What happens to the viral capsid when the virus enters a host cell? Host cell en
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What happens to the viral capsid when the virus enters a host cell? Host cell enzymes transcribe the viral genome into viral mRNA. What is the purpose of this mRNA? At what stage will the viral proteins and the viral genome self assemble before or after the virus leaves he host cell ? What happens to the viral capsid when the virus enters a host cell? Host cell enzymes transcribe the viral genome into viral mRNA. What is the purpose of this mRNA? At what stage will the viral proteins and the viral genome self assemble before or after the virus leaves he host cell ? At what stage will the viral proteins and the viral genome self assemble before or after the virus leaves he host cell ?Explanation / Answer
The capsid is the protein shell of a virus. t consists of several structural subunits called protomers. The capsid encloses the genetic material of the virus. Specific proteins on the viral capsid bind to receptors proteins on the cell membrane of the target cell. It then enables the virion to penetrate the host cell membrane and inject its nucleic acid into the host cell. It is believed that the capsid protein is also taken up inside the cell and broken down or it binds closely to the host cell membrane and is disintegrated.
The mRNA carries the code to replicate the viral RNA or DNA so that several copies of the parasite virus can be made. Several copies of the infecting virus are thus made inside the host cell which is now ready to infect other cells.
During the replication of many viruses, hundreds of thousands of proteins assemble around the viral nucleic acid to form the capsid. The viral mRNA directs the host cell to synthesize viral enzymes and capsid proteins and to assemble new virions. Some viruses are released when the host cell dies while some other bud off the infected cells without killing them. Once the replication of the viral genetic material is completed, the reassembly of the capsid takes place so that the copies of the virion are released to target and infect new cells.
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