Intracytoplasmic Uncoated Capsids of Human Cytomegalovirus

Abstract

Capsids found in the cytoplasm of infected fibroblasts by adapted strain human cytomegalovirus (CMV) apparently have bristle-like surface coating on them, which is an important difference from herpes simplex virus. CMV capsids increased in their over-all diameter by moving from the nucleus to the cytoplasm [in human embryo fibroblasts]. In some instances uncoated capsids were detected in the cytoplasmic portions especially in the vicinity of tubular structures in the cytoplasm. These uncoated capsids were possibly formed in the cytoplasm and apparently did not emigrate from the nucleus.