POLYOMAVIRIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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Polyomaviridae is a family of small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that infect vertebrates, including mammals and birds. The name "polyomavirus" is derived from the Greek word "poly" meaning many, as these viruses were initially discovered to cause multiple tumors in experimental animals.
Members of the Polyomaviridae family are characterized by their icosahedral capsid structure, which protects the viral genome consisting of circular DNA. These viruses have a small genome size, typically ranging from 4-6 kilobases. They infect host cells by binding to specific cell surface receptors and enter the cell by endocytosis.
Polyomaviridae viruses have been found in a wide range of species, with each virus showing a high degree of species specificity. They usually establish persistent or latent infections in their natural hosts, often residing in specific tissues such as the kidney, respiratory tract, or skin, without causing disease. However, under certain conditions, these viruses can reactivate and cause diseases such as pneumonia, nephritis, or cancer in their susceptible hosts.
Human polyomaviruses, including BK virus and JC virus, are the most extensively studied members of the Polyomaviridae family. These viruses are highly prevalent in the human population and usually remain asymptomatic in healthy individuals. However, they can cause severe complications in immunocompromised individuals, such as kidney failure or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
In conclusion, Polyomaviridae is a family of small DNA viruses that infect a broad range of vertebrates. They have a small genome size, establish persistent infections, and can cause diseases in susceptible hosts.
Common Misspellings for POLYOMAVIRIDAE
- oolyomaviridae
- lolyomaviridae
- -olyomaviridae
- 0olyomaviridae
- pilyomaviridae
- pklyomaviridae
- pllyomaviridae
- pplyomaviridae
- p0lyomaviridae
- p9lyomaviridae
- pokyomaviridae
- popyomaviridae
- pooyomaviridae
- poltomaviridae
- polgomaviridae
- polhomaviridae
- poluomaviridae
- pol7omaviridae
- pol6omaviridae
- polyimaviridae
Etymology of POLYOMAVIRIDAE
The word "Polyomaviridae" has its etymology derived from two main components: "polyoma" and "viridae".
1. "Polyoma": The term "Polyoma" was derived from the Greek words "poly" meaning "many" and "oma" meaning "tumor". It was originally coined in 1952 by virologist Ludwik Gross to describe a group of viruses that were found to cause cancers, specifically tumors in mice. The name "Polyoma" reflects the ability of these viruses to induce multiple tumors in infected organisms.
2. "Viridae": The suffix "-viridae" is derived from the Latin word "virus", which means "poison". In virology, the suffix "-viridae" is used to denote a family of viruses.
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