Biological and molecular aspects of the Paste des petits ruminants virus

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) is a member of the genus Morbillivi rus in the Paramyxoviridae family. All viruses of this family are enveloped and possess a negative, non-segmented RNA genome. PPRV is responsible for an acute and highly contagious disease, often fatal, in goats and sheep. Th e development of new diagnostic tools, has made easier the study of the dis ease and its' geographic distribution. The knowledge of the molecular biolo gy of PPRV has rapidly improved and its' genome is on the way to be entirel y sequenced. In this paper, the six PPRV genes, as well as the correspondin g proteins are analysed. Taking also into the knowledge on other Paramyxovi ruses, the authors describe the mechanisms of the viral multiplication of P PRV.