ARS | Publication request: Calciviruses

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: August 22, 2011
Publication Date: November 15, 2011
Citation: Neill, J.D. 2011. Caliciviruses. In: eLS. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Available: http://www.els.net/WileyCDA/ElsArticle/refId-a0001013.html.

Technical Abstract: The Caliciviridae is a family of small, nonenveloped viruses containing a single-stranded, plus-sense genomic ribonucleic acid (RNA) that is polyadenylated at its 3’-end. Most, but not all, caliciviruses have distinctive cup-shaped depressions (L. calix, cup) on their surface, giving them their characteristic ‘Star of David’ appearance by negative stain electron microscopy. The calicivirus nonstructural proteins are encoded in the 5’ end of the genomic RNA and the structural proteins in the 3’ end. The identity of several of the nonstructural proteins was made based on amino acid sequence similarities with other virus families. The caliciviruses encode a single capsid protein that forms the outer shell of the virus particle. These viruses have a large and diverse host range and cause diseases of both human and veterinary importance.