Poliovirus

Poliovirus
	TEM micrograph of poliovirus virions. Scale bar (white): 50 nm
	A type 3 poliovirus capsid, protein side chains coloured
Virus classification
(unranked):	Virus
Realm:	Riboviria
Kingdom:	Orthornavirae
Phylum:	Pisuviricota
Class:	Pisoniviricetes
Order:	Picornavirales
Family:	Picornaviridae
Genus:	Enterovirus
Species:	Enterovirus C
Virus:	Poliovirus
Serotypes
	PV-1 (Poliovirus-1); PV-2 (Poliovirus-2); PV-3 (Poliovirus-3);

Poliovirus, the causative agent of polio (also known as poliomyelitis), is a serotype of the species Enterovirus C, in the family of Picornaviridae.^[1] There are three poliovirus serotypes, numbered 1, 2, and 3.

Poliovirus is composed of an RNA genome and a protein capsid. The genome is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA (+ssRNA) genome that is about 7500 nucleotides long.^[2] The viral particle is about 30 nm in diameter with icosahedral symmetry. Because of its short genome and its simple composition—only a strand of RNA and a nonenveloped icosahedral protein coat encapsulating it—poliovirus is widely regarded as the simplest significant virus.^[3]

Poliovirus is one of the most well-characterized viruses, and has become a useful model system for understanding the biology of RNA viruses.

^ Ryan KJ, Ray CG, eds. (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed.). McGraw Hill. ISBN 978-0-8385-8529-0.^{[page needed]}
^ Hogle JM (2002). "Poliovirus cell entry: common structural themes in viral cell entry pathways". Annual Review of Microbiology. 56: 677–702. doi:10.1146/annurev.micro.56.012302.160757. PMC 1500891. PMID 12142481.
^ Goodsell DS (1998). The machinery of life. New York: Copernicus. ISBN 978-0-387-98273-1.^{[page needed]}