H1N1 is an orthomyxovirus, a type of minus?stranded RNA virus that infects the r

Question

H1N1 is an orthomyxovirus, a type of minus?stranded RNA virus that infects the respiratory and
pulmonary systems of humans.
a. Describe the structure of a minus RNA virus when it is outside of a host cell.
b. Explain the life?cycle of a minus RNA virus. How does it infect cells, replicate, and leave the cell? Be
specific!
c. H1N1 infection is not often fatal but is more deadly to younger people than the elderly. You are working
in a virology lab, hoping to devise a treatment for people who are infected with H1N1. Propose and
explain a molecular way in which you might try to do this. (There are several possible answers to this
question but keep in mind that you are looking for a treatment, not a preventative.)

Explanation / Answer

Ans. a) When the virus is outside of the host cell is called as virion and act as a independent unit. . There are three main component of its structure: genetic material in the form of RNA, capsid, lipid envelope. The lipid envelope is made of lipid is taken from the host cell when the multiplication of virus is done. The genetic material i.e. RNA is present in interior of the virion portion.

b.) The life cycle of negative sense RNA virus mainly includes the replication of viral particle. The minus RNA is complementary of the mRNA and firstly converted to positive (+) RNA by RNA polymerase before the onset of translation. RNA replicase is an RNA dependent RNA polymerase which is responsible for producing copies of complementary strands (designated as 'sense' to serve as the messenger RNA.

At first, the virus binds to the host cell receptor through a viral surface glycoprotein and eventually infect. Now the fusion of the glycoprotein viral membrane and plasma membrane of the host cell occurs and triggers the release of viral ribonucleoprotein complex into the host cytoplasm. Then the newly synthesized RNP complex is assembled with viral structural proteins at the plasma membrane and results into release of the newly synthesized viruses.

c.) Molecular techniques like real-time quantitative RT-PCR assays could be applied to detect and diagnose the H1N1 infection. However, the most effective procedure to treat the infection is to prescribe the antiviral drugs within the first 48 hours after the clinical symptoms begin to appear.

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