Papovaviridae is a family of oncogenic DNA viruses that include papilloma, polyoma, and simian vacuolating virus. Originally the family was named for its 3 main members Papillomavaris, Polyomavirus, and simian Vacuolating Agent. This family consists of non-enveloped small viruses that mainly affect vertebras (mammals). The genus that I have selected to research is Papillomavirus, specifically HPV 6. 11, 16, 18 32, which cause STD's.
Papillomaviruses are small DNA viruses, 52-55 nm in diameter. There are 72 capsomers (60 hexameric + 12 pentameric) arranged on a T = 7 lattice. There are 2 capsid proteins, 1 major (encoded by the L1 gene) and 1 minor (L2). The papillomavirus genome consists of circular, d/s DNA~8kbp in size, associated with cellular histones to form a chromatin-like substance. At least 12 different HPV genomes have been sequenced. .
Papillomaviruses have been shown to cause skin warts and perhaps even cervical cancer. The first papillomarivus was isolated in 1933 by Richard Shope who was able to isolate them in rabbits. It was not until the beginning of molecular virology in the 1970's that human Papillomaviruses (HPV) was first studied. HPV was not studied until 1970 because no HPV grows in vitro. Human papillomaviruses are ever-present and infect cutaneous and mucosal epithelia. Over 70 different virus types are known to infect man and are differentiated by DNA homology. Human papillomaviruses are spp-specific, and show adaptation to different body sites. Most are associated with a large spectrum of cutaneous epithelial lesions, which are often benign warts. Warts are small benign skin tumors, which most people have. The virus commonly affects the skin areas of the extremities, such as arms, hands, and feet, or the genitalia. HPV also affects the mucosal epithelia resulting in genital warts. When the virus affects the genitalia it is a sexually transmitted disease.
