The mechanism of encapsidation of the RNA genome of poliovirus and other picornaviruses is unknown. To test whether any of the putative assembly intermediates of poliovirus could interact directly with the poliovirus RNA genome, poliovirus RNA was attached to magnetic streptavidin beads and incubated with partially purified extracts containing 35S-labeled 14S pentamer and 75S empty-capsid subvi...

2A is an oligopeptide sequence mediating a ribosome 'skipping' effect, producing an apparent 'cleavage' of polyproteins. First identified and characterized in picornaviruses, '2A-like' sequences are found in other mammalian viruses and a wide range of insect viruses. Databases were analysed using a motif conserved amongst 2A/2A-like sequences. The newly identified 2A-like sequences (30 aa) were...

The genomic RNA 3' noncoding region is believed to be a major cis-acting molecular genetic determinant for regulating picornavirus negative-strand RNA synthesis by promoting replication complex recognition. We report the replication of two picornavirus RNAs harboring complete deletions of the genomic RNA 3' noncoding regions. Our results suggest that while specific 3'-terminal RNA sequences and...

We developed a rapid and sensitive method for the routine detection of all members of the enterovirus genus in different clinical specimens by using real-time TaqMan quantitative PCR. Multiple primer and probe sets were selected in the highly conserved 5'-untranslated region of the enterovirus genome. Our assay detected all 60 different enterovirus species tested, whereas no reactivity was obse...

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF) mediates cellular attachment for many human picornaviruses. In most cases, viral binding to DAF is itself insufficient to permit cell infectivity, with a second, functional internalization receptor being required to facilitate this process. Previously, we postulated that the role of DAF in enterovirus cell infection is as a sequestration receptor, maintaining a r...

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is small RNA from Picornaviridae family; genus Aphthovirus. FMDV causes maximum levels of infectivity in cattle and harmful socioeconomic effects. The present report attempted to design vaccine candidate the polyprotein stimulate protective immune response. IEDB server was used predict B T cells epitopes that were linked via GPGPG YAA linkers, respectively. M...

Human parechoviruses (HPeV), previously designated as echovirus 22 and 23, belong to the Parechovirus genus within the Picornaviridae family and has been designated HPeV 1 and 2 respectively.1 The HPeV genome organization and disease spectrum are similar to other viruses in the Picornaviridae family. HPeV have been frequently associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in children...

The function of Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) elements is intimately linked to their RNA structure. Viral IRES elements are organized in modular domains consisting of one or more stem-loops that harbor conserved RNA motifs critical for internal initiation of translation. A conserved motif is the pyrimidine-tract located upstream of the functional initiation codon in type I and II picornav...

The picornaviruses are a diverse group of viral pathogens that together comprise the most common causes of infection of humans in the developed world. Within the picornavirus family are three well-known groups of human pathogens--the rhinoviruses, the enteroviruses (including polioviruses, coxsackieviruses and echoviruses) and the hepatoviruses (including hepatitis A virus). This article will f...

The cross-species transmission of viruses from one host species to another is responsible for the majority of emerging infections. However, it is unclear whether some virus families have a greater propensity to jump host species than others. If related viruses have an evolutionary history of co-divergence with their hosts there should be evidence of topological similarities between the virus an...