| Vaccinia virus (VACV or VV) is a large, complex enveloped virus belonging to the poxvirus family of viruses. It has a linear double-stranded DNA genome, which is approximately 190kb in length and encodes for approximately 250 genes. The dimensions of the virion are roughly 360 × 270 × 250nm. Vaccinia virus is well-known for its role as a vaccine that eradicated the smallpox disease from our world, making it the first human disease to be successfully eradicated by mankind. This endeavor was carried out by the World Health Organization under the Smallpox Eradication Program. Post eradication of smallpox, scientists have been studying vaccinia virus to use as a tool for delivering genes into biological tissues (gene therapy and genetic engineering). Moreover, due to recent concerns about smallpox resurfacing as a possible agent for bioterrorism, scientists have renewed their interests in studying vaccinia virus. |
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| Catalog # | V0500-30 |
| Vaccinia virus is unique amongst all DNA viruses because it replicates only in the cytoplasm of the host cell (outside of the nucleus). Therefore, the large genome is required for encoding various enzymes and proteins involved in viral DNA replication and gene transcription. During its replication cycle, VV produces several infectious forms which differ in their outer membranes | the intracellular mature virion (IMV), the intracellular enveloped virion (IEV), the cell-associated enveloped virion (CEV) and the extracellular enveloped virion (EEV). Although the issue remains contentious, the prevailing view is that the IMV consists of a single lipoprotein membrane, while the CEV and EEV are both surrounded by two membrane layers and the IEV has three envelopes. The IMV is the most abundant infectious form and is thought to be responsible for spread between hosts. On the other hand, the CEV is believed to play a role in cell-to-cell spread and the EEV is thought to be important for long range dissemination within the host organism. |
| [edit]Host resistance |
| Vaccinia contains within its genome several proteins that give the virus resistance to interferons. K3L is a protein with homology towards the protein eIF-2alpha. K3L protein inhibits the action of PKR, an activator of interferons. E3L is another protein encoded by vaccinia. E3L also inhibits PKR activation; and is also able to bind to double stranded RNA. |
| Vaccinia virus is closely related to the virus that causes cowpox. The precise origin of vaccinia virus is unknown due to the lack of record-tracking as the virus was repeatedly cultivated and passaged in research laboratories for many decades. The most common notion is that vaccinia virus, cowpox virus and variola virus (the causative agent for smallpox) were all derived from a common ancestral virus. There is also speculation that vaccinia virus was originally isolated from horses. |
| Virus classification | Group: Group I (dsDNA) |
| Family: Poxviridae |
| Genus: Orthopoxvirus |
| Species: Vaccinia virus |
| Applications | Suitable for use in ELISA, Direct Immunoflourescence and Immunohistochemistry. Other applications have not been tested. |
| Recommended Dilutions | Immunohistochemistry: Proteinase K digestion is recommended with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections. |
| Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher. |
| Storage and Stability | May be stored at 4°C for short-term only. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20°C. Aliquots are stable for at least 12 months. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. FITC conjugates are sensitive to light. |
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| Also Available: |
| V0500-10: Vaccinia Virus (Smallpox, Lister strain) Pab Rb x |
| V0500-20: Vaccinia Virus (Smallpox, Lister strain) (Biotin) Pab Rb x |
| V0500-30: Vaccinia Virus (Smallpox, Lister strain) (FITC) Pab Rb x |
| V0500-40: Vaccinia Virus (Smallpox, Lister strain) (HRP) Pab Rb x |
| CAS Number | n/a |
| Clone Type | Polyclonal |
| Isotype | IgG |
| Host | Rabbit |
| Concentration | ~4-5mg/ml |
| Form | Supplied as a liquid in PBS, pH 7.2, 10mg/ml BSA, 0.1% sodium azide. Labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). |
| Purity | Purified by Protein A affinity chromatography. |
| Immunogen | Lister strain (mixture of virions and infected cell polyproteins, ICPs). |
| Specificity | Recognizes purified virions. Reactive with Lister, MVA, Wyeth and NYC strains of Vaccinia. Does not react with uninfected cells. Does not crossreact with parainfluenza (1-3), RSV, adenovirus, influenza A&B or HSV-1. |
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| Important Note | This product as supplied is intended for research use only, not for use in human, therapeutic or diagnostic applications without the expressed written authorization of United States Biological. |
