- Volume 76, Issue 11, 1995
Volume 76, Issue 11, 1995
- Review Article
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- Animal
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A new genome type of human parvovirus B19 present in sera of patients with encephalopathy
More LessThe possible involvement of human parvovirus B19 infection in encephalopathy has been reported. To determine the characteristics of B19 viruses involved in such cases, we molecularly cloned a part of the B19 DNAs derived from the sera of three patients with encephalopathy (B19 strains N80, N81 and N82), following amplification by PCR. The nucleotide (nt) sequences of the cloned DNAs (nt 3147-3405) were then determined. The nucleotide sequence of N80 was similar to that of the known genome type of group II. The nucleotide sequences of N81 and N82 were similar to each other, but distinctly different from those of other B19 strains reported previously. Almost the entire genome of strain N81 (nt 229-4812) was molecularly cloned following amplification by PCR. Analyses of the restriction site polymorphisms of the cloned N81 DNAs showed that N81 is distantly related to other B19 strains. Therefore, the two strains of N81 and N82 were defined as belonging to a new genome type, group V. Group V B19 virus has so far been isolated only from patients with encephalopathy.
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Differential induction and regulation of c-jun, junB, junD and c-fos by human papillomavirus type 11 E5a oncoprotein
More LessThe E5a gene of human papillomavirus type 11 (HPV-11) is a transforming oncogene. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of E5a induced transformation. Our results show that the expression of c-jun and junB, but not junD, was activated by HPV-11 E5a in NIH 3T3 cells and human epidermal keratinocytes. However, the expression of c-fos was activated by E5a in NIH 3T3 cells, but not in keratinocytes. We further investigated the mechanism of c-jun and junB induction by E5a. The amount of c-jun and junB RNAs correlated with the amount of E5a RNA in the heavy metal inducible system. E5a constitutively activated the expression of c-jun and junB at the initiation of transcription level. In addition, analyses of the effect of serum on c-jun expression in E5a transformed human epidermal keratinocytes show that EGF might have a stimulatory effect on c-jun gene expression in E5a expressing keratinocytes.
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Conformational and linear epitopes on virus-like particles of human papillomavirus type 33 identified by monoclonal antibodies to the minor capsid protein L2
More LessThe organization of epitopes on the minor capsid protein L2 of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 33 has been analysed using three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) generated against a large fragment of the L2 protein (amino acids 82–259) expressed as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein. The topology of the L2 epitopes has been investigated with respect to the structure of HPV-33 virus-like particles (VLPs). Two of the MAbs reacted with linear epitopes which were mapped to amino acids 153–160 and 163–170, respectively. These epitopes were accessible in denatured but not in native VLPs consisting of L1 and L2, suggesting an internal location. The third antibody was unable to detect denatured L2 protein but reacted with native VLPs. This is the first demonstration of an apparent conformational epitope of the HPV L2 protein. A model for the putative orientation of L2 in the papillomavirus capsid is deduced from the location of these and other antigenic sites.
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Domains of the Epstein—Barr virus nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) involved in the transactivation of the latent membrane protein 1 and the EBNA Cp promoters
More LessThe Epstein—Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) is one of the first EBV-encoded gene products expressed after infection of primary B lymphocytes. EBNA2 is essential for the growth-transforming potential of the virus and it functions as a transcriptional activator of a set of viral and cellular genes. Sequence-specific DNA-binding by EBNA2 has not been demonstrated but the molecule is targeted to specific DNA regions by a cellular protein, RBP-Jκ, which recognizes the GTGGGAA sequence present in the regulatory region of all EBNA2-responsive promoters defined so far. We have determined the contribution of a RBP-Jκ recognition sequence, an adjacent interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) motif and a PU.1-binding site in the LMP1 regulatory sequence (LRS) to EBNA2-induced transactivation of the promoter by site-directed mutagenesis of LRS-carrying reporter plasmids. EBNA2 responsiveness was reduced by approximately twofold when either or both of the RBP-Jκ-binding and ISRE sequences were mutated. ISRE seemed to function as an EBNA2-independent positive element. On the other hand, mutation of the PU box resulted in a drastic reduction of EBNA2 responsiveness, irrespective of whether the RBP-Jκ site or the ISRE motif was present. A comparative study by deletion mutation identified regions of EBV B95-8 EBNA2 involved in the transactivation of the LMP1 and the EBNA Cp promoters. Two domains of EBNA2 defined by deletion of amino acids 247–337 and 437–476 were found to be important for the activation of both promoters, while two different domains corresponding to residues 4–18 and 118–198 were required solely for the LMP1 promoter. Thus, EBNA2 must activate the LMP1 and Cp promoters by different mechanisms. All deletions involved in transcriptional activation of the two promoters contained regions that are conserved in EBNA2 of B95-8 EBV (type 1), AG876 EBV (type 2) and herpesvirus papio origin.
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PU box-binding transcription factors and a POU domain protein cooperate in the Epstein—Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 2-induced transactivation of the EBV latent membrane protein 1 promoter
More LessExpression of the Epstein—Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein (LMP1) is regulated by virus- and host cell-specific factors. The EBV nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) has been shown to transactivate a number of viral and cellular gene promoters including the promoter for the LMP1 gene. EBNA2 is targeted to at least some of these promoters by interacting with a cellular DNA binding protein, RBP-Jκ. In the present report we confirm and extend our previous observation that the LMP1 promoter can be activated by EBNA2 in the absence of the RBP-Jκ-binding sequence in the LMP1 promoter regulatory region (LRS). We show that two distinct LRS regions, -106 to +40 and -176 to -136, contribute to EBNA2 responsiveness. Site-directed mutagenesis analysis of the upstream -176/-136 EBNA2 responsive element revealed that two critical cis-acting elements are required for full promoter function. These same elements analysed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays define two binding sites recognized by nuclear factors derived from B cells. An octamer-like sequence (-147 to -139) contained overlapping binding sites for an unidentified transcriptional repressor on the one hand and a factor(s) belonging to the POU domain family but distinct from Oct-1 and Oct-2 on the other. An adjacent purine tract (-171 to -155) held a PU.1 binding site, which was also recognized by a related factor. The results suggest that the POU domain protein and either of two PU box-binding factors bind simultaneously to LRS, creating a ternary complex that might be in part responsible for mediating the transactivation of the LMP1 promoter by EBNA2. There were no qualitative differences between EBV-negative and EBV-positive cells with regard to transcription factor binding to the octamer-like sequence and the PU.1 recognition site, as revealed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays.
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Characterization of the Helicoverpa armigera and Pseudaletia unipuncta granulovirus enhancin genes
More LessEnhancins are baculovirus proteins capable of enhancing infections in insect larvae by other baculoviruses. We have identified the enhancin proteins in four species of granulovirus (GV). In this paper we describe the cloning and sequencing of the enhancin genes of the Pseudaletia unipuncta granulovirus-Hawaiian strain (PsunGV-H) and the Helicoverpa (Heliothis) armigera granulovirus (HearGV). The PsunGV-H enhancin gene is virtually identical to the previously characterized Trichoplusia ni GV (TnGV) enhancin gene. In contrast, a comparison of the predicted amino acid sequences of TnGV enhancin (901 amino acids) and HearGV enhancin (902 amino acids) revealed an overall identity of only 80%, with greater conservation (88%) from amino acids 1–550. Primer extension analysis of enhancin RNAs identified the baculovirus late promoter motif that serves as the transcriptional start site in the HearGV enhancin gene. It is located three nucleotides from the putative enhancin translational initiator codon. RNase protection analysis demonstrated that both read-through and termination occur at the 3′ end of the gene. Since a partial open reading frame (ORF) was identified immediately down-stream of the 3′ end of the enhancin ORF, these data suggested that a sizeable fraction of the enhancin mRNAs may be bi-cistronic and share a common 3′ end with a downstream transcription unit.
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Efficient replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and measles virus in a human-to-mouse graft versus host disease model permits immunization research
More LessAn acute graft versus host disease (GvHD) murine model was developed to study the pathogenic and protective mechanisms against viruses that replicate in cells of the human immune system. The model allowed efficient replication of lymphotropic, macrophage and amphitropic strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and measles virus (MV). Cytopathic lymphotropic strains of HIV-1 and a wild-type MV strain replicated in a ‘burst’-like manner, whereas a non-cytopathic lymphotropic HIV-1 strain and all macrophage-tropic HIV-1 strains caused persistent infection of the graft. The replication kinetics of infection with these viruses were highly reproducible and were very similar to those observed in natural infection of humans. Infection with these viruses, with the exception of HIV-1SF2, led to a significant delay and abrogation of the GvHD, indicating a direct immunosuppressive effect. Interestingly, infection with the lymphotropic HIV-1SF2 strain was rapidly and spontaneously abrogated. The model was also shown to be suitable for the evaluation of passive immunization strategies. Administration of a combination of antibodies against the HIV-1 V3 loop and the HIV-1 CD4 binding sites prevented subsequent infection with HIV-1IIIB. In contrast, administration of CD4 binding site specific human monoclonal antibody at a concentration that would neutralize the virus in vitro enhanced in vivo infection with HIV-1IIIB. The model also allowed evaluation of in vivo immunization studies. Immunization with a live attenuated measles vaccine resulted in protection from a wild-type MV challenge, whereas immunization with a subunit candidate vaccine appeared to give partial protection.
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Function of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu protein in various cell types
More LessWe evaluated the function of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 vpu gene in various cell lines. We established a highly sensitive system consisting of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and reverse transcriptase assays and used it to monitor the effects of mutation of the vpu gene. In some cell lines, Vpu protein was not required at the early phase of viral replication but was important for efficient virion production. In these cells, the Vpu protein functioned effectively irrespective of the presence of intact env gene products. Likewise, CD4 gene expression had no effects on Vpu function. In the other cell lines tested, Vpu protein was not important for virion release, and the vpu mutant clone generated a normal level of progeny virions upon transfection.
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Early replication block of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in monkey cells
More LessThe genetic and functional basis of the replication-defective nature of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in monkey cells was studied. By the generation and characterization of chimeras between HIV-1 and simian immunodeficiency virus, the sequence encompassing the 3′ half of the long terminal repeat, gag and pol genes of HIV-1 was found to be responsible for the growth restriction. Early and late phases of HIV-1 replication in monkey cells were analysed in detail using several assay systems: transfection/coculture, trans-complementation between various proviral clones carrying the CAT gene and effector clones and evaluation of transcription and reverse transcription. All the data were consistent with the notion that HIV-1 replication is blocked at a very early stage(s) such as uncoating and/or reverse transcription in monkey cells.
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Epithelial tumour cells in the lungs of sheep with pulmonary adenomatosis are major sites of replication for Jaagsiekte retrovirus
More LessSheep pulmonary adenomatosis (SPA) is a naturally occurring contagious lung tumour of sheep which has been associated aetiologically with a type D- and B-related retrovirus (Jaagsiekte retrovirus; JSRV). To improve understanding of the aetio-pathogenesis of SPA, the distribution and the sites of JSRV replication in sheep with naturally or experimentally induced SPA or in unaffected controls were identified. New immunological reagents were produced and a blocking enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (B-ELISA) and an immunohistochemical technique for the detection of JSRV major capsid protein at the tissue and cellular levels were developed. JSRV was detected only in the respiratory tract of sheep affected by pulmonary adenomatosis and specifically in the transformed epithelial cells of the alveoli of SPA-affected sheep.
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Development of an ELISA to detect MX virus, a human calicivirus in the Snow Mountain agent genogroup
More LessMX virus is a Snow Mountain agent (SMA) genogroup human calicivirus (HuCV) identified in a Mexican child with diarrhoea. An ELISA using hyperimmune antisera to the recombinant MX virus (rMX) capsid was developed to detect SMA genogroup HuCVs in stool specimens. The rMX ELISA detected the prototype MX virus, SMA, and Hawaii agent (HA), but not Norwalk virus (NV) or Sapporo virus. Twenty-three diarrhoea stool specimens from children attending day care centres in Norfolk, Virginia, were positive by the rMX ELISA and results were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Eight of 20 diarrhoea stool specimens from children in the United Kingdom previously shown to contain small round structured viruses (SRSVs) or HuCVs by electron microscopy were also positive by the rMX ELISA and RT-PCR. Sequence analysis of the RT-PCR products showed that all the rMX ELISA-positive viruses belong to the SMA genogroup. These data also showed that the SMA genogroup can be further divided into two subgroups: subgroup 1 includes prototypes SMA and HA, and subgroup 2 includes MX virus, minireovirus, Oth-25 and Bristol virus.
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Comparison of the genomes of the wild-type French viscerotropic strain of yellow fever virus with its vaccine derivative French neurotropic vaccine
The French neurotropic vaccine, or FNV, was used extensively in Africa to control yellow fever (YF). Although efficacious, the vaccine caused an unacceptable rate of post-vaccinal complications in children and was subsequently replaced by the 17D vaccine. Here we report that the genomes of the wild-type YF virus French viscerotropic virus and its attenuated vaccine derivative, FNV virus from the Institut Pasteur, Paris, (FNV-IP) differ by 77 nucleotides encoding 35 amino acid substitutions. Comparison of FNV-IP and three other isolates of FNV with other YF vaccine strains (17D-204 and 17DD derived from wild-type strain Asibi) revealed that during the two attenuation processes two common nucleotide changes arose that encode two amino acid substitutions: one is in the membrane protein at amino acid 35 (M-35), the other in nonstructural (NS) protein 4B at NS4B-95. These common substitutions may be important in the process of attenuation of viscerotropic disease for humans and monkeys, and/or may be involved in loss of mosquito competence of the vaccine viruses.
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Passage of Japanese encephalitis virus in HeLa cells results in attenuation of virulence in mice
Of four wild-type strains (Nakayama-original, SA14, 826309 and Beijing-1) of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus that were passaged six times in HeLa cells (HeLa p6), two (Nakayama-original and 826309) became attenuated for mice. In the case of strain Nakayama-original, the virulence for mice was markedly reduced and attenuation was retained on passage in primary chicken embryo fibroblast, LLC-MK2 and C6/36 cells. The binding of non-HeLa-passaged Nakayama virus to mouse brain membrane receptor preparations could be differentiated from binding by Nakayama HeLa p6 virus, suggesting that the envelope (E) protein is involved in the attenuated phenotype. Both of the attenuated viruses can be distinguished from the virulent non-HeLa-passaged parental viruses by examination with E protein reactive vaccine and wild-type-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The vaccine-specific MAb V23, which is only reactive with the SA14 series of live vaccine viruses, recognized the HeLa cell-attenuated Nakayama-original and 826309 viruses, whereas two wild-type-specific MAbs (MAbs K13 and K39) lost reactivity. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the structural protein genes of the 826309 and Nakayama-original virulent parent and attenuated HeLa p6 viruses revealed that the viruses differed by 37 and 46 nucleotides coding for eight and nine amino acid mutations, respectively. However, other than one amino acid in the E protein, the membrane and E protein amino acid sequences of the two attenuated HeLa p6 viruses were identical.
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Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus 3D RNA polymerase: its expression in the CNS and the specific immune response generated in persistently infected mice
More LessIntracerebral inoculation of the neurotropic murine picornavirus, Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), results either in an acute encephalitis (GDVII strain) or in the establishment of a persistent infection with the development of demyelinating lesions (BeAn strain). In this article, the expression of the viral RNA polymerase was studied in the central nervous system of both acutely and persistently infected mice and in infected cells in tissue culture. Similar numbers of acutely infected glial cells (80–85%) expressed both viral polymerase and structural proteins in vitro while a much smaller proportion of persistently infected glial cells (0.6–0.9%) expressed these proteins. Following infection of mice with GDVII, many cells in the brain were found to express polymerase. However, in the spinal cord of mice persistently infected with BeAn, very few cells were found to express the polymerase while many more cells showed the presence of viral structural proteins. This suggests that a restriction in viral replication, possibly at the level of polymerase expression, may be a feature of the persistent infection. However, enough polymerase was expressed to maintain a polymerase-specific antibody response in a number of infected animals as late as 21 months post-infection. Mechanisms that may be involved in the establishment and maintainance of TMEV persistence are discussed with reference to these findings.
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Rinderpest virus infection of bovine peripheral blood monocytes
More LessThe ability of rinderpest virus (RPV) to replicate in vitro in adherent peripheral blood monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages under non-stimulation conditions was investigated. When flow cytometry analysis on bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was performed, monocytic cells were seen to be targets for infection by the cell culture-attenuated RBOK vaccine strain of RPV. Viral glycoprotein (H) and nucleoprotein (N) expression in adherent blood monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages was compared with the infection in Vero cells, in which a productive infection typical of morbilliviruses is obtained. In both cell types, the infection was m.o.i.-dependent, but the rate of viral protein accumulation was slower in monocytes/macrophages. Double-labelling experiments with monoclonal antibodies against RPV and the myeloid marker CD14 confirmed that the infected blood adherent cells were monocytes and macrophages. Productive infection of monocytes was confirmed by progeny virus titration. Permissiveness to infection was not dependent on macrophage differentiation: in vitro maturation of monocytes to macrophages before infection, did not increase the susceptibility of these cells to RPV infection. With the virulent Saudi RPV isolate, similar results were obtained, although the Saudi virus apparently had a higher rate of replication compared to the attenuated virus. These observations demonstrate clearly that bovine blood monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages serve as hosts for a relatively slow but productive infection by rinderpest virus.
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Cell-to-cell contact via measles virus haemagglutinin-CD46 interaction triggers CD46 downregulation
More LessCD46 downregulation by measles virus (MV) occurs after expression of virus haemagglutinin (H) protein on the surface of the infected cell and is a consequence of CD46-H interaction on the cell membrane. To assess whether CD46 downregulation also occurs after CD46-H interaction when these two molecules are expressed on distinct cells, we used human T cell line Jurkat (expressing CD46) and transfected murine fibroblast line L stably expressing MV-H protein (L.H). FACS analysis shows that cell-to-cell contact of 1 h at 37 °C triggers a reduction of CD46 cell surface labelling as detected by MCI20.6, GB24 and J4-48 monoclonal antibodies. This reduction is similar to that observed after MV infection or after infection with recombinant vaccinia virus encoding MV-H protein. By contrast, MV-H protein was downregulated only when CD46-H interaction occurred on the same cell membrane. CD46 downregulation is specific for CD46-H interaction because it was not observed after coincubation of Jurkat cells with either L cells expressing MV nucleoprotein (L.NP) or L cells. Moreover, this downregulation could be blocked by either anti-CD46 or anti-H antibodies. The H-mediated CD46 downregulation is reversible and restricted to CD46 since expression of other surface markers (CD3, CD14, CD47 and CD63) is unaffected. It is apparently not mediated in a protein kinase (PK) A- or PKC-dependent manner. Altogether, our results provide an unequivocal demonstration that interaction between the extracellular domains of CD46 and MV-H is sufficient to trigger CD46 downregulation.
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Genetic and antigenic properties of Dobrava virus: a unique member of the Hantavirus genus, family Bunyaviridae
More LessWe examined the genetic and antigenic properties of Dobrava (DOB) virus, a hantavirus associated with severe haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Europe. Cloning and sequence analyses revealed the DOB M segment to consist of 3644 nucleotides, with a coding capacity of 1134 amino acids in the virus complementary-sense RNA (cRNA). Seven potential asparagine-linked glycosylation sites were identified in the M segment gene product, one in the G2 and six in the G1 coding regions. The S segment is 1667 nucleotides long, and has a single ORF in the cRNA capable of encoding a protein of 428 amino acids. Phylogenetic comparisons of the M and S segments of DOB virus to those of other hantaviruses indicated that DOB virus is similar to, but clearly distinct from Hantaan (HTN) and Seoul (SEO) viruses. Certain G2-specific, but not G1-specific monoclonal antibodies to HTN virus reacted to the same titre with DOB and homologous viral antigen. Plaque-reduction neutralization tests indicated that, of the sera tested, only antisera to SEO virus were able to neutralize DOB virus to a titre greater than 1:10; however, this neutralization titre was eightfold lower than that observed with homologous SEO virus. The data reported here confirm that DOB virus is a unique species in the Hantavirus genus, family Bunyaviridae.
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Measles virus phosphoprotein (P) requires the NH2- and COOH-terminal domains for interactions with the nucleoprotein (N) but only the COOH terminus for interactions with itself
More LessA mammalian two-hybrid system was used to characterize protein-protein interactions between the measles virus nucleoprotein (N) and phosphoprotein (P). Progressive deletions at both the amino- and carboxy-termini of P facilitated the mapping of two distinct domains on P that are important for interaction with N: (i) a domain mapping predominantly within the C-terminal 100 amino acids and (ii) a domain composed of the extreme amino-terminal residues. Using the same two-hybrid assay, we discovered that the P protein interacts strongly with itself. In contrast to the N-P interaction, only a single C-proximal domain of P was essential for P-P interaction.
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In vivo induction of apoptosis by influenza virus
More LessIntranasal exposure of mice to influenza virus led to cell death in bronchial/bronchiolar epithelial cells, alveolar cells and lymphoid cells. These cells displayed fragmentation of nuclei and chromatin condensation. Nick end-labelling of DNA in situ confirmed that such apoptotic cells had fragmented DNA. These results suggest that the influenza virus induces apoptosis in vivo.
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Varicella-zoster virus induces apoptosis in cell culture
More LessApoptosis is an active mechanism of cell death which can be initiated in response to various stimuli including virus infections. In this work, we demonstrate that lytic infection by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a human herpesvirus, is characterized by nuclear fragmentation of DNA into oligonucleosomal fragments and by chromatin condensation. In vitro, VZV-induced cell death is actually mediated by apoptosis. The mechanisms developed by cells to protect themselves against apoptosis could be one of the parameters allowing the establishment of virus latency. In the case of VZV, which can remain latent in sensory ganglia, we have not yet identified a cellular or viral protein which could play this protective role, since the observed apoptosis mechanism seems to be independent from Bcl-2, the most frequently described inhibitor of apoptosis.
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Pseudorabies virus early protein 0 transactivates the viral gene promoters
More LessPseudorabies virus (PRV) early protein 0 (EP0) contains the RING finger domain with homology to the immediate-early (IE) protein ICP0 of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). EP0 was detected by indirect immunofluorescence in the nuclei of the cells transfected with EP0 expression plasmid as is the case in cells infected with PRV. In transient expression assays, EP0 trans-activated the PRV IE, thymidine kinase (TK) and glycoprotein X (gX) promoters, indicating that EP0, like ICP0 of HSV-1, is a transactivating protein.
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Disruption of PML-associated nuclear bodies during human cytomegalovirus infection
More LessPML is a protein associated with discrete spherical structures within the nucleus of normal cells. A defect in PML expression is observed in acute promyelocytic leukaemia as a consequence of a chromosomal translocation involving the genes encoding PML and the α retinoic acid receptor (RARα). Disruption of PML bodies also occurs during herpes simplex virus infection after the immediate early protein Vmw110 has become associated with PML bodies. In this study, we followed the fate of PML bodies in human fibroblasts during the course of a human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Disruption of PML bodies was observed to be dependent on de novo CMV gene expression and to occur within 4 h post-infection, concomitant with the onset of CMV IE gene expression. Although a transient increase in the number of PML bodies could be observed in some cells, PML exists predominantly as a diffuse nuclear protein during both the early and late stages of CMV infection. Although the function of PML bodies is still uncertain, their disruption may be important for efficient herpes virus replication.
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DNA sequence and transcriptional analysis of the glycoprotein M gene of murine cytomegalovirus
We have characterized the gene encoding the murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) homologue of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL100 open reading frame (ORF) that encodes the HCMV glycoprotein M (gM) molecule. It was identified based on its collinearity with MCMV homologues of the HCMV UL99, UL102, UL103 and UL104 ORFs which lie in the HindIII G fragment of the K181 strain of MCMV. Sequencing of a 2.3 kb EcoRI-BamHI subfragment of the EcoRI G fragment adjacent to the EcoRI A fragment revealed the presence of the complete MCMV gM ORF and two incomplete ORFs, which corresponded to homologues of HCMV UL99 and UL102. The MCMV gM ORF consists of 1059 nucleotides and is expressed as a 1.2 kb transcript at late times post-infection. To precisely characterize the gM transcript, the 5′ and 3′ ends were mapped. It was found that the transcript initiates at nucleotides 740 or 745, and that the site of polyadenylation at nucleotide 1961 occurs downstream of the second potential polyadenylation signal located at nucleotide 1934. Based on these findings the MCMV gM is predicted to consist of 353 residues and when compared with HCMV gM has a 47% level of identity. Of great interest is the finding that the MCMV gM amino acid sequence is completely conserved among six isolates of MCMV that had been shown to exhibit considerable variation both in the MCMV glycoprotein B and the immediate-early 1 gene-encoded pp89 molecule. Thus, this glycoprotein appears to be antigenically conserved.
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Structure and properties of a herpesvirus of turkeys recombinant in which US1, US10 and SORF3 genes have been replaced by a lacZ expression cassette
More LessIn the process of generating an insertional mutant of herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) expressing lacZ at the protein kinase (PK) locus, we isolated a recombinant which contained an intact PK gene but the short unique regions US1, US10 and SORF3 had been deleted and replaced by the lacZ cassette. Moreover, the virus contained duplicate copies of gD, gI and gE in an opposite orientation flanking lacZ, US2 and PK which were contiguous. These results are of interest in relation to the flexibility of the short unique segment (Us) and of the inverted repeats flanking Us of the alpha-herpesviruses. The recombinant expressed β-galactosidase and was genetically stable in vitro and in vivo. Chickens inoculated with the virus developed antibodies to HVT antigens and to β-galactosidase but the replication of the recombinant in vivo was impaired in comparison to parental HVT as shown by a reduction in the proportion of infected lymphocytes.
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Mutations in the human papillomavirus type 16 E2 protein identify multiple regions of the protein involved in binding to E1
More LessHuman papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) DNA replicates episomally and requires two virally expressed proteins, E1 and E2. The E1 protein has both helicase and ATPase activities and is absolutely required for viral DNA replication. The E2 protein is a potent transcriptional activator and greatly increases viral DNA replication by colocalizing E1 to the origin of replication. Recently, we characterized a region of the E2 protein essential for the binding to E1. In this study we have analysed in further detail the nature of the association between E1 and E2. Using an extensive set of E2 mutant proteins we have identified two widely separate regions of the E2 protein which are essential for binding to E1. Interestingly, two E2 mutants which fail to bind E1 also fail to activate gene expression, indicating the existence of multifunctional domains on the E2 protein. In addition, cotransfection of E1 with E2 significantly increases E2 transcriptional activity on an heterologous promoter.
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Pseudorecombination and complementation between potato yellow mosaic geminivirus and tomato golden mosaic geminivirus
More LessPseudorecombinants made by exchanging the cloned, infectious genome components (DNAs A and B) of potato yellow mosaic geminivirus (PYMV) and the common strain (cs) of tomato golden mosaic geminivirus (csTGMV) are not infectious in their common host Nicotiana benthamiana. In an N. benthamiana leaf disc assay neither PYMV DNA A nor TGMV DNA A trans-replicated each other’s DNA B component. The ability of PYMV and TGMV to mediate the systemic movement of each other’s DNA A was investigated following co-inoculation of N. benthamiana with both genome components of one virus (the helper virus) and DNA A of the other virus (the dependent virus). Movement of the dependent virus DNA A in both cases illustrates interchangeability between the DNA B-encoded movement proteins of New World geminiviruses which infect solanaceous hosts. We have studied this genetic interchangeability further in separate co-agroinoculation experiments with N. benthamiana plants using TGMV DNA A to complement mutations in PYMV open reading frame (ORF) AC2, which encodes a protein that trans-activates the expression of virion sense promoters, and in PYMV ORF AC3, which specifies a protein that enhances viral DNA replication. TGMV DNA A complemented a PYMV AC2 mutant and restored its infectivity and it also complemented a PYMV AC3 mutant and restored the reduced DNA phenotype.
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Characterization of cocksfoot mottle sobemovirus genomic RNA and sequence comparison with related viruses
More LessThe genome of cocksfoot mottle virus (CfMV) is a positive-sense ssRNA molecule of 4082 nucleotides as revealed by sequencing the entire genome. The 5′-untranslated region of the genome is 69 nucleotides and the 3′-untranslated region is 225 nucleotides in length. The coding region contains four open reading frames (ORFs). The organization of CfMV ORFs differs significantly from that of the previously sequenced sobemoviruses southern bean mosaic virus and rice yellow mottle virus. ORF1 encodes a protein having a calculated molecular mass of 12.3 kDa. The function of this protein is unknown. The next ORF codes for the putative VPg and serine protease. The ORF2a product consists of 568 amino acids, with a calculated molecular mass of 60.9 kDa. The replicase of CfMV is translated as part of a polyprotein by –1 ribosomal frameshifting in ORF2a. The calculated molecular mass of the transframe protein is 103.4 kDa. ORF3 encodes the 27.6 kDa coat protein. This has been verified by amino acid sequencing of the CfMV coat protein N terminus. Northern blots of total RNA from CfMV-infected barley leaves reveal the 4.1 kb genomic RNA band and one virus-specific band of 1.2 kb, which may represent a subgenomic RNA for coat protein synthesis.
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Inhibition of brome mosaic virus (BMV) amplification in protoplasts from transgenic tobacco plants expressing replicable BMV RNAs
More LessTransgenic tobacco plants (V123 plants) expressing a set of full-length brome mosaic virus (BMV) genomic RNAs from the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter were produced. The accumulation level of BMV RNAs in V123 plant cells was approximately 1% of that in non-transgenic tobacco protoplasts inoculated with BMV RNAs. The level of BMV RNA in V123 protoplasts did not increase after inoculating the protoplasts with BMV RNAs, whereas V123 protoplasts supported the accumulation of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) RNAs to a level similar to that in non-transgenic tobacco protoplasts after inoculation with CMV RNA. Such BMV-specific resistance was also observed in protoplasts from V12 plants expressing full-length BMV RNA1 and RNA2, both of which are required and sufficient for BMV RNA replication. On the other hand, protoplasts from M12 plants, expressing truncated BMV RNA1 and RNA2 in which the 3′ 200 nucleotides required for BMV RNA replication were deleted, exhibited weaker resistance to infection with BMV RNA than V12 protoplasts, although the accumulation level of truncated BMV RNA1 and RNA2 in M12 protoplasts was higher than that of BMV RNA1 and RNA2 and V12 protoplasts. These results suggest that expression of BMV RNA replicons is involved in the induction of resistance, rather than high-level accumulation of BMV RNAs and/or their encoded proteins.
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Sequence analysis of pothos latent virus genomic RNA
More LessThe complete genomic sequence of pothos latent virus (PoLV) has been determined. The genome organization is very similar to that of tombusviruses. The genome is 4415 nucleotides long and contains five ORFs. The 5′ ORF (ORF 1) encodes a protein with a predicted molecular mass of 25 kDa and readthrough of its amber stop codon results in an 84 kDa protein (ORF 2). ORF 3 encodes the 40 kDa capsid protein. Two nested ORFs (ORFs 4 and 5) in different reading frames encode 27 and 14 kDa proteins, respectively. Amino acid sequence alignments revealed significant similarities between the readthrough portion of ORF 2 and the coat protein (ORF 3) of PoLV and the corresponding proteins of several tombusviruses. Conversely, the predicted products of ORFs 1, 4 and 5 showed only limited similarity to the equivalent tombusvirus proteins. These results support the conclusion that PoLV is a new but atypical member of the family Tombusviridae.
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The nucleotide sequence of cowpea mottle virus and its assignment to the genus Carmovirus
More LessThe genome of cowpea mottle virus (CPMoV) is a positive ssRNA of 4029 nucleotides with six major open reading frames (ORFs). A non-coding region of 34 nucleotides precedes the first AUG. ORF1 encodes a 25 kDa polypeptide of unknown function and ORF2 encodes a 56 kDa putative RNA replicase. Like other members of carmoviruses, suppression of the amber termination codon of ORF1 would produce a read-through polypeptide of 83 kDa. ORF3 and ORF4 encode two small proteins of 7.8 and 9.8 kDa, respectively. ORF5 encodes the 40 kDa capsid protein. ORF6 is located within ORF5 but is in a different frame and has no postulated function. CPMoV RNA is blocked at the 5′ end and is not polyadenylated at the 3′ end. Comparison of the physicochemical properties, genomic arrangement, and predicted amino acid sequences with those of other viruses justify the assignment of CPMoV to the genus Carmovirus, family Tombusviridae.
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Sequence of RNA 2 of a nematode-transmissible isolate of tobacco rattle virus
More LessTobacco rattle virus (TRV) isolate PPK20 is transmitted by Paratrichodorus pachydermus nematodes. The factor(s) determining vector transmissibility has been shown to be located on TRV RNA 2. Sequence determination revealed that PPK20 RNA 2 contains three open reading frames encoding the coat protein (cp) and proteins with molecular masses of 29.4 and 32.8 kDa. The 29.4 and 32.8 kDa protein-coding genes showed no significant sequence similarity to any other known tobravirus gene. A full-length cDNA of PPK20 RNA 2 cloned between the 35S promoter and nos terminator infected plants when co-inoculated with PPK20 RNA 1. Deletions in the reading frames of the 29.4 and 32.8 kDa proteins revealed that these sequences are dispensable for replication of PPK20 RNA 2 in plants. Subgenomic RNAs for translation of cp and the putative 29.4 and 32.8 kDa proteins were detected in infected leaves. The possible role of PPK20 RNA 2 nonstructural genes in TRV vector transmission is discussed.
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Expression of the turnip yellow mosaic virus proteinase in Escherichia coli and determination of the cleavage site within the 206 kDa protein
More LessThe large non-structural polyprotein (206 kDa) of turnip yellow mosaic tymovirus (TYMV) undergoes auto-cleavage, producing N- and C-terminal proteins. Here we show that the viral proteinase responsible for this event is active when produced in Escherichia coli, as monitored in Western blots by examining the generation of the C-terminal cleavage product after induction by IPTG. The outer boundaries and critical amino acids of the proteinase domain were characterized by deletion analysis and site-directed mutagenesis. A miniproteinase of 273 residues resulting from combined N- and C- terminal deletions still performed efficient cleavage. Sequence analysis of the bacterially-purified C-terminal cleavage product indicated that cleavage occurs between Ala1259 and Thr1260 of the non-structural protein.
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Infectivity of algal viruses studied by chlorophyll fluorescence
More LessAlgal virus infection proceeds via the specific recognition of the host cell wall, penetration of the cell wall and transfer of genetic material into the cytoplasm of the host cell. This process is similar to that which occurs when bacteriophage infect bacteria so that techniques and concepts developed to study bacteriophage are applicable to algal virus studies. By measuring virus-induced changes in chlorophyll fluorescence we have redefined classical studies on the distribution of infectivity. We show that infectivity does not follow a Poisson distribution with a fixed mean, n. By analysing the infectivity of algal viruses over a broad range of virus:cell ratios we have obtained a corrected Poisson distribution that reflects the probability of multiple virus particles attached per cell and is equally applicable to algal viruses and bacteriophage.
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