Lytic cycle

Jump to navigation Jump to search

The lytic cycle is one of the two cycles of viral reproduction, the other being the lysogenic cycle. These cycles should not, however, be seen as separate, but rather as somewhat interchangeable. The lytic cycle is typically considered the main method of viral replication, since it results in the destruction of the infected cell.

WikiDoc Resources for Lytic cycle

Articles

Most recent articles on Lytic cycle

Most cited articles on Lytic cycle

Review articles on Lytic cycle

Articles on Lytic cycle in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Lytic cycle

Images of Lytic cycle

Photos of Lytic cycle

Podcasts & MP3s on Lytic cycle

Videos on Lytic cycle

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Lytic cycle

Bandolier on Lytic cycle

TRIP on Lytic cycle

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Lytic cycle at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Lytic cycle

Clinical Trials on Lytic cycle at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Lytic cycle

NICE Guidance on Lytic cycle

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Lytic cycle

CDC on Lytic cycle

Books

Books on Lytic cycle

News

Lytic cycle in the news

Be alerted to news on Lytic cycle

News trends on Lytic cycle

Commentary

Blogs on Lytic cycle

Definitions

Definitions of Lytic cycle

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Lytic cycle

Discussion groups on Lytic cycle

Patient Handouts on Lytic cycle

Directions to Hospitals Treating Lytic cycle

Risk calculators and risk factors for Lytic cycle

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Lytic cycle

Causes & Risk Factors for Lytic cycle

Diagnostic studies for Lytic cycle

Treatment of Lytic cycle

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Lytic cycle

International

Lytic cycle en Espanol

Lytic cycle en Francais

Business

Lytic cycle in the Marketplace

Patents on Lytic cycle

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Lytic cycle

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


Description

The lytic cycle is a three-stage process.

Penetration

To infect a cell, a virus must first enter the cell through the plasma membrane and (if present) the cell wall. Viruses do so by either attaching to a receptor on the cell's surface or by simple mechanical force. The virus then releases its genetic material (either single- or double-stranded DNA or RNA) into the cell.

Biosynthesis

The virus' nucleic acid uses the host cell’s machinery to make large amounts of viral components. In the case of DNA viruses, the DNA transcribes itself into messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules that are then used to direct the cell's ribosomes. One of the first polypeptides to be translated is one that destroys the hosts' DNA. In retroviruses (which inject an RNA strand), a unique enzyme called reverse transcriptase transcribes the viral RNA into DNA, which is then transcribed again into mRNA.

Maturation and lysis

After many copies of viral components are made, they are assembled into complete viruses. The phage then directs production of an enzyme that breaks down the bacteria cell wall and allows fluid to enter. The cell eventually becomes filled with viruses (typically 100-200) and liquid, and bursts, or lyses; thus giving the lytic cycle its name. The new viruses are then free to infect other cells.

Lytic cycle without lysis

Some viruses escape the host cell without bursting the cell membrane, but rather bud off from it by taking a portion of the membrane with them. Because it otherwise is characteristic of the lytic cycle in other steps, it still belongs to this category. Hepatitis C viruses presumably use this method.

de:Lytischer Zyklus


Template:WH Template:WS