Question

Briefly describe about viral proteins.

Answer 1

The virus is the obligate parasite which is considered both living and nonliving. It requires a living host to complete its life cycle and replicate. It is made up of genetic material DNA or RNA enclosed in a protein coat called the capsid.

Complete answer:
The virus is made up of a protein coat called the capsid and the genetic material DNA or RNA which is enclosed in the protein coat. The virus leaves behind its protein coat after infecting the host.
To solve this question, we must discuss the capsid and the proteins associated with it.
The viral proteins are the proteins made by the virus which are essential for structural, regulatory, non-structural roles. The structural protein is the capsid. The capsid is the protein layer which helps in protecting the genetic material of the virus. The capsid is made up of several arrays of capsomers. It is found to be polyhedral in shape. The main role of protein capsid is to protect the nucleic acid from enzymatic digestion. It has specialised sites on its surface which helps attachment of the virus to the host. The proteins help in penetrating the nucleic acid to the cytoplasm of the host.

The non-structural proteins include the proteins which are synthesised by the virus and expressed in the host cell.

Note:
The virus does not use its protein synthesis for replication. Instead, it uses the proteins synthesised by the host for its replication. The regulatory and the accessory proteins control the cellular activities of the host. They enhance viral gene expression.