CMV Pp65, 561 a.a.

CMV is part of the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily of Herpesviridae; including herpes simplex virustypes 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, and Epstein-Barrvirus. The herpesviruses has the common ability to stay latentover long periods of time. CMV has the largest genome of the herpes viruses, ranging from 230-240 kilobase pairs. CMV is a double-stranded linear DNA virus with 162 hexagonal protein capsomeres surrounded by a lipid membrane. Human CMV is composed of unique and inverted repeats that include the existence of 4 genome isomers caused by inversion of L-S genome components (class E). Replication may be divided into immediate early, delayed early, and late gene expression based on time of synthesis after infection. The DNA is replicated by rolling circles. In vitro, CMV replicates in human fibroblasts.