Adenoviridae - Overview

Introduction

Adenoviridae are a group of double-stranded DNA viruses with an icosahedral nucleocapsid. Many Adenoviridae have been isolated from mammals and birds, but only a small number of these cause significant veterinary disease. The family consists of four genera: Mastadenovirus, Aviadenovirus, Atadenovirus and Siadenovirus. The Mastadenoviruses include Canine Adenovirus 1 (CAV-1) and Canine Adenovirus 2 (CAV-2), which cause Infectious Canine Hepatitis and respiratory disease respectively. Equine Adenovirus A (also known as Equine Adenovirus 1) is also a Mastadenovirus and causes respiratory signs in horses.

Aviadenoviruses are viruses of poultry and other birds. The genus contains inclusion body hepatitis, quail bronchitis and other avian viruses not associated with a particular disease. The Atadenovirus and Siadenovirus genera contain viruses that until recently were unassigned. These include egg drop syndrome virus and adenoviral splenomegaly of chickens as Atadenoviruses, and turkey haemorrhagic enteritis as a Siadenovirus.

Viral Characteristics

The genetic information of Adenoviridae is conveyed by a single, linear molecule of double-stranded DNA which encodes around 30 proteins. Under the influence of both host and virus-encoded factors, the DNA replicates and is transcribed within the host nucleus, where virion assembly also occurs. Basophilic and/or acidophilic inclusions may therefore be seen in the nucleus of an adenovirus-infected cell.

The virus genome is contained within a non-enveloped icosohedral nucleocapsid, which comprises capsomeres (called hexons) and twelve vertex capsomeres (called pentons). A fibre antigen protrudes from each of the twelve pentons, and this attaches to host cell receptors as well as being a type-specific haemagglutinin. This fibre antigen is a feature specific to the Adenoviridae. The hexon of mammalian adenoviruses contains a cross-reacting group antigen.

Transmission

Adenoviruses are stable to chemical and physical agents and adverse pH conditions, allowing for prolonged survival outside of the body. Aerosol transmission in respiratory droplets is the primary route of spread, but faeco-oral transmission is also possible.

Replication

Adenoviruses possess a linear dsDNA genome and are able to replicate in the nucleus of mammalian cells using the host’s replication machinery. The structure of adenovirus. 1 = penton capsomeres 2 = hexon capsomeres, and 3= viral genome (linear dsDNA)

Entry of adenoviruses into the host cell involves two sets of interactions between the virus and the host cell. Entry into the host cell is initiated by the knob domain of the fiber protein binding to the cell receptor. The two currently established receptors are: CD46 for the group B human adenovirus serotypes and the coxsackievirus adenovirus receptor (CAR) for all other serotypes. There are some reports suggesting MHC molecules and sialic acid residues functioning in this capacity as well. This is followed by a secondary interaction, where a specialized motif in the penton base protein interacts with an integrin molecule. It is the co-receptor interaction that stimulates internalization of the adenovirus. This co-receptor molecule is αv integrin. Binding to αv integrin results in endocytosis of the virus particle via clathrin-coated pits. Attachment to αv integrin stimulates cell signaling and thus induces actin polymerization resulting in entry of the virion into the host cell within an endosome.[2]

Once the virus has successfully gained entry into the host cell, the endosome acidifies, which alters virus topology by causing capsid components to disassociate. These changes as well as the toxic nature of the pentons results in the release of the virion into the cytoplasm. With the help of cellular microtubules the virus is transported to the nuclear pore complex whereby the adenovirus particle disassembles. Viral DNA is subsequently released which can enter the nucleus via the nuclear pore.[3] After this the DNA associates with histone molecules. Thus viral gene expression can occur and new virus particles can be generated.

The adenovirus life cycle is separated, by the DNA replication process, into two phases: an early and a late phase. In both phases a primary transcript is generated which is alternatively spliced to generate monocistronic mRNAs compatible with the host’s ribosome, allowing for the products to be translated.

The early genes are responsible for expressing mainly non-structural, regulatory proteins. The goal of these proteins is threefold: to alter the expression of host proteins that are necessary for DNA synthesis; to activate other virus genes (such as the virus-encoded DNA polymerase); and to avoid premature death of the infected cell by the host-immune defenses (blockage of apoptosis, blockage of interferon activity, and blockage of MHC class I translocation and expression).

Some adenoviruses under specialized conditions can transform cells using their early gene products. E1a (binds Retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein) has been found to immortalize primary cells in vitro allowing E1b (binds p53 tumor suppressor) to assist and stably transform the cells. Nevertheless, they are reliant upon each other to successfully transform the host cell and form tumors.

DNA replication separates the early and late phases. Once the early genes have liberated adequate virus proteins, replication machinery and replication substrates, replication of the adenovirus genome can occur. A terminal protein that is covalently bound to the 5’ end of the adenovirus genome acts as a primer for replication. The viral DNA polymerase then uses a strand displacement mechanism, as opposed to the conventional Okazaki fragments used in mammalian DNA replication, to replicate the genome.

The late phase of the adenovirus life cycle is focused on producing sufficient quantities of structural protein to pack all the genetic material produced by DNA replication. Once the viral components have successfully been replicated the virus is assembled into its protein shells and released from the cell as a result of virally induced cell lysis.

References

1. 1. Carter, GR and Wise, DJ (2005) A Concise Review of Veterinary Virology, International Veterinary Information Service.
2. Fenner, F J et al (1993). Veterinary Virology (Second Edition). Academic Press, Inc.
3. Wu and Nemerow, G R (2004) Virus yoga: the role of flexibility in virus host cell recognition. Trends in Microbiology, 12(4), 162–168.
4. Meier and Greber, U F (2004) Adenovirus endocytosis. The Journal of Gene Medicine, 6, S152–S163.