Chordopoxvirinae

The Chordopoxvirinae are a subfamily of viruses in the family Poxviridae. Humans, vertebrates, and arthropods serve as natural hosts. Currently, 38 species are placed in this subfamily, divided among 10 genera. Diseases associated with this subfamily include smallpox. Four genera in this subfamily contain species that infect humans: Molluscipoxvirus, Orthopoxvirus, Parapoxvirus, and Yatapoxvirus. The virions are generally enveloped though the intracellular mature virion form of the virus, which contains a different envelope, and is also infectious. They vary in their shape depending upon the species, but are generally shaped like a brick or as an oval form similar to a rounded brick because they are wrapped by the endoplasmic reticulum. The virion is exceptionally large, around 200 nm in diameter and 300 nm in length, and carries its genome in a single, double-stranded segment of DNA. Genomes are linear, around 130-375kb in length. Viral replication is cytoplasmic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by attachment of the viral proteins to host glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which mediate endocytosis of the virus into the host cell. Fusion with the plasma membrane releases the core into the host cytoplasm. In the early phase, early genes are transcribed in the cytoplasm by viral RNA polymerase. Early expression begins at 30 minutes postinfection. The core is completely uncoated as early expression ends, the viral genome is then free in the cytoplasm. In the intermediate phase, intermediate genes are expressed, triggering genomic DNA replication about 100 minutes after infection. In the late phase, late genes are expressed from 140 min to 48 hours postinfection, producing all structural proteins. Assembly of progeny virions starts in cytoplasmic viral factories, producing a spherical, immature particle. This virus particle matures into brick-shaped intracellular mature virion, which can be released upon cell lysis, or can acquire a second double membrane from trans-Golgi and bud as external enveloped virion host receptors, which mediates endocytosis. Replication follows the DNA strand displacement model. DNA-templated transcription is the method of transcription. The virus exits the host cell by microtubular outwards viral transport, and exists in occlusion bodies after cell death and remains infectious until finding another host.Humans, vertebrates, and arthropods serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are fomite, contact, and airborne particles.