Adenovirus | Division of Medical Virology

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.

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@uct.ac.za.

Recipient of Key Resource Award