive sense single-stranded copy of the genome (thus, partial self-annealing of extracted RNA may occur). The complete genome is 15200-15900 nucleotides long. The RNA is sequenced and complete sequence is about 15200-15900 nucleotides long and encodes 7-9/9-11, namely three nucleocapsid-associated proteins (N or NP; P and L, three membrane-associated proteins, a matrix protein M and two envelope proteins (F and G, or H, or HN). The 5'-end of the negative-sense strand does not have a covalently attached terminal protein; genome does not have cap. The 3'-terminus has no poly (A) tract. Each virion contains a single copy of the genome; a full length copy (of RNA exclusively as nucleocapsid, or intracellularly).

GenBank records for nucleotide sequences; complete genome sequences.

Proteins

Proteins constitute about about 75-80% of the particle weight.

The viral genome encodes structural proteins and non-structural proteins. Virions consist of 6-7 structural protein(s) located in the nucleocapsid, envelope, membrane, and matrix. The viral envelope contains 2 integral membrane proteins.

Structural Proteins: Envelope protein F. Envelope protein has a function assigned; is a fusion protein. During post-translational processing envelope protein F is synthesizied within an infected cell, has been cleaved from the precursor protein (by cellular protease(s) to produce the virion disulfide-linked F1 and F2 subunits (amino F2-S-S-F1 carboxyl), during post-translational processing envelope protein modifications occur that include glycosylation, or disulfide cross-linking. Envelope protein G (Pneumovirus), or H (Morbilivirus), or HN (Paramyxovirus, has been sequenced, or a function assigned; is an attachment protein which possess(es) hemagglutination activity in all genera except Pneumovirus where it is called G protein. If the protein also contains neuraminidae activity as in the genus Paramyxovirus it is called HN; during post-translational processing envelope protein modifications occur that include glycosylation. Envelope protein has a molecular mass of 22000 Da. Envelope protein SH or A; is a small integral a membrane protein. Nucleocapsid protein N or NP has a molecular mass of about 50000 Da; is protecting of the genome; which possess(es) RNA-binding activity. Nucleocapsid protein P is found in the virion in about 10-fold greater abundance than protein L; has a molecular mass of 40000-60000 Da; is polymerase associated and has has possibly a template melting function; modifications during post-translational processes include phosphorylation. Nucleocapsid protein L is large and; is a putative polymerase; which possess(es) RNA catalyzing activity in connection with protein P. Matrix protein M is an unglycosylated inner membrane protein.

Non-Structural Proteins: Virus-coded non-structural proteins have been identified by sequence analysis and at least 6 non-structural protein(s) are found. The virus codes for enzymes. In addition to the polymerase, the virus codes for enzymes such as found variously expressed amomg the genera and include a RNA-dependent RNA transcriptase, adenylated transferase, mRNA guanylyl transferase, methyl-transferase, proteinase, and neuraminidase. The non-structural protein is associated with the membrane protein. Non-structural protein C. Non-structural protein NS1. Non-structural protein NS2. Non-structural protein V, a cystein rich protein,. Its role is zinc binding. Non-structural protein SH, a small integral membrane protein. Non-structural protein M2, formerly called 22-kDa. Its role is transcription processivity factor, which previously was thought to be a second M-like protein.

Lipids

Lipids are present and located in the envelope. Virions are composed of 20-25% lipids by weight. The composition of viral lipids and host cell membranes are similar. The lipids are of host origin and are derived from plasma membranes.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are found in virions; constitute 6% of virion dry weight; are present as glycoproteins; are N-linked glycans (side chains found in the fusion and attachment proteins), or O-linked glycosidic side chains (in the attachment protein G in the subfamily Pneumoviridae) and contain polylactosamine (in the SH protein of Respiratory syncytical virus). Carbohydrate composition in the virion is host-dependent.

Genome Organization and Replication

Virions attach to specific receptors located on the surface of cell membrane and enter host cells via fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell surface in an environment of neutral pH.

Transcription: The viral genome is transcribed processively from the 3' end by virion-associated enzymes.

The viral genome is transcribed by a viral associated enzymescanal is distinct; to 5-10 mRNA(s). The transcribed mRNAs are subgenomic in a viral-complementary sense. Transcription is guided by short (10-13 bp) conserved transcription start and termination/polyadenylation signals flanking each transcriptional element).

The 5' ends of mRNAs are capped. The 3' ends of mRNAs possess a poly (A) tract (synthesized by reiterative copying of the polyadenylation site). Intergenic regions of viral genome may vary in size and sequence between genera ((Rubulavirus, Pneumovirus) or are highly conserved in sequence and length (Respirovirus, Morbilivirus)).

Translation: The genome replicates in the cytoplasm. The parental genome does not serve as template. Replication is independent of host nuclear functions.

Replication cycle Accumulations of virions in vitro are sensitive to amantadine.

Assembly and Egress: Independently nucleocapsid.

Maturation: The mature virus is found in the respiratory tract; skin. In thin sections the mature virus is seen in crystalline arrays. Nucleocapsids are enveloped at sites containing virus capsid proteins.

Antigenicity

Antigenic determinants may be found on peplomers of envelope and correspond to each of the major structural glycoproteins; correspond to each of the major virion proteins attachment protein (HN, or H, or G) and fusion protein (F).

Biological Properties

Natural Host

Virus infects during its life cycle a single type of vertebrate host.
Domain
Viral hosts belong to the Domain Eucarya.

Domain Eucarya
Kingdom Animalia.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata.

Phylum Vertebrata
Subphylum Vertebrata.

Class almost exclusively Mammalia and Aves.

Class Mammalia Order Primates;
Family Hominidae.
Virus infects Homo sapiens (human).

General Symptoms in Animals Infection can affect the respiratory system.

Transmission and Vector Relationships

Virus is not transmitted by a vector in a direct manner.

Non-Vector Transmission: The likelihood of viral transmission by respiratory route (air-borne) is significant.

Experimental Hosts and Symptoms

Under experimental conditions the virus infects a braod host range.

Diagnostic Hosts

Virus has been propagated in cell culture.

Pathology

Virus can be best detected in respiratory tract.

Histopathology: Virions are found in the cytoplasm.

Geographical Distribution

The virus is probably distributed worldwide.

Taxonomic Structure of the Family

01.048.1. Paramyxovirinae
01.048.2. Pneumovirinae


(

In addition to three recognised viruses, namely Fer-de-Lance virus of reptiles (FDLV), the chiropteran Mapuera virus (MPRV), and the rodent Nariva virus (NARV), several viruses from penguins are known which are distinct from avian paramyxoviruses 1-9).

Data Sources and Contributions

The description has been compiled from data in the ICTV Report presented by Rima B, Alexander DJ, Billeter MA, Collins PL, Kingsbury DW, Lipkind MA, Nagai Y, Örvell C, Pringle CR, ter Meulen V.

References

The following generic references are cited in the most recent ICTV Report.

PubMed References. A World Wide Web tutorial on this virus is provided by the Virology Departments, University of Leicester, UK: (

Images

Taxon images: • diagram from ICTV guidelines. • EM from Stewart McNulty, Queens University, Belfast. • EM from Stewart McNulty, Queens University, Belfast. • 3D structure of Pneumovirus, University of Warwick, UK.



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DELTA - DEscription Language for TAxonomy developed by Dr Mike Dallwitz, Toni Paine and Eric Zurcher, CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia. ICTVdB - The Universal Virus Database, developed for the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses by Dr Cornelia Büchen-Osmond is written in DELTA. The virus descriptions in ICTVdB are coded by, or using data from experts in the field of virology or members ICTV. The character list is the underlying code. All virus descriptions are based on the character list and natural language translations are automatically generated and formatted for display on the Web from the descriptions in DELTA-format. The description has been generated automatically from DELTA files. DELTA - DEscription Language for TAxonomy developed by Dr Mike Dallwitz, Toni Paine and Eric Zurcher, CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia.

ICTVdB - The Universal Virus Database, developed for the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) by Dr Cornelia Büchen-Osmond, is written in DELTA. The virus descriptions in ICTVdB are coded by ICTV members and experts, or by the ICTVdB Management using data provided by the experts, the literature or the latest ICTV Report. The character list is the underlying code. All virus descriptions are based on the character list and natural language translations from the encoded descriptions are automatically generated and formatted for display on the Web.

Developer of the DELTA software: M. J. Dallwitz, T. Paine and E. Zurcher

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Last updated on 25 April 2006 by Cornelia Büchen-Osmond
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