papovavirus,any of a group of viruses constituting the family Papovaviridae, which is divided into two subgroups: the papillomaviruses and the polyomavirusesany virus in the families Papillomaviridae and Polyomaviridae. Papovaviruses are responsible for a variety of abnormal growths in animals: warts (papillomas) in humans, dogs, and other animals; cervical cancer in women; tumours (polyomas) in mice; and vacuoles (open areas) in cells of monkeys.

The virus particle

lacks an outer membrane; is spheroidal,

(virion) is about 45


nm (


1 nm=10

- 9 metre) across; is covered with 42 subunits called capsomeres; and contains

−9 metre) in diameter. The outer surface of the capsid (the protein shell surrounding the viral nucleic acids) is icosahedral and is composed of 72 capsomeres (capsid subunits). The capsid contains double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Papovaviruses develop in the nuclei of cells, in which they can be seen in apparent crystalline arrangements.