Ann. Méd. Vét., 2001, 145 (2), pp 108 - 119 Recombination in alphaherpesvirusesF. MEURENS, F. SCHYNTS, E. THIRYAbstract :
The Herpesviridae double-stranded DNA virus family, the ancestor of which should have appeared four hundred million years ago. The classification of these viruses is based on either their biological properties (three sub-families : Alpha-, Beta-, Gammaherpesvirinae) or their genomic structures (groups A to F). Their genomic structures, their replication, packaging and cleavage of the genome, the recombination and their biological properties are discussed in this article. Given their respective importance in human and veterinary medecines, a special attention is drawn on two viruses, namely herpes simplex virus 1 and bovine herpesvirus 1, members of the sub-family Alphaherpesvirinae. The biological consequences of recombination increase the necessity for a better understanding of this process. Several topics, such as the close association of recombination with viral replication, its role and its contribution to the evolutionary need to be further explored. Get the PDF Contact person : etienne.thiry@ulg.ac.be |