Penton (virology)
In virology, a penton is a special structure in viruses that have a capsid with an icosahedral symmetry. The corners of the icosahedral capsid form a five-pointed formation that is formed by five capsomeres . In some virus families, the capsomeres that make up the penton structure consist of different proteins than those of the rest of the capsid. These penton-forming proteins are also referred to as penton proteins in this case . Since the remaining capsomeres form the triangular sides of the icosahedron with a six-pointed symmetry, they are called hexon proteins to differentiate them from the penton proteins .
The pentons are not only highlighted morphologically, they also often fulfill special functions. In the Adenoviridae , they form the basic proteins on which the typical, wide-spreading fibers are anchored. Pentons can also enable the release of the virus genome from the capsid, for example in the case of herpes viruses and various bacteriophages , in which the pentons form an open pore from which the nucleic acid thread can emerge. In some non-enveloped viruses, the pentons are the structures that allow the virus to attach to the surface of the host cell and then penetrate it.
literature
- SJ Flint, LW Enquist, VR Racaniello, and AM Skalka: Principles of Virology. Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis, and Control of Animal Viruses. 2nd edition, ASM-Press Washington DC 2004, ISBN 1-55581-259-7
- David M. Knipe, Peter M. Howley (eds.-in-chief): Fields' Virology . Volume 1, 5th Edition, Philadelphia 2007, ISBN 0-7817-6060-7