Measles virus

The measles virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and Morbilivirusgenus.

Characteristics of the measles virus

The measles virus is a negative polarity RNAvirus which has a linear genome of approximately 15,000 bases. It codes for only seven proteins, including a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The viral particle is spherical with a diameter of 150 nanometres and is enveloped by a cell membrane.

Measles virus and measles

The virus is highly infectious and is transmitted via droplets suspended in air. The virus then colonises immune cells in the pharynx and lungs. It attaches to the cells by specific receptors that recognise the virus surface proteins (haemagglutinin). After fusion between the viral and cell membranes, the RNA surrounded by a nucleocapsid is released into the cell cytoplasm. The viral RNA is then transcribed into messenger RNAs which are translated by the cellular ribosome into proteins required for the viral cycle. Finally the RNA is replicated to recreate new virions.

The new virions can then gradually colonise secondary lymphoid tissues, the skin and central nervous system.