Structural
Viral
Proteins
(Nucleocapsid
Proteins)
The capsids of viruses are made up entirely of proteins.
The capsid proteins enclose the nucleic acid and protect it from nucleases in biologic fluids.
The capsid also promotes attachment to susceptible cells. The virus cannot have too many genes to specify different protein types. Hence it is made up of many identical protein units or protomers.
Helical
capsids
usually
consist
of
a
single
protein
type.
Thus
the
TMV
consists
of
a
single
RNA
molecule
coated
by
a
single
type
of
polypeptide.
Icosahedral
capsids
may
have
one
or
several
types
of
proteins.
Adenoviruses
contain
at
least
14
protein
types.
Index >> Virus Structure and Classification >> Structural Viral Proteins - (Nucleocapsid Proteins)
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