Poxvirus research and outbreaks

Insights into goatpox virus and sheeppox virus genomes from pangenome graphs

This study compares the genomic diversity and evolution of goatpox and sheeppox viruses using pangenome graphs, revealing structural variation at inverted terminal repeats as a key driver of diversity.

Smallpox Vaccine Elicits CD8+ T Cell Immunity Persisting Over Four Decades with Cross-Recognition of Monkeypox Virus

This study identifies two CD8 T-cell epitopes cross-recognized by smallpox vaccine-induced immunity against MPXV, showing long-term persistence in vaccinated individuals over four decades.

Monkeypox Virus Clade IIb Isolate Exhibits Reduced Virulence Relative to Clade IIa Isolates in Multiple Murine Models

This study compares the virulence of MPXV clade IIa and IIb isolates in multiple murine models, finding IIb is significantly less virulent with lower lethality.

Genome-wide CRISPR screen reveals PEX11B as a host restriction factor against ORFV through membrane fluidity regulation

The paper identifies PEX11B as a host restriction factor against ORFV by showing its role in regulating membrane fluidity and peroxisomal integrity.

Structure and functional analyses of vaccinia virus J5 protein reveal distinct determinants for entry-fusion complex assembly and activation

This study determines the structure of vaccinia virus J5 protein and identifies key regions for EFC assembly and membrane fusion.

Discovery and Characterization of a Hydroxypyridone-3-carboxamide Analog as an Antiviral Lead against Orthopoxviruses

This study identifies ZW-2038, a hydroxypyridone-3-carboxamide analog, as an antiviral lead against orthopoxviruses with low micromolar potency and selectivity in human fibroblasts and organoid models.

Divergence in poxvirus-encoded E3-like proteins can dictate poxvirus activation of cellular necroptosis

This study identifies divergence in poxvirus E3-like proteins and shows that Leporipoxviruses induce necroptosis while Orthopoxviruses inhibit it.

Poxvirus A52 is a host range factor for modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and promotes viral replication by disturbing the formation of autolysosomes

This study identifies poxvirus protein A52 as a host range factor that disrupts autolysosome formation to promote viral replication in MVA.

A Multiplex qPCR to Differentiate Monkeypox Virus Clades

The paper develops a multiplex qPCR assay to differentiate monkeypox virus clades, showing high sensitivity and specificity in clinical samples.

Pox-AbDab: the Orthopoxvirus Antibody Database

This paper introduces Pox-AbDab, a database of antibodies against orthopoxviruses, highlighting challenges in cross-species antibody function and identifying gaps in research.

The whole genome analysis of four Orf virus strains from Europe and South America.

The paper analyzes the whole genome sequences of four Orf virus strains to study genetic variation and divergence, finding a median divergence time of 1661.

Human outbreak detection and best practice MPXV analysis and interpretation with squirrel

This paper introduces squirrel, a tool for analyzing MPXV genomes to detect outbreaks and classify APOBEC3 mutations, aiding public health responses.

Antigen-agnostic identification of poxvirus broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting OPG153

The paper identifies OPG153 as a target of broadly neutralizing antibodies against MPXV and related viruses using antigen-agnostic isolation, AlphaFold 3 modeling, and cryo-EM.

Ciclopirox suppresses poxvirus replication by targeting iron metabolism

This study identifies ciclopirox as an antiviral agent that suppresses poxvirus replication by targeting host iron metabolism.

Structural Dissection of Vaccinia G9 Identifies Residues Essential for Membrane Fusion and Complex Assembly

This study identifies critical residues in the Vaccinia virus G9 protein essential for EFC function and membrane fusion, revealing conserved structural motifs across poxviruses and Nucleocytoviricota.

Non-Redundant Roles of Topoisomerase 2α and 2β in the Cytosolic Replication of Vaccinia Virus

This study identifies distinct roles of TOP2A and TOP2B in vaccinia virus replication, showing TOP2A promotes replication while TOP2B suppresses it by forming antiviral granules.

Primary bovine white blood cells support dissemination of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus while suppressing viral replication

This study shows that primary bovine white blood cells support LSDV dissemination but suppress viral replication, with heat-treated virus inducing antiviral gene expression.

Novel derivatives of BCV and (S)-HPMPA inhibit orthopoxviruses and human adenoviruses more potently than BCV

This study evaluates novel prodrugs based on (S)-HPMPA and (S)-HPMPC, finding that ODE-(S)-HPMPA formate is more potent against orthopoxviruses and adenoviruses than BCV, but less effective against HSV-1.

The 2.3 A Structure of A21, a Protein Component of the Conserved Poxvirus Entry-Fusion Complex

The paper determines the crystal structure of A21, a poxvirus EFC protein, revealing its conserved fold and interactions within the entry-fusion complex.

Antiviral activity of Tecovirimat against Mpox virus clades 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b

This study evaluates Tecovirimat's antiviral activity against four Mpox virus clades and finds it effectively inhibits all at nanomolar concentrations.

Role of vaccinia virus growth factor in stimulating the mTORC1-CAD axis of the de novo pyrimidine pathway under different nutritional cues

This study identifies vaccinia virus growth factor (VGF) as a key factor enabling mTORC1-CAD axis activation in nutrient-poor conditions, enhancing de novo pyrimidine synthesis for viral replication.

Mpox mRNA-1769 Vaccine Inhibits Orthopoxvirus Replication at Intranasal, Intrarectal, and Cutaneous Sites of Inoculation

The paper shows that an mRNA vaccine against mpox reduces virus replication at multiple inoculation sites and provides protection with a single dose, supported by antibody-mediated immunity.

Molecular basis for the host range function of the poxvirus PKR inhibitor E3

This paper identifies species-specific interactions between poxvirus PKR inhibitors E3 and K3 and host PKR proteins, challenging the sequestration model for E3 function.

Molecular Architecture of Monkeypox Mature Virus

This study uses cryo-ET and STA to reveal the architecture of mature MPXV particles and identifies irregular virions with distorted core walls.

Sero-epidemiological investigation and risk factors associated with camelpox in pastoral areas of Somali region, eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

This study estimates camelpox seroprevalence and identifies risk factors in Somali region, Ethiopia, finding higher infection rates in females, young camels, and during the rainy season.

Mpox virus (MPXV) vertical transmission and fetal demise in a pregnant rhesus macaque model

This study infects pregnant rhesus macaques with clade IIb Mpox virus and finds vertical transmission to the fetus and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Exploring the Transcriptomic Profile of Human Monkeypox Virus via CAGE and Native RNA Sequencing Approaches

This study uses CAGE and long-read RNA sequencing to analyze the transcriptional architecture of human monkeypox virus, identifying alternative TSSs, TESs, promoter elements, and novel genes.

Discovery of a Heparan Sulfate Binding Domain in Monkeypox Virus H3 as an Anti-poxviral Drug Target Combining AI and MD Simulations

The paper identifies a conserved heparan sulfate binding domain in MPXV H3 using AI and MD simulations, validates its role in viral adhesion, and demonstrates a protein inhibitor that disrupts this interaction, inhibiting infection in vitro and in vivo.

Structure and flexibility of the DNA polymerase holoenzyme of vaccinia virus

The paper presents the 3.8 Å cryo-EM structure of the VACV DNA polymerase holoenzyme and shows its structural similarity to MPXV, with transient E9-D4 interactions and conformational flexibility.

Multi-modal cryo-EM reveals trimers of protein A10 to form the palisade layer in poxvirus cores

The paper uses cryo-EM and AlphaFold to determine the structure of the poxvirus core, identifying A10 trimers as the key component of the palisade layer.