Herpesviruses

Cytomegaloviruses: From Molecular Pathogenesis to Intervention (Vol. 1)

Edited by: Matthias J. Reddehase

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Herpesviruses

Adapted from Streblow et al. in Cytomegaloviruses
Herpesviruses: The herpesvirus family encompasses a group of large complex enveloped viruses that are 150nm to 300nm in size and are ubiquitous in almost every species of animal in nature. The human herpesviruses constitute some of the most important known human viral pathogens. Herpesviruses are grouped together based on virion structure that includes a capsid that contains a large double-stranded linear DNA, a tegument composed of phosphoproteins that surrounds the capsid and an envelope that contains multiple glycoprotein complexes that are the receptors of the virus. Subfamilies of the herpesviruses are based on biological properties and structure of the viral genome and include the alpha, beta, and gamma viruses. The sequence of almost all of the human herpesviruses is known, however, the viral and cellular proteins that compose an infectious virion are unknown.