Papovavirus family

The family Polyomaviridae includes both polyomavirus and simian virus 40 (SV40), whose structures are both known at atomic resolution (Liddington et at, 1991 Stehle et al., 1994, 1996). These viruses had been grouped within the Papovavirus family with other tumor-inducing papillomaviruses that have been studied by electron microscopy, but not at atomic resolution (Baker et al., 1991 Trus et al, 1997). The families have now been recategorized separately (van Regenmortel et al, 2000). They share similar genetic structure, but little sequence similarity between capsid proteins, and show some differences in overall dimensions (Baker et al, 1991). 

Most members of the papovavirus family are oncogenic. The most important ones are the following ... 

There are three dilFerent families of viruses containing DNA as their genetic material that have been shown to have the potential of producing malignant tumors in animals and/or humans. These are the papovaviruses, the adenoviruses, and the herpesviruses. In addition, two members of the poxvirus family produce benign tumors in animals. 

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