bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Subset of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus GP
3
Glycoprotein Is Released into the Culture Medium of Cells as a Non-Virion-Associated and Membrane-Free (Soluble) Form
Authors: Mardassi Helmi , Gonin Patrick , Gagnon Carl A. , Massie Bernard , Dea Serge
Published: December 2019

The GP
3
protein of the IAF-Klop strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) was expressed in 293 cells by a recombinant human type 5 adenovirus carrying the open reading frame 3 gene. The protein exhibited a molecular mass of 42 kDa and comigrated with GP
3
expressed in PRRSV-infected MARC-145 cells. Removal of N-linked glycans from GP
3
resulted in a 27-kDa protein (P3), confirming its highly glycosylated nature. Pulse-chase experiments carried out either in the context of PRRSV infection or upon individual expression of GP
3
in 293 cells showed that the protein remains completely endo-β-
N
-acetylglucosaminidase H-sensitive even after 4 h of synthesis. Thus, the transport of GP
3
was restricted to the premedial Golgi compartment, presumably the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, a minor fraction of GP
3
was found to be secreted in the culture medium as a soluble membrane-free form. This released protein (sGP
3
) was readily identified upon individual expression of GP
3
in 293 cells as well as in the context of PRRSV infection, albeit at lower levels. The sGP
3
migrated as a smear and displayed a molecular mass ranging from 43 to 53 kDa. The unglycosylated form of sGP
3
comigrated with its intracellular deglycosylated counterpart, suggesting that the release from the cell of a subset of GP
3
did not result from cleavage of a putative membrane-anchor sequence. Strikingly, unlike GP
3
, the sGP
3
acquired Golgi-specific modifications of its carbohydrate side chains and folded into a disulfide-linked homodimer. Brefeldin A treatment completely abolished the release of sGP
3
, suggesting that the ER-to-Golgi compartment is an obligatory step in cellular secretion of sGP
3
. In contrast, 10 mM monensin did not prevent sGP
3
release but inhibited the terminal glycosylation that confers on the protein its diffuse pattern. Since GP
3
was found to be nonstructural in the case of the North American strain, secretion of a minor fraction of GP
3
might be an explanation for its high degree of immunogenicity in infected pigs. Furthermore, this secreted protein might be relevant as a model for further studies on the cellular subcompartments involved in the sorting of proteins to the extracellular milieu.
Mouse Adenovirus Type 1 Early Region 1A Is Dispensable for Growth in Cultured Fibroblasts
Authors: Ying Baoling , Smith Kimberley , Spindler Katherine R.
Published: December 2019

Mouse adenovirus type 1 (MAV-1) mutants with deletions of conserved regions of early region 1A (E1A) or with point mutations that eliminate translation of E1A were used to determine the role of E1A in MAV-1 replication. MAV-1 E1A mutants expressing no E1A protein grew to titers comparable to wild-type MAV-1 titers on mouse fibroblasts (3T6 fibroblasts and fibroblasts derived from
Rb
+/+,
Rb
+/−, and
Rb
−/− transgenic embryos). To test the hypothesis that E1A could induce a quiescent cell to reenter the cell cycle, fibroblasts were serum starved to stop DNA replication and cellular replication and then infected with the E1A mutant and wild-type viruses. All grew to equivalent titers. Steady-state levels of MAV-1 early mRNAs (E1A, E1B, E2, E3, and E4) from 3T6 cells infected with wild-type or E1A mutant virus were examined by Northern analysis. Steady-state levels of mRNAs from the mutant-infected cells were comparable to or greater than the levels found in wild-type virus infections for most of the early regions and for two late genes. The E2 mRNA levels were slightly reduced in all mutant infections relative to wild-type infections. E1A mRNA was not detected from infections with the MAV-1 E1A null mutant,
pm
E109, or from infections with similar MAV-1 E1A null mutants,
pm
E112 and
pm
E113. The implications for the lack of a requirement of E1A in cell culture are discussed.
In Vitro Cell-Free Conversion of Noninfectious Moloney Retrovirus Particles to an Infectious Form by the Addition of the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Surrogate Envelope G Protein
Authors: Abe Akihiro , Chen Shin-Tai , Miyanohara Atsushi , Friedmann Theodore
Published: December 2019

In the absence of envelope gene expression, retrovirus packaging cell lines expressing Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV)
gag
and
pol
genes produce large amounts of noninfectious virus-like particles that contain reverse transcriptase, processed Gag protein, and viral RNA (
gag-pol
RNA particles). We demonstrate that these particles can be made infectious in an in vitro, cell-free system by the addition of a surrogate envelope protein, the G spike glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-G). The appearance of infectivity is accompanied by physical association of the G protein with the immature, noninfectious virus particles. Similarly, exposure in vitro of wild-type VSV-G to a fusion-defective pseudotyped virus containing a mutant VSV-G markedly increases the infectivity of the virus to titers similar to those of conventional VSV-G pseudotyped viruses. Furthermore, similar treatment of an amphotropic murine leukemia virus significantly allows infection of BHK cells not otherwise susceptible to infection with native amphotropic virus. The partially cell-free virus maturation system reported here should be useful for studies aimed at the preparation of tissue-targeted retrovirus vectors and will also aid in studies of nucleocapsid-envelope interactions during budding and of virus assembly and virus-receptor interactions during virus uptake into infected cells. It may also represent a potentially useful step toward the eventual development of a completely cell-free retrovirus assembly system.
Multiple Virulence Determinants of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Cell Culture
Authors: Baranowski Eric , Sevilla Noemi , Verdaguer Nuria , Ruiz-Jarabo Carmen M. , Beck Ewald , Domingo Esteban
Published: December 2019

Hypervirulent variants of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) of serotype C arise upon serial cytolytic or persistent infections in cell culture. A specific mutation in the internal ribosome entry site of persistent FMDV was previously associated with enhanced translation initiation activity that could contribute to the hypervirulent phenotype for BHK-21 cells. Here we report that several hypervirulent FMDV variants arising upon serial cytolytic passage show an invariant internal ribosome entry site but have a number of mutations affecting structural and nonstructural viral proteins. The construction of chimeric type O-type C infectious transcripts has allowed the mapping of a major determinant of hypervirulence to the viral capsid. Tissue culture-adapted FMDV displayed enhanced affinity for heparin, but binding to cell surface heparan sulfate moieties was not required for expression of the hypervirulent phenotype in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Virulence was identical or even higher for glycosaminoglycan-deficient CHO cells than for wild-type CHO cells. FMDV variants with decreased affinity for heparin were selected from a high-binding parental population and analyzed. Substitutions associated with decreased heparin binding were located at positions 173 of capsid protein VP3 and 144 of capsid protein VP1. These substitutions had a moderate effect on virulence for BHK-21 cells but completely abrogated infection of CHO cells. The comparative results with several FMDV isolates show that (i) increased affinity for heparin and alterations in cell tropism may be mediated by a number of independent sites on the viral capsid and (ii) the same capsid modifications may have different effects on different cell types.
Determinants for Sensitivity of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coreceptor CXCR4 to the Bicyclam AMD3100
Authors: Labrosse Béatrice , Brelot Anne , Heveker Nikolaus , Sol Nathalie , Schols Dominique , De Clercq Erik , Alizon Marc
Published: December 2019

The bicyclam AMD3100 is a potent and selective inhibitor of the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2). It was recently demonstrated that the compound inhibited HIV entry through CXCR4 but not through CCR5. Selectivity of AMD3100 for CXCR4 was further indicated by its lack of effect on HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection mediated by the CCR5, CCR3, Bonzo, BOB, and US28, coreceptors. AMD3100 completely blocked HIV-1 infection mediated by a mutant CXCR4 bearing a deletion of most of the amino-terminal extracellular domain. In contrast, relative resistance to AMD3100 was conferred by different single amino acid substitutions in the second extracellular loop (ECL2) or in the adjacent membrane-spanning domain, TM4. Only substitutions of a neutral residue for aspartic acid and of a nonaromatic residue for phenylalanine (Phe) were associated with drug resistance. This suggests a direct interaction of AMD3100 with these amino acids rather than indirect effects of their mutation on the CXCR4 structure. The interaction of aspartic acids of ECL2 and TM4 with AMD3100 is consistent with the positive charge of bicyclams, which might block HIV-1 entry by preventing electrostatic interactions between CXCR4 and the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120. Other features of AMD3100 must account for its high antiviral activity, in particular the presence of an aromatic linker between the cyclam units. This aromatic group might engage in hydrophobic interactions with the Phe-X-Phe motifs of ECL2 or TM4. These results confirm the importance of ECL2 for the HIV coreceptor activity of CXCR4.
Intestinal Intraepithelial Lymphocytes Are Primed for Gamma Interferon and MIP-1β Expression and Display Antiviral Cytotoxic Activity despite Severe CD4+T-Cell Depletion in Primary Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Mattapallil Joseph J. , Smit-McBride Zeljka , McChesney Michael , Dandekar Satya
Published: December 2019

Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) are a critical effector component of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and play an important role in mucosal immunity as well as in the maintenance of the epithelial cell integrity and barrier function. The objective of this study was to determine whether simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of rhesus macaques would cause alterations in the immunophenotypic profiles of IEL and their mitogen-specific cytokine (gamma interferon [IFN-γ] and MIP-1β) responses (by flow cytometry) and virus-specific cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) activity (by the chromium release assay). Virally infected IEL were detected through the entire course of SIV infection by in situ hybridization. Severe depletion of CD4+single-positive and CD4+CD8+double-positive T cells occurred early in primary SIV infection, which was coincident with an increased prevalence of CD8+T cells. This was in contrast to a gradual depletion of CD4+T cells in peripheral blood. The CD8+IEL were the primary producers of IFN-γ and MIP-1β and were found to retain their potential to produce both IFN-γ and MIP-1β through the entire course of SIV infection. SIV-specific CTL activity was detected in primary IEL at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-SIV infection. These results demonstrated that IEL may be involved in generating antiviral immune responses early in SIV infection and in suppressing viral infection thereafter. Alterations in homeostasis in epithelia due to severe CD4+T-cell depletion accompanied by changes in the cytokine and chemokine production by IEL may play a role in the enteropathogenesis of SIV infection.
Transfectant Influenza A Viruses with Long Deletions in the NS1 Protein Grow Efficiently in Vero Cells
Authors: Egorov Andrej , Brandt Sabine , Sereinig Sabine , Romanova Julia , Ferko Boris , Katinger Dietmar , Grassauer Andreas , Alexandrova Galina , Katinger Hermann , Muster Thomas
Published: December 2019

We established a reverse genetics system for the nonstructural (NS) gene segment of influenza A virus. This system is based on the use of the temperature-sensitive (
ts
) reassortant virus 25A-1. The 25A-1 virus contains the NS gene from influenza A/Leningrad/134/57 virus and the remaining gene segments from A/Puerto Rico (PR)/8/34 virus. This particular gene constellation was found to be responsible for the
ts
phenotype. For reverse genetics of the NS gene, a plasmid-derived NS gene from influenza A/PR/8/34 virus was ribonucleoprotein transfected into cells that were previously infected with the 25A-1 virus. Two subsequent passages of the transfection supernatant at 40°C selected viruses containing the transfected NS gene derived from A/PR/8/34 virus. The high efficiency of the selection process permitted the rescue of transfectant viruses with large deletions of the C-terminal part of the NS1 protein. Viable transfectant viruses containing the N-terminal 124, 80, or 38 amino acids of the NS1 protein were obtained. Whereas all deletion mutants grew to high titers in Vero cells, growth on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and replication in mice decreased with increasing length of the deletions. In Vero cells expression levels of viral proteins of the deletion mutants were similar to those of the wild type. In contrast, in MDCK cells the level of the M1 protein was significantly reduced for the deletion mutants.
The Second Extracellular Loop of CXCR4 Determines Its Function as a Receptor for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Willett Brian J. , Adema Karen , Heveker Nikolaus , Brelot Anne , Picard Laurent , Alizon Marc , Turner Julie D. , Hoxie James A. , Peiper Stephen , Neil James C. , Hosie Margaret J.
Published: December 2019

The feline homolog of the α-chemokine receptor CXCR4 has recently been shown to support cell-cell fusion mediated by CXCR4-dependent strains of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and strains of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) that have been selected for growth in the Crandell feline kidney (CrFK) cell line. In this report we demonstrate that expression of CXCR4 alone is sufficient to render cells from diverse species permissive for fusion with FIV-infected cells, suggesting that CXCR4 is the sole receptor for CrFK-tropic strains of FIV, analogous to CD4-independent strains of HIV-2. To identify the regions of CXCR4 involved in fusion mediated by FIV, we screened panels of chimeric CXCR4 molecules for the ability to support fusion with FIV-infected cells. Human CXCR4 supported fusion more efficiently than feline CXCR4 and feline/human CXCR4 chimeras, suggesting that the second and third extracellular loops of human CXCR4 contain a critical determinant for receptor function. Rat/human CXCR4 chimeras suggested that the second extracellular loop contained the principal determinant for receptor function; however, chimeras constructed between human CXCR2 and CXCR4 revealed that the first and third loops of CXCR4 contribute to the FIV Env binding site, as replacement of these domains with the corresponding domains of CXCR2 rendered the molecule nonfunctional in fusion assays. Mutation of the DRY motif and the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail of CXCR4 did not affect the ability of the molecule to support fusion, suggesting that neither signalling via G proteins nor receptor internalization was required for fusion mediated by FIV; similarly, truncation of the N terminus of CXCR4 did not affect the function of the molecule as a receptor for FIV. CXCR4-transfected feline cells were rendered permissive for infection with both the CrFK-tropic PET isolate of FIV and the CXCR4-dependent RF strain of HIV-1, and susceptibility to infection correlated well with ability to support fusion. The data suggest that the second extracellular loop of CXCR4 is the major determinant of CXCR4 usage by FIV.
Critical Role for CD4+T Cells in Controlling Retrovirus Replication and Spread in Persistently Infected Mice
Authors: Hasenkrug Kim J. , Brooks Diane M. , Dittmer Ulf
Published: December 2019

Reactivations of persistent viral infections pose a significant medical problem in immunocompromised cancer, transplant, and AIDS patients, yet little is known about how persistent viral infections are immunologically controlled. Here we describe a mouse model for investigating the role of the immune response in controlling a persistent retroviral infection. We demonstrate that, following recovery from acute Friend virus infection, a small number of B cells evade immunological destruction and harbor persistent virus. In vivo depletions of T-cell subsets in persistently infected mice revealed a critical role for CD4+T cells in controlling virus replication, spread to the erythroid lineage, and induction of erythroleukemia. The CD4+T-cell effect was independent of CD8+T cells and in some cases was also independent of virus-neutralizing antibody responses. Thus, the CD4+T cells may have had a direct antiviral effect. These results may have relevance for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections where loss of CD4+T cells is associated with an increase in HIV replication, reactivation of persistent viruses, and a high incidence of virus-associated cancers.
Apoptosis Induction by the Binding of the Carboxyl Terminus of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 gp160 to Calmodulin
Authors: Ishikawa Hiroki , Sasaki Masafumi , Noda Satoshi , Koga Yasuhiro
Published: December 2019

The role of calmodulin (CaM) in apoptosis induced by gp160 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 was investigated with cells undergoing single-cell killing. These cells were found to express, under the control of an inducible promoter, wild-type gp160 or mutant gp160 devoid of various lengths of the carboxyl terminus. Immunoprecipitation accompanied by immunoblotting revealed binding of CaM to wild-type gp160 but not to mutant gp160 bearing a carboxyl terminus with a deletion spanning more than five amino acid residues. A significant coenzyme activity was detected in the CaM bound to gp160 even in the presence of a Ca2+chelater, EGTA. The cells forming this gp160-CaM complex exhibited an elevated intracellular Ca2+level followed by DNA fragmentation, which is a hallmark of apoptosis, and finally cell killing, while the cells not forming this complex did not show any significant elevation in Ca2+level or DNA fragmentation. These results thus indicated that CaM plays a key role in gp160-induced apoptosis.
Role of the Transcription Start Site Core Region and Transcription Factor YY1 in Rous Sarcoma Virus Long Terminal Repeat Promoter Activity
Authors: Mobley Constance M. , Sealy Linda
Published: December 2019

The Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) long terminal repeat (LTR) contains a transcriptionally potent enhancer and promoter that functions in a variety of cell types. Previous studies have identified the viral sequences required for enhancer activity, and characterization of these elements has provided insight into the mechanism of RSV transcriptional activity. The objective of this study was to better define the RSV LTR promoter by examining the transcription start site core (TSSC) region. Deletion of the TSSC resulted in complete loss of transcriptional activity despite the presence of a functional TATA box, suggesting that the TSSC is required for viral expression. Homologies within the TSSC to the DNA binding motif of YY1 suggested that it might regulate promoter activity. YY1 has been shown to regulate transcription in some cellular genes and viral promoters by binding to sites overlapping the transcription start site. Gel shift assays using YY1 antibody identified YY1 as one of three complexes that bound to the TSSC. Mutation of the YY1 binding site reduced RSV transcriptional activity by more than 50%, suggesting that YY1, in addition to other TSSC-binding factors, regulates RSV transcription. Furthermore, in vitro transcription assays performed with
Drosophila
embryo extract (devoid of YY1 activity) showed decreased levels of RSV transcription, while transient transfection experiments overexpressing YY1 demonstrated that YY1 could transactivate the RSV LTR ∼6- to 7-fold. We propose that the TSSC plays a vital role in RSV transcription and that this function is partially carried out by the transcription factor YY1.
T-Cell-Independent Immunoglobulin G Responses In Vivo Are Elicited by Live-Virus Infection but Not by Immunization with Viral Proteins or Virus-Like Particles
Authors: Szomolanyi-Tsuda Eva , Le Quang P. , Garcea Robert L. , Welsh Raymond M.
Published: December 2019

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to viruses are generally assumed to be T-cell dependent (TD). Recently, however, polyomavirus (PyV) infection of T-cell-deficient (T-cell receptor β chain [TCR-β] −/− or TCR-β×δ −/−) mice was shown to elicit a protective, T-cell-independent (TI) antiviral IgM and IgG response. A repetitive, highly organized antigenic structure common to many TI antigens is postulated to be important in the induction of antibody responses in the absence of helper T cells. To test whether the repetitive structure of viral antigens is essential and/or sufficient for the induction of TI antibodies, we compared the abilities of three forms of PyV antigens to induce IgM and IgG responses in T-cell-deficient mice: soluble capsid antigens (VP1), repetitive virus-like particles (VLPs), and live PyV. Immunization with each of the viral antigens resulted in IgM production. VLPs and PyV elicited 10-fold-higher IgM titers than VP1, indicating that the highly organized, repetitive antigens are more efficient in IgM induction. Antigen-specific TI IgG responses, however, were detected only in mice infected with live PyV, not in VP1- or VLP-immunized mice. These results suggest that the highly organized, repetitive nature of the viral antigens is insufficient to account for their ability to elicit TI IgG response and that signals generated by live-virus infection may be essential for the switch to IgG production in the absence of T cells. Germinal centers were not observed in T-cell-deficient PyV-infected mice, indicating that the germinal center pathway of B-cell differentiation is TD even in the context of a virus infection.
ORF1a-Encoded Replicase Subunits Are Involved in the Membrane Association of the Arterivirus Replication Complex
Authors: van der Meer Yvonne , van Tol Hans , Krijnse Locker Jacomine , Snijder Eric J.
Published: December 2019

Among the functions of the replicase of equine arteritis virus (EAV; family
Arteriviridae
, order
Nidovirales
) are important viral enzyme activities such as proteases and the putative RNA polymerase and RNA helicase functions. The replicase is expressed in the form of two polyproteins (open reading frame 1a [ORF1a] and ORF1ab), which are processed into 12 nonstructural proteins by three viral proteases. In immunofluorescence assays, the majority of these cleavage products localized to the perinuclear region of the cell. A dense granular and vesicular staining was observed, which strongly suggested membrane association. By using confocal microscopy and double-label immunofluorescence, the distribution of the EAV replicase was shown to overlap with that of PDI, a resident protein of the endoplasmic reticulum and intermediate compartment. An in situ labeling of nascent viral RNA with bromo-UTP demonstrated that the membrane-bound complex in which the replicase subunits accumulate is indeed the site of viral RNA synthesis. A number of ORF1a-encoded hydrophobic domains were postulated to be involved in the membrane association of the arterivirus replication complex. By using various biochemical methods (Triton X-114 extraction, membrane purification, and sodium carbonate treatment), replicase subunits containing these domains were shown to behave as integral membrane proteins and to be membrane associated in infected cells. Thus, contribution to the formation of a membrane-bound scaffold for the viral replication-transcription complex appears to be an important novel function for the arterivirus ORF1a replicase polyprotein.
Viral Ribonucleoprotein Complex Formation and Nucleolar-Cytoplasmic Relocalization of Nucleolin in Poliovirus-Infected Cells
Authors: Waggoner Shelly , Sarnow Peter
Published: December 2019

The poliovirus 3′ noncoding region (3′NCR) is involved in the efficient synthesis of viral negative-stranded RNA molecules. A strong interaction between a 105-kDa host protein and the wild-type 3′NCR, but not with a replication-defective mutant 3′NCR, was detected. This 105-kDa protein was identified as nucleolin which predominantly resides in the nucleolus and has been proposed to function in the folding of rRNA precursor molecules. A functional role for nucleolin in viral genome amplification was examined in a cell-free extract which has been shown to support the assembly of infectious virus from virion RNA. At early times of viral gene expression, extracts depleted of nucleolin produced less infectious virus than extracts depleted of fibrillarin, another resident of the nucleolus, indicating a functional role of nucleolin in the early stages of the viral life cycle in this in vitro system. Immunofluorescence analysis of uninfected and infected cells showed a nucleocytoplasmic relocalization of nucleolin, but not of fibrillarin, in poliovirus-infected cells. Relocalization of nucleolin was not simply a consequence of virally induced inhibition of translation or transcription, because inhibitors of translation or transcription did not induce nucleolar-cytoplasmic relocalization of nucleolin. These findings suggest a novel virus-induced mechanism by which certain nucleolar proteins are selectively redistributed in infected cells.
Human Thymidine Kinase Can Functionally Replace Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Thymidine Kinase for Viral Replication in Mouse Sensory Ganglia and Reactivation from Latency upon Explant
Authors: Chen Shun-Hua , Cook W. James , Grove Kristie L. , Coen Donald M.
Published: December 2019

Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase exhibits a strikingly broad substrate specificity. It is capable of phosphorylating deoxythymidine and deoxyuridine as does human thymidine kinase, deoxycytidine as does human deoxycytidine kinase, the cytosolic kinase whose amino acid sequence it most closely resembles, and thymidylate as does human thymidylate kinase. Following peripheral inoculation of mice, viral thymidine kinase is ordinarily required for viral replication in ganglia and for reactivation from latency following ganglionic explant. To determine which activity of the viral kinase is important for replication and reactivation in mouse ganglia, recombinant viruses lacking viral thymidine kinase but expressing individual human kinases were constructed. Each recombinant virus expressed the appropriate kinase activity with early kinetics following infection of cultured cells. The virus expressing human thymidine kinase exhibited thymidine phosphorylation activity equivalent to ∼5% of that of wild-type virus in a quantitative plaque autoradiography assay. Nevertheless, it was competent for ganglionic replication and reactivation following corneal inoculation of mice. The virus expressing human thymidylate kinase was partially competent for these activities despite failing to express detectable thymidine kinase activity. The virus expressing human deoxycytidine kinase failed to replicate acutely in neurons or to reactivate from latency. Therefore, it appears that low levels of thymidine phosphorylation suffice to fulfill the role of the viral enzyme in ganglia and that this role can be partially fulfilled by thymidylate kinase activity alone.
Infectious Laryngotracheitis Herpesvirus Expresses a Related Pair of Unique Nuclear Proteins Which Are Encoded by Split Genes Located at the Right End of the ULGenome Region
Authors: Ziemann Katharina , Mettenleiter Thomas C. , Fuchs Walter
Published: December 2019

Avian infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) possesses an alphaherpesvirus type D DNA genome of ca. 155 kbp. Completion of our previous sequence analyses (W. Fuchs and T. C. Mettenleiter, J. Gen. Virol. 77:2221–2229, 1996) of the right end of the unique long (UL) genome region revealed the presence of two adjacent, presumably ILTV-specific genes, which were named UL0 and UL[−1] because of their location upstream of the conserved UL1 (glycoprotein L) gene. Transcriptional analyses showed that both genes are abundantly expressed during the late phase of the viral replication cycle and that both mRNAs are spliced by the removal of short introns close to their 5′ ends. Furthermore, the deduced gene products exhibit a moderate but significant homology of 28% to each other. The newly identified ILTV genes encode proteins of 63 kDa (UL0) and 73 kDa (UL[−1]), which both are predominantly localized in the nuclei of virus infected chicken cells. In summary, our results indicate that duplication of a spliced ILTV-specific gene encoding a nuclear protein has occurred during evolution of ILTV.
Increased Susceptibility of Diabetic Mice to Influenza Virus Infection: Compromise of Collectin-Mediated Host Defense of the Lung by Glucose?
Authors: Reading Patrick C. , Allison Janette , Crouch Erika C. , Anders E. Margot
Published: December 2019

The influence of diabetes on susceptibility to influenza virus infection was examined in a mouse model in which RIP-K
b
transgenic mice and their nontransgenic littermates were used as the diabetic and nondiabetic hosts, respectively. Influenza virus A/Phil/82 (H3N2) grew to significantly higher titers in the lungs of diabetic than nondiabetic mice. The extent of viral replication in the lungs was proportional to blood glucose levels in the mice at the time of infection, and the enhanced susceptibility of diabetic mice was reversed with insulin. Growth of A/HKx31 (H3N2) virus was also enhanced in diabetic mice, whereas the highly virulent strain A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) showed no difference in virus yields in diabetic and nondiabetic mice, even with low inocula. A/Phil/82 and A/HKx31 are sensitive to neutralization in vitro by the pulmonary collectin surfactant protein D (SP-D), whereas A/PR/8/34 is essentially resistant. Glucose is a ligand for SP-D, and neutralization of A/Phil/82 virus by SP-D was abolished in the presence of glucose at levels commonly found in diabetic mice. These findings suggest that in mice, and perhaps in humans, diabetes predisposes to influenza virus infection through compromise of collectin-mediated host defense of the lung by glucose.
Differential Expression of Nur77 Family Members in Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1-Infected Cells: Transactivation of theTR3/nur77Gene by Tax Protein
Authors: Chen Xiaolin , Zachar Vladimir , Chang Chawnshang , Ebbesen Peter , Liu Xiangdong
Published: December 2019

We analyzed the differential expression and regulation of three members of the Nur77 transcription factor family by the human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax protein. We have demonstrated that in both HTLV-1-infected cells and Tax-expressing JPX-9 cells,TR3/nur77is highly expressed, whereas neitherNOR-1norNOTexpression is detectable. Transient transfection analysis further confirmed the Tax transactivation of theTR3/nur77promoter but not theNOR-1promoter in different cell types. Furthermore, expression of a luciferase reporter gene driven by the NGFI-B (rat homolog of TR3/Nur77) response element (NBRE) provided evidence that Tax-mediated transactivation resulted in the induction of a functional protein. Cotransfection assays with theTR3/nur77promoter sequence or the NBRE binding motif together with a series of Tax mutants have shown that Tax-inducedTR3/nur77expression is mediated by CREB/ATF-related transcription factors.
Apoptosis in Feline Panleukopenia Virus-Infected Lymphocytes
Authors: Ikeda Yasuhiro , Shinozuka Junko , Miyazawa Takayuki , Kurosawa Kyoko , Izumiya Yoshihiro , Nishimura Yorihiro , Nakamura Kazuya , Cai Jinshun , Fujita Kentaro , Doi Kunio , Mikami Takeshi
Published: December 2019

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) was shown to induce apoptosis to feline lymphoid cells and to reduce the expression of interleukin-2 receptor α on the cells. FPLV-induced apoptosis might be a key element in the pathophysiology of atrophy of lymphoid tissues associated with feline panleukopenia caused by FPLV.
Ilarviruses Encode a Cucumovirus-Like 2b Gene That Is Absent in Other Genera within the
Bromoviridae
Authors: Xin Hong-Wu , Ji Liang-Hui , Scott Simon W. , Symons Robert H. , Ding Shou-Wei
Published: December 2019

We found that RNA 2 of the four ilarviruses sequenced to date encodes an additional conserved open reading frame (ORF), 2b, that overlaps the 3′ end of the previously known ORF, 2a. A novel RNA species of 851 nucleotides was found to accumulate to high levels in plants infected with spinach latent virus (SpLV). Further analysis showed that RNA 4A is a subgenomic RNA of RNA 2 and encodes all of ORF 2b. Moreover, a protein species of the size expected for SpLV ORF 2b was translated in vitro from the RNA 4A-containing virion RNAs. The data support the suggestion that the SpLV 2b protein is translated in vivo. The 2b gene of ilarviruses, which is not encoded by alfamoviruses and bromoviruses, shares several features with the previously reported cucumovirus 2b gene; however, their encoded proteins share no detectable sequence similarities. The evolutionary origin of the 2b gene is discussed.
Recombination in the 5′ Leader of Murine Leukemia Virus Is Accurate and Influenced by Sequence Identity with a Strong Bias toward the Kissing-Loop Dimerization Region
Authors: Mikkelsen Jacob Giehm , Lund Anders H. , Duch Mogens , Pedersen Finn Skou
Published: December 2019

Retroviral recombination occurs frequently during reverse transcription of the dimeric RNA genome. By a forced recombination approach based on the transduction of Akv murine leukemia virus vectors harboring a primer binding site knockout mutation and the entire 5′ untranslated region, we studied recombination between two closely related naturally occurring retroviral sequences. On the basis of 24 independent template switching events within a 481-nucleotide target sequence containing multiple sequence identity windows, we found that shifting from vector RNA to an endogenous retroviral RNA template during minus-strand DNA synthesis occurred within defined areas of the genome and did not lead to misincorporations at the crossover site. The nonrandom distribution of recombination sites did not reflect a bias for specific sites due to selection at the level of marker gene expression. We address whether template switching is affected by the length of sequence identity, by palindromic sequences, and/or by putative stem-loop structures. Sixteen of 24 sites of recombination colocalized with the kissing-loop dimerization region, and we propose that RNA-RNA interactions between palindromic sequences facilitate template switching. We discuss the putative role of the dimerization domain in the overall structure of the reverse-transcribed RNA dimer and note that related mechanisms of template switching may be found in remote RNA viruses.
Neutralization Profiles of Primary Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Isolates in the Context of Coreceptor Usage
Authors: Cecilia D. , KewalRamani Vineet N. , O’Leary Jeanne , Volsky Barbara , Nyambi Phillipe , Burda Sherri , Xu Serena , Littman Dan R. , Zolla-Pazner Susan
Published: December 2019

Most strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) which have only been carried in vitro in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (primary isolates) can be neutralized by antibodies, but their sensitivity to neutralization varies considerably. To study the parameters that contribute to the differential neutralization sensitivity of primary HIV-1 isolates, we developed a neutralization assay with a panel of genetically engineered cell lines (GHOST cells) that express CD4, one of eight chemokine receptors which function as HIV-1 coreceptors, and a Tat-dependent green fluorescent protein reporter cassette which permits the evaluation and quantitation of HIV-1 infection by flow cytometry. All 21 primary isolates from several clades could grow in the various GHOST cell lines, and their use of one or more coreceptors could easily be defined by flow cytometric analysis. Ten of these primary isolates, three that were CXCR4 (X4)-tropic, three that were CCR5 (R5)-tropic, and four that were dual- or polytropic were chosen for study of their sensitivity to neutralization by human monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Viruses from the X4-tropic category of viruses were first tested since they have generally been considered to be particularly neutralization sensitive. It was found that the X4-tropic virus group contained both neutralization-sensitive and neutralization-resistant viruses. Similar results were obtained with R5-tropic viruses and with dual- or polytropic viruses. Within each category of viruses, neutralization sensitivity and resistance could be observed. Therefore, sensitivity to neutralization appears to be the consequence of factors that influence the antibody-virus interaction and its sequelae rather than coreceptor usage. Neutralization of various viruses by the V3-specific monoclonal antibody, 447-52D, was shown to be dependent not only on the presence of the relevant epitope but also on its presentation. An epitope within the envelope of a particular virus is not sufficient to render a virus sensitive to neutralization by an antibody that recognizes that epitope. Moreover, conformation-dependent factors may overcome the need for absolute fidelity in the match between an antibody and its core epitope, permitting sufficient affinity between the viral envelope protein and the antibody to neutralize the virus. The studies indicate that the neutralization sensitivity of HIV-1 primary isolates is a consequence of the complex interaction between virus, antibody, and target cell.
Characterization of a Baculovirus-Encoded RNA 5′-Triphosphatase
Authors: Gross Christian H. , Shuman Stewart
Published: December 2019

Autographa californica
nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) encodes a 168-amino-acid polypeptide that contains the signature motif of the superfamily of protein phosphatases that act via a covalent cysteinyl phosphate intermediate. The sequence of the AcNPV phosphatase is similar to that of the RNA triphosphatase domain of the metazoan cellular mRNA capping enzyme. Here, we show that the purified recombinant AcNPV protein is an RNA 5′-triphosphatase that hydrolyzes the γ-phosphate of triphosphate-terminated poly(A); it also hydrolyzes ATP to ADP and GTP to GDP. The phosphatase sediments as two discrete components in a glycerol gradient: a 9.5S oligomer and 2.5S putative monomer. The 2.5S form of the enzyme releases
32
P
i
from 1 μM γ-
32
P-labeled triphosphate-terminated poly(A) with a turnover number of 52 min
−1
and converts ATP to ADP with
V
max
of 8 min
−1
and

K
m

of 25 μM ATP. The 9.5S oligomeric form of the enzyme displays an initial pre-steady-state burst of ADP and P
i
formation, which is proportional to and stoichiometric with the enzyme, followed by a slower steady-state rate of product formation (approximately 1/10 of the steady-state rate of the 2.5S enzyme). We surmise that the oligomeric enzyme is subject to a rate-limiting step other than reaction chemistry and that this step is either distinct from or slower than the rate-limiting step for the 2.5S enzyme. Replacing the presumptive active site nucleophile Cys-119 by alanine abrogates RNA triphosphatase and ATPase activity. Our findings raise the possibility that baculoviruses encode enzymes that cap the 5′ ends of viral transcripts synthesized at late times postinfection by a virus-encoded RNA polymerase.
The Epstein-Barr Virus Major Latent Promoter Qp Is Constitutively Active, Hypomethylated, and Methylation Sensitive
Authors: Tao Qian , Robertson Keith D. , Manns Angela , Hildesheim Allan , Ambinder Richard F.
Published: December 2019

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) is indispensable for viral DNA replication and episome maintenance in latency. Four promoters, Cp, Wp, Qp, and Fp, are known to drive EBNA1 expression. Here we show that the TATA-less Qp is constitutively active in a variety of EBV-positive [EBV(+)] tumors and cell lines, irrespective of the activities of other EBNA1 promoters, the type of viral latency, and the cell type. The transcription of highly regulated promoters such as the EBV Cp is known to be directly regulated by CpG methylation. To characterize the role of CpG methylation in the regulation of the constitutively active Qp, we performed bisulfite genomic sequencing and functional analyses using a methylation cassette transcriptional reporter assay. Twenty consecutive CpG sites (16 proximal to the Qp initiation site and 4 upstream of the adjacent Fp initiation site) were studied by bisulfite sequencing of DNA extracted from EBV(+) tumors and cell lines. Eighteen EBV(+) tumors of lymphoid (B, T, and NK cell) or epithelial origin and five Burkitt’s lymphoma cell lines were studied. The 16 CpG sites proximal to Qp were virtually all unmethylated, but the 4 CpG sites upstream of the Fp initiation site were variably methylated. The methylation cassette assay showed that in vitro methylation of the Qp cassette (−172 to +32) resulted in strong repression of Qp activity in transient transfection. Thus, Qp is susceptible to repression by methylation but was found to be consistently hypomethylated and expressed in all tumors and tumor-derived cell lines studied.
Resistance to Murine Hepatitis Virus Strain 3 Is Dependent on Production of Nitric Oxide
Authors: Pope M. , Marsden P. A. , Cole E. , Sloan S. , Fung L. S. , Ning Q. , Ding J. W. , Leibowitz J. L. , Phillips M. J. , Levy G. A.
Published: December 2019

The strain-specific spectrum of liver disease following murine hepatitis virus type 3 (MHV-3) infection is dependent on inflammatory mediators released by macrophages. Production of nitric oxide (NO) by macrophages has been implicated in resistance to a number of viruses, including ectromelia virus, vaccinia virus, and herpes simplex virus type 1. This study was undertaken to define the role of NO in MHV-3 infection. Gamma interferon-induced production of NO inhibited growth of MHV-3 in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). Viral inhibitory activity was reproduced by the NO donorS-nitroso-N-acetyl-dl-penicillamine (SNAP), whereasN-acetyl-dl-pencillamine (NAP), an inactive analog of SNAP, had no effect. Electron microscopy studies confirmed the inhibitory effects of NO on viral replication. Peritoneal macrophages isolated from A/J mice known to be resistant to MHV-3 produced a fivefold-higher level of NO and higher levels of mRNA transcripts of inducible NO synthase in response to gamma interferon than macrophages from susceptible BALB/cJ mice. SNAP inhibited growth of MHV-3 in macrophages from both strains of mice to similar degrees. In vivo inhibition of NO byN-monomethyl-l-arginine resulted in loss of resistance to MHV-3 in A/J mice. These results collectively demonstrate a defect in the production of NO in macrophages from susceptible BALB/cJ mice and define the importance of endogenous NO in resistance to MHV-3 infection in resistant A/J mice.
Mutations in both gp120 and gp41 Are Responsible for the Broad Neutralization Resistance of Variant Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 MN to Antibodies Directed at V3 and Non-V3 Epitopes
Authors: Park Eun Ju , Vujcic Luba K. , Anand Rita , Theodore Theodore S. , Quinnan Gerald V.
Published: December 2019

The escape of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from effects of neutralizing antibodies was studied by using neutralization-resistant (NR) variants generated by growing the neutralization-sensitive (NS) wild-type MN virus in the presence of human serum with neutralizing antibodies, more than 99% of which were directed at the V3 region of gp120. The variants obtained had broad neutralization resistance to human sera, without limitation with respect to the V3 specificity of the sera. The molecular basis for the resistance was evaluated with molecularly cloned viruses, as well as with pseudoviruses expressing envelope glycoproteins of the NS and NR phenotypes. Nucleotide sequence analyses comparing NS and NR clones revealed a number of polymorphisms, including six in the V1/V2 region, two in C4/V5 of gp120, three in the leucine zipper (LZ) domain of gp41, and two in the second external putative α-helix region of gp41. A series of chimeras from NS and NRenvgenes was constructed, and each was presented on pseudoviruses to locate the domain(s) which conferred the phenotypic changes. The neutralization phenotypes of the chimeric clones were found to be dependent on mutations in both the C4/V5 region of gp120 and the LZ region of gp41. Additionally, interaction between mutations in gp120 and gp41 was demonstrated in that a chimericenvgene consisting of a gp120 coding sequence from an NS clone and a gp41 sequence from an NR clone yielded a pseudovirus with minimal infectivity. The possible significance of predicted amino acid changes in these domains is discussed. The results indicate that polyvalent antibodies predominantly directed against V3 can induce NR through selection for mutations that alter interactions of other domains in the envelope complex.
The Ability of Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b To Transactivate Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transcription Depends on a Functional Kinase Domain, Cyclin T1, and Tat
Authors: Fujinaga Koh , Cujec Thomas P. , Peng Junmin , Garriga Judit , Price David H. , Graña Xavier , Peterlin B. Matija
Published: December 2019

By binding to the transactivation response element (TAR) RNA, the transcriptional transactivator (Tat) from the human immunodeficiency virus increases rates of elongation rather than initiation of viral transcription. Two cyclin-dependent serine/threonine kinases, CDK7 and CDK9, which phosphorylate the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II, have been implicated in Tat transactivation in vivo and in vitro. In this report, we demonstrate that CDK9, which is the kinase component of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) complex, can activate viral transcription when tethered to the heterologous Rev response element RNA via the regulator of expression of virion proteins (Rev). The kinase activity of CDK9 and cyclin T1 is essential for these effects. Moreover, P-TEFb binds to TAR only in the presence of Tat. We conclude that Tat–P-TEFb complexes bind to TAR, where CDK9 modifies RNA polymerase II for the efficient copying of the viral genome.
Molecular Basis for the Generation in Pigs of Influenza A Viruses with Pandemic Potential
Authors: Ito Toshihiro , Couceiro J. Nelson S. S. , Kelm Sørge , Baum Linda G. , Krauss Scott , Castrucci Maria R. , Donatelli Isabella , Kida Hiroshi , Paulson James C. , Webster Robert G. , Kawaoka Yoshihiro
Published: December 2019

Genetic and biologic observations suggest that pigs may serve as “mixing vessels” for the generation of human-avian influenza A virus reassortants, similar to those responsible for the 1957 and 1968 pandemics. Here we demonstrate a structural basis for this hypothesis. Cell surface receptors for both human and avian influenza viruses were identified in the pig trachea, providing a milieu conducive to viral replication and genetic reassortment. Surprisingly, with continued replication, some avian-like swine viruses acquired the ability to recognize human virus receptors, raising the possibility of their direct transmission to human populations. These findings help to explain the emergence of pandemic influenza viruses and support the need for continued surveillance of swine for viruses carrying avian virus genes.