Main description:

This volume, Biology of Poxviruses, marks our debut as editors of this well known series. We plan to continue the tradition of providing a forum for exten sive, critical reviews of individual virus groups, as exemplified by the present volume. But the pace of discovery is accelerating so rapidly that we feel the need to offer an additional format: volumes that contain collections of shorter, topical reviews on a group of related subjects. Such collections might cut across con ventional boundaries between virus groups, dealing, as an example, with a partic ular aspect of virus-cell interaction. Admittedly, this new format stretches the term "monograph" beyond the accepted definition, but we believe that we should pay that price to maintain the usefulness of the series as a medium of scientific communication. Whenever possible, we will enlist the aid of deputy editors to bring such col lections to fruition. As in the past, the editors and the publisher will welcome suggestions for topics and contributions.

Contents:

I. Introduction.- A. Scope of the Presentation.- B. Historical Development.- C. Natural Distribution and Classification.- II. The Virus Particles-Elementary Bodies.- A. Isolation and Purification.- B. Structure and Physical Properties.- C. Composition and Physical Properties.- D. Estimating Infectiousness of EB.- E. Virion-Associated Antigens.- F. Virion-Associated Polypeptides.- G. Virion-Associated Enzymatic Activities.- i) Enzymes Related to DNA Transcription and Modifications of the Polyribonucleotide Messengers (mRNA).- ii) Enzymes Related to DNA of the Virion.- iii) Nucleoside Triphosphate Phosphohydrolase.- iv) Kinases.- v) Alkaline Protease.- H. Relationship of Virus Proteins and Functions.- III. Organization and Replication of the Genome.- A. Organization.- B. Replication.- IV. Events During Penetration.- A. Adsorption.- B. Penetration from the Surface.- C. The Phenomenon of Uncoating.- V. Transcription and Translation.- A. Early Transcription.- B. Early vs Late Transcription.- C. Translation.- VI. Assembly and Morphogenesis.- A. The Envelope.- B. Differentiation into Mature Virions.- VII. Dissemination from Host Cells.- A. Involvement of Cell Membranes.- B. Occlusion in Proteinaceous Capsules.- VIII. Pathology and Disease.- A. Events at the Cell Surface.- B. Hyperplastic Response.- C. Metabolic Derangements.- D. Systemic Infections.- E. Infection and the Immune System.- IX. Genetics.- A. Introduction.- B. Spontaneous Genetic Variability.- C. Induced Genetic Variability.- D. Rescue and Reactivation Phenomena.- E. Concerning a Natural Reservoir of Poxviruses: Can Genetic Variability Lead to Reemergence of Smallpox?.- Acknowledgments.- References.