17 Questions
What is the approximate genome size of the helical nucleocapsids with negative sense ssRNA genome?
~15-19kb
Where was the first outbreak of Marburg virus?
Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany
What is the most fatal type of Ebolavirus?
Zaire EBOV
How are Marburg and Ebola viruses likely transmitted to primates?
From fruit bats (zoonotic spread)
What is the Ebola virus genome composed of?
Negative-sense RNA
Where does Ebola virus replication occur?
Cytoplasm
Which proteins are packaged in the Ebola virus virion?
Nucleocapsid protein, RNA polymerase cofactor, and envelope glycoproteins
What is the function of Ebola virus glycoprotein (GP)?
Mediates attachment and entry into host cells by fusion
How does Ebola virus make two glycoproteins from the same gene?
$mRNA$ editing
What is the lethality rate of Ebola virus infections?
~90%
What is the function of sGP in Ebola virus infection?
Act as a decoy antigen
What is the potential role of minor nucleocapsid protein VP30 in Ebola virus?
Activating viral mRNA synthesis
Where is VP40, the most abundant viral protein, located?
Cytoplasmic side of plasma membrane and/or inner side of viral envelope
What is observed in those who survive Ebola virus infection?
Periodic spikes in EBOV antibodies occurring months after clinical resolution of symptoms
Why do scientists suggest vaccinating survivors of Ebola virus?
To boost protective antibody responses in survivors
What triggers outbreaks of disease recrudescence in survivors of Ebola virus?
Potential disease recrudescence triggered by latent infection
What does disrupting the stem-loop structure at the beginning of the NP gene lead to?
No dependence on VP30 for transcription
Study Notes
Ebola Virus Replication and Glycoprotein Synthesis
- Ebola virus lethality can be as high as 90%
- Filovirus infections among humans are limited to close contacts, such as family members and medical staff
- Ebola virus has a linear, negative sense, single-stranded RNA genome with seven genes
- Most Ebola virus proteins are packaged in the virion, including nucleocapsid protein (NP), RNA polymerase cofactor (VP35), and envelope glycoproteins (GP, GP1, GP2)
- Ebola virus makes additional secreted glycoproteins (sGP, delta-peptide)
- Ebola virus has mRNA editing, whereas Marburg virus does not
- Ebola virus replication occurs in the cytoplasm and involves the synthesis of antigenome RNA
- The cytoplasm of infected cells contains inclusion bodies containing viral nucleocapsid
- Ebola virus uses RNA editing to make two glycoproteins from the same gene: sGP and GP
- Ebola virus glycoprotein (GP) mediates attachment and entry into host cells by fusion
- GP mediates binding to multiple cellular receptors, including asialoglycoprotein receptor, folate receptor-alpha, integrin, and DC-Signs
- Replication-deficient pseudotypes are used to study which viral proteins bind to which cellular receptors
Test your knowledge on viral filamentous particles and the outbreaks of the Marburg virus. Learn about the characteristics and historical events related to these infectious agents.
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