Adenoviruses are non-enveloped icosahedral particles.
The capsid is built up from 252 capsomers (T=25), of which 240 are hexavalent and 12 (situated at the apices) are pentavalent.
A "penton fibre"projects from each apex.

 

 

The penton fibres consist of a slender shaft with a globular head.
They are involved in the process of attachment of the virus particle to the host cell.

 

Fibres easily become detached during preparation for electron microscopy.

 


© Copyright Dr Linda M Stannard, 1995

This page was written by Dr Linda Stannard, on behalf of the Division of Medical Virology, UCT.

In Memory of Dr Linda Stannard, 10 May 1942 - 17 October 2016

For re-use of and queries about Dr Stannard's images, please contact Dr Stephen Korsman at stephen.korsman@nhls.ac.za.

Recipient of Key Resource Award

Key Resource Award