Encyclopedia
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) virion structure and genome organization. VSV encodes five structural proteins: nucleocapsid (N), phospho- (P), matrix (M), glyco- (G), and large (L) proteins. The VSV genome is arranged in the order 3’-(leader), N, P, M, G, L, (trailer)-5’. [1]
Wikimedia Commons, Jianrong Li and Yu Zhang
02 Apr 2024
Plaque and TEM morphology of phages. (A) Plaque morphologies of phage SH-Ab 15519, SH-Ab 15497, SH-Ab 15708, and SH-Ab 15599. Scale bar, 1 cm. (B) TEM morphology of phage SH-Ab 15519, SH-Ab 15497, SH-Ab 15708, and SH-Ab 15599. Phages were negatively stained with potassium phosphotungstate. Scale bar, 100 nm. [1]
Wikimedia Commons, Yunfen Hua, Tingting Luo, Yiqi Yang, Dong Dong, Rui Wang, Yanjun Wang, Mengsha Xu, Xiaokui Guo, Fupin Hu, Ping He
08 Apr 2024
Viewing a bird bone through an electron microscope reveals an intricate and lightweight structure, optimized for flight. The bone's internal composition is a complex lattice of trabeculae—thin, rod-like structures that provide strength while minimizing weight. This spongy or cancellous bone is filled with air pockets, reducing the overall density and making the bone both strong and light. The outer surface is covered with a dense layer of compact bone, providing additional rigidity. The fine details visible at the electron microscope level, including the collagen fibers and mineral crystals, illustrate how bird bones achieve a perfect balance between strength and lightness, essential for avian flight.
09 Aug 2024
Genome organisation of Bellinger River virus. Diagrammatic representation of Bellinger River virus genome organisation and expression based on a comparison with the genome organisation for other viruses in the proposed barnivirus genus. ORFs are represented by boxes with the number above. The putative encoded protein acronyms are included within the boxes. pp1a, polyprotein 1a; pp1b, polyprotein 1b; S, spike protein; mM1, minor membrane protein 1; M, membrane protein; N, nucleoprotein; mM2, minor membrane protein 2; gP, glycoprotein; Hel, helicase; RdRp, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and Mpro, main proteinase.
Wikimedia Commons, Jing Zhang, Deborah S. Finlaison, Melinda J. Frost, Sarah Gestier, Xingnian Gu, Jane Hall, Cheryl Jenkins, Kate Parrish, Andrew J. Read, Mukesh Srivastava, Karrie Rose, Peter D. Kirkland
24 Jan 2024
Equine ear plaques, also recognized as papillary acanthoma or ear papillomas, stem from papillomavirus infection. Presently, four distinct papillomaviruses have been identified in ear plaques. Black flies (Simulium spp) are presumed to be the mechanical carriers, predominantly active during dawn and dusk, targeting horses' heads, ears, and ventral abdomens.
Wikimedia Commons, Visenna
02 Feb 2024
Schematic drawing of a Enterobacteria phage P22 virion (cross section and side view). Non-enveloped, head-tail structure. The capsid is about 60-65 nm in diameter, with a T=7 laevo icosahedral symmetry. The tail is non-contractile, has 6 prominent tail spikes.
ViralZone, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Wikimedia Commons
07 Feb 2024
This image revealed the presence of both the human T-cell leukemia type-1 virus (HTLV-1), (also known as the human T lymphotropic virus type-1 virus), and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1), a human oncoretrovirus, is the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia, and of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1–associated myelopathy. Two closely related retroviruses, HIV-1 and HIV-2, have been identified as causing AIDS in different geographic regions. HIV-1 causes most cases of AIDS in the U.S., with only a few cases of HIV-2 having been found in the U.S. Epidemiologically, HIV-2 has been found to be mostly an infection of persons from West Africa.
Public Health Image Library (PHIL), Wikimedia Commons
22 Feb 2024
Oat mosaic virus induces a disease in autumn-sown oats, with symptoms dependent on oat cultivar, virus strain, soil infestation level, and environmental factors. Mottling symptoms peak during the initial spring growth but fade with subsequent growth and warmer temperatures. Late in the season, stunting becomes prominent. In heavily infested soil, yields can drop by 25 to 50% in tolerant cultivars, while most plants of highly susceptible cultivars fail to produce grain.
Wikimedia Commons, Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series , Bugwood.org
23 Feb 2024
Norepinephrine binds the α1 adrenoceptor, resulting in Gq/11 activation and opening of the calcium (Ca2+) channel. Thus cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration increases. In addition, Gq/11 induced inositol triphosphate (IP3) production which binds to IP3 receptors on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), resulting in the release of Ca2+ from SR. Free Ca2+ then binds to calmodulin (CaM) and phosphorylates myosin light chain (MLC), which leads to vasoconstriction. In addition, activation of the α1 adrenoceptor can lead to the activation of Rho kinase and protein kinase C (PKC), which results in Ca2+ sensitization by phosphorylating and inhibiting MLC phosphatase. DAG, diacylglycerol; P, phosphate; PLC, phospholipase C [1].
28 Feb 2024
The overall structure of grouper nervous necrosis virus (GNNV). Surface domain-colored diagram (left) and central cavity (right) representations of the T = 3 GNNV-LP. The tip-to-tip distance is ~350 Å, the diameter of the central cavity is ~228 Å, and the spike protrusion on the capsid surface is ~47 Å. The S-domains of the subunits A, B and C are shown in orange, blue and red, respectively, and the P-domains are shown in cyan. The structure of the GNNV-LP is viewed along the I2, I3 and I5 axes. [1]
Nai-Chi Chen, Masato Yoshimura, Hong-Hsiang Guan, Ting-Yu Wang, Yuko Misumi, Chien-Chih Lin, Phimonphan Chuankhayan, Atsushi Nakagawa, Sunney I. Chan, Tomitake Tsukihara, Tzong-Yueh Chen, Chun-Jung Chen
13 Mar 2024
Electron micrographs of Bellinger River nidovirus particles in culture supernatant of infected CV-1 cells. (Scale bar = 100 nm).[1]
Wikimedia Commons
25 Jan 2024
The UL76 viral protein induces chromosomal aberrations. The IE1 viral protein increases telomerase activity. IE1, IE2, pUL36, pUL37, and pUL38 viral proteins are anti-apoptotic proteins that promote immortalization of tumor cells. IE1, pUL16, pUL18, pUS11, pp65, pp71 viral proteins are involved in immune escape from the immune system and increase resistance to tumor immunity. The IE1, IE2, and US28 viral proteins are putative oncogenes that are presumed to function as oncogenes. The IE1, IE2, US28, pUL97, and pp65 viral proteins are viral counter proteins against tumor suppressors and inhibit the suppression of carcinogenesis.
Wikimedia Commons, Herbein G, Kumar A
01 Feb 2024
Schematic drawing of a virion of the family Adenoviridae, cross section and side view. Non-enveloped capsid with a pseudo T=25 icosahedral symmetry. The capsid diameter is about 90 nm. The capsid shell consists of 720 hexon subunits arranged as 240 trimers and 12 vertex penton capsomers each with a fiber protruding from the surface.
ViralZone, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Wikimedia Commons
07 Feb 2024
Tyrosine is converted by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) to dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), and the latter is converted by DOPA decarboxylase to dopamine in the cytoplasm. Dopamine is converted by dopamine β-hydroxylase to norepinephrine in the vesicles. In the adrenal medulla, norepinephrine is converted by phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) to epinephrine.
27 Feb 2024
Extensions from the elastin link to integrin receptors on the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) surface. The integrin receptors link the contractile actin and myosin filaments inside the cells, thus forming the VSMC-elastin-contractile unit. An increase in intracellular Ca2+ activates the contractile unit, leading to contraction. The effect of Ca2+ is mediated by calmodulin, MLC kinase, and phosphorylated MLC. On the other hand, activation of sGC leads to relaxation of the contractile unit. The effect of sGC is mediated by cGMP, PRKG1, and MLC phosphatase. CaM, calmodulin; cGMP, cyclic guanosine monophosphate; EMILIN1, elastin microfibril interfacer protein 1; MAGP, microfibril-associated glycoprotein; MHC, myosin heavy chain; MLC, myosin light chain; p, phosphate group; PK, protein kinase; PRKG1, type 1 cGMP-dependent protein kinase; sGC, soluble guanylate cyclase; VSMC, vascular smooth muscle cell. [1]
29 Feb 2024
Symptoms of onion yellow dwarf virus (Potyvirus OYDV).
Ed Kurtz, Bugwood.org, Wikimedia Commons
14 Mar 2024
Antigenic drift is the process by which the flu virus genetically mutates, producing new virus strains that may not be recognozed by the body's immune system.
Wikimedia Commons, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
25 Jan 2024
Pathogen: Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV).
Wikimedia Commons
31 Jan 2024
Replacing A/WSN/22 region of Influenza A genome - which encodes for Hemagglutinin (HA) - for the sequence of Renilla luciferase. Infected cells will show luminiscence.
Wikimedia Commons, Albert.Caballeria
01 Feb 2024
Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) The whitish color may be due to spider mites feeding injury Photograph by Khushal Solanki.
Wikimedia Commons, Plant pests and diseases
15 Mar 2024
