Notes on Genus: Metapneumovirus
enveloped spheres
Type member: Avian metapneumovirus
Contents
General Description
The genus
Metapneumovirus is one of nine genera in the family
Paramyxoviridae and contains viruses with 8 transcriptional elements. It is named after the Greek
meta = after and
pneuma = breath.
Morphology
Virions pleomorphic but usually spherical, enveloped, 150 nm in diameter or larger with spike-like projections.
Genome
Monopartite single-stranded negative sense RNA of about 13-14 kb. There is no genome-linked protein (VPg) at the 5'-terminus nor a 3'-polyA tail.
Genus Genomic Organization
There are 8 transcriptional elements (mRNA species). Their major ORFs are listed here in their order on the template strand - i.e. from 3' to 5' with respect to the virion strand:
| 1 | N | 43 kDa | Coat protein (nucleocapsid) |
| 2 | P | 32 kDa | Phosphoprotein |
| 3 | M | 28 kDa | Matrix protein |
| 4 | F | 58 kDa | Fusion protein: glycosylated envelope protein |
| 5 | M2 | 8/21 kDa | Transcription processivity factor; two possible ORFs have been identified |
| 6 | SH | 19-21 kDa | Small hydrophobic membrane protein |
| 7 | G | 26-64 kDa | Glycoprotein attachment protein |
| 8 | L | 213-231 kDa | Polymerase |
Type Member Genomic Organization
There are 8 transcriptional elements (mRNA species). Their major ORFs are listed here in their order on the template strand - i.e. from 3' to 5' with respect to the virion strand:
| 1 | N | 43 kDa | Coat protein (nucleocapsid) |
| 2 | P | 32 kDa | Phosphoprotein |
| 3 | M | 28 kDa | Matrix protein |
| 4 | F | 58 kDa | Fusion protein: glycosylated envelope protein |
| 5 | M2 | 8/21 kDa | Transcription processivity factor; two possible ORFs have been identified |
| 6 | SH | 21 kDa | Small hydrophobic membrane protein |
| 7 | G | 64 kDa | Glycoprotein attachment protein |
| 8 | L | 213 kDa | Polymerase |
