bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reticuloendotheliosis type C and primate type D oncoretroviruses are members of the same receptor interference group
Authors: Koo H M , Gu J , Varela-Echavarria A , Ron Y , Dougherty J P
Published: January 2020

The reticuloendotheliosis viruses (REVs), originally isolated from avian species, constitute a group of retroviruses which are more closely related to mammalian retroviruses than to other avian retroviruses. The envelope glycoproteins of members of the REV group display a striking amino acid sequence identity with a group of primate oncoretroviruses which belong to a single receptor interference group and include all of the type D and some type C primate oncoretroviruses. Members of the REV group also have a broad host range which covers most avian cells and some mammalian cells, including those of simian and human origin. In view of this broad host range and the envelope sequence similarities, we investigated the cross-interference pattern between REV and primate virus groups to determine whether they utilized the same receptor. Superinfection experiments using a vector virus containing an Escherichia coli lacZ gene showed that reticuloendotheliosis and simian oncoretroviruses constitute a single receptor interference group on both human and canine cells and indicate that the viruses bind to the same receptor to initiate infection. These results suggest that this receptor binding specificity has been maintained over a wide range of retroviruses and may be responsible for the broad spread of these retroviruses between different orders of vertebrates.
Comparison of the sequence of the gene encoding African swine fever virus attachment protein p12 from field virus isolates and viruses passaged in tissue culture
Authors: Angulo A , Viñuela E , Alcamí A
Published: January 2020

Comparison of the amino acid sequence of the African swine fever virus attachment protein p12 from different field virus isolates, deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the gene, revealed a high degree of conservation. No mutations were found after adaptation to Vero cells, and a polypeptide with similar characteristics was present in an IBRS2-adapted virus. The sequence of the 5' flanking region was conserved among the isolates, whereas sequences downstream of the gene were highly variable in length and contained direct repeats in tandem that may account for the deletions found in different isolates. Protein p12 was synthesized in swine macrophages infected with all of the viruses tested.
Binding of the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus A59 to its receptor expressed from a recombinant vaccinia virus depends on posttranslational processing of the receptor glycoprotein
Authors: Pensiero M N , Dveksler G S , Cardellichio C B , Jiang G S , Elia P E , Dieffenbach C W , Holmes K V
Published: January 2020

Recently, we showed that a murine member of the carcinoembryonic antigen family of glycoproteins serves as a cellular receptor (MHVR) for the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus A59 (MHV-A59) (G. S. Dveksler, M. N. Pensiero, C. B. Cardellichio, R. K. Williams, G.-S. Jiang, K. V. Holmes, and C. W. Dieffenbach, J. Virol. 65:6881-6891, 1991; R. K. Williams, G.-S. Jiang, and K. V. Holmes, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:5533-5536, 1991). To examine the role of posttranscriptional modification of MHVR on virus-receptor interactions, a vaccinia virus-based expression system was employed. Expression from the vaccinia virus recombinant (Vac-MHVR) in BHK-21 cells resulted in high levels of MHVR glycoprotein on the cell surface and made these cells susceptible to MHV-A59 infection. Nonglycosylated core MHVR proteins were made in Vac-MHVR-infected BHK-21 cells in the presence of tunicamycin by in vitro translation of MHVR mRNA in a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system in the absence of microsomal membranes and by expression of an N-terminal deletion clone of MHVR lacking its signal peptide. These three nonglycosylated MHVR proteins were recognized by polyclonal antibody against affinity-purified receptor but did not bind antireceptor monoclonal antibody (MAb) CC1 or MHV-A59 virions. Partial glycosylation of MHVR, either expressed in Vac-MHVR-infected cells treated with monensin or synthesized by in vitro translation with microsomal membranes, restored both the MAb CC1- and the virus-binding activities of the MHVR glycoprotein. Deletion of 26 amino acids at the carboxyl terminus of MHVR resulted in a secreted protein which was able to bind MAb CC1 and MHV-A59. These results suggest that either a carbohydrate moiety is an element of the MHVR-binding site(s) for virus and MAb CC1 or a posttranslational membrane-associated process is required for functional conformation of the receptor glycoprotein.
Induction of cytotoxic T cells to a cross-reactive epitope in the hepatitis C virus nonstructural RNA polymerase-like protein
Authors: Shirai M , Akatsuka T , Pendleton C D , Houghten R , Wychowski C , Mihalik K , Feinstone S , Berzofsky J A
Published: January 2020

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) have been found to mediate protection in vivo against certain virus infections. CTL also may play an important role in control of infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV), but no CTL epitopes have yet been defined in any HCV protein. The nonstructural protein with homology to RNA polymerase should be a relatively conserved target protein for CTL. To investigate the epitope specificity of CTL specific for this protein, we used 28 peptides from this sequence to study murine CTL. Mice were immunized with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the HCV nonstructural region corresponding to the flavivirus NS5 gene (RNA polymerase), and the primed spleen cells were restimulated in vitro with peptides. CTL from H-2d mice responded to a single 16-residue synthetic peptide (HCV 2422 to 2437). This relatively conserved epitope was presented by H-2d class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules to conventional CD4- CD8+ CTL but was not recognized by CTL restricted by H-2b. Moreover, exon shuffle experiments using several transfectants expressing recombinant Dd/Ld and Kd demonstrated that this peptide is seen in association with alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of the Dd class I MHC molecule. This peptide differs from the homologous segments of this nonstructural region from three other HCV isolates by one residue each. Variant peptides with single amino acid substitutions were made to test the effect of each residue on the ability to sensitize targets. Neither substitution affected recognition. Therefore, these conservative mutations affected peptide interaction neither with the Dd class I MHC molecule nor with the T-cell receptor. Because these CTL cross-react with all four sequenced isolates of HCV in the United States and Japan, if human CTL display similar cross-reactivity, this peptide may be valuable for studies of HCV diagnosis and vaccine development. Our study provides the first evidence that CD8+ CTL can recognize an epitope from the HCV sequence in association with a class I MHC molecule.
The transmembrane glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 induces syncytium formation in the absence of the receptor binding glycoprotein
Authors: Perez L G , O'Donnell M A , Stephens E B
Published: January 2020

To study the intracellular transport and biological properties of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmembrane glycoprotein (TM; gp41), we constructed a truncated envelope gene in which the majority of the coding sequences for the surface glycoprotein (SU; gp120) were deleted. Transient expression of this truncated env gene in primate cells resulted in the biosynthesis of two proteins with M(r)s of 52,000 and 41,000, respectively. Immunofluorescence studies with antibodies to the HIV-1 TM protein indicated that the intracellular and surface localization of these proteins were indistinguishable from those of the native HIV-1 gp120-gp41 complex. These results indicate that the oligosaccharide processing and cell surface transport of the HIV-1 TM protein were not dependent on the presence of the receptor binding subunit, gp120. Syncytium formation was readily detected upon expression of the deleted HIV-1 env gene into COS and CD4+ HeLa cell lines, suggesting that in the absence of gp120, the TM protein retained biological activity. This observation was confirmed by infection of primate and mouse cell lines with a recombinant vaccinia virus (vvgp41) expressing the truncated HIV-1 env gene. These results strongly suggest that (i) the two biological activities of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein can occur independently and (ii) the association of the two glycoprotein subunits may restrict the fusion activity of the transmembrane component to CD4+ cells.
Mutant p53 can substitute for human papillomavirus type 16 E6 in immortalization of human keratinocytes but does not have E6-associated trans-activation or transforming activity
Authors: Sedman S A , Hubbert N L , Vass W C , Lowy D R , Schiller J T
Published: January 2020

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E6 and E7 are selectively retained and expressed in HPV16-associated human genital tumors. E6 is active in several cell culture assays, including transformation of NIH 3T3 cells, trans activation of the adenovirus E2 promoter, and cooperation with E7 to immortalize normal human keratinocytes. Biochemically, the HPV16 E6 protein has been shown to bind to tumor suppressor protein p53 in vitro and induce its degradation in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. To examine the relationship between the various biological activities of E6 and inactivation of p53, we tested the abilities of dominant negative mutants of p53 to substitute functionally for E6 in the three cell culture assays. While wild-type p53 inhibited keratinocyte proliferation, both mouse and human mutant p53s, in conjunction with E7, increased proliferation of the keratinocytes, resulting in generation of immortalized lines. However, in contrast to E6, mutant p53 was unable to induce transformation or trans activate the adenovirus E2 promoter in NIH 3T3 cells. These results suggest that inactivation of wild-type p53 is necessary for HPV-induced immortalization of human keratinocytes and that different or additional activities are required for E6-dependent transformation and trans activation of NIH 3T3 cells.
UL34, the target of the herpes simplex virus U(S)3 protein kinase, is a membrane protein which in its unphosphorylated state associates with novel phosphoproteins
Authors: Purves F C , Spector D , Roizman B
Published: January 2020

Previous studies (F. C. Purves, D. Spector, and B. Roizman, J. Virol. 65:5757-5764, 1991) have shown that the protein kinase encoded by the U(S)3 gene mediates posttranslational modification of a viral phosphoprotein with an apparent M(r) of 30,000 encoded by the UL34 gene. Here we report the following. (i) UL34 protein is not phosphorylated in cells infected with recombinant viruses deleted in the U(S)3 gene. (ii) Several new phosphoproteins (apparent M(r)s, 25,000 to 35,000) are present in cells infected with recombinant viruses deleted in the U(S)3 gene or with viruses carrying a mutation in the UL34 gene that precluded phosphorylation of the UL34 gene product by the U(S)3 protein kinase, but not in cells infected under conditions which permit phosphorylation of the UL34 protein. These proteins are genetically unrelated to the product of the UL34 gene. (iii) Polyclonal rabbit anti-UL34 protein serum precipitated not only the UL34 protein but also the other (25,000- to 35,000-M(r)) phosphoproteins from lysates of cells infected with U(S)3- virus. (iv) The UL34 gene product is a membrane protein inasmuch as the polyclonal anti-UL34 serum reacted with surfaces of intact, unfixed, infected cells and the antigen-antibody complex formed in this reaction contained the UL34 protein. (v) Small amounts of the UL34 protein were present in virions of infected cells. We conclude that the UL34 gene product is a membrane protein exclusively phosphorylated by the U(S)3 protein kinase which can either directly or indirectly form complexes with several other phosphoproteins. Experiments done thus far suggest that these phosphoproteins are present only under conditions in which the UL34 protein is not phosphorylated.
Host range mutants of v-src: alterations in kinase activity and substrate interactions
Authors: Liebl E C , England L J , DeClue J E , Martin G S
Published: January 2020

Host range mutants of Schmidt-Ruppin v-src that transform chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) but not Rat-2 cells were generated previously by linker insertion-deletion mutagenesis (J. E. DeClue and G. S. Martin, J. Virol. 63:542-554, 1989). One of these mutants, SRX5, in which Tyr-416 is substituted by the sequence Ser Arg Asp, retained high levels of kinase activity in vitro and in vivo, both in CEF and in Rat-2 cells. Phosphorylation of p36 (the calpactin I heavy chain) was drastically reduced in cells expressing SRX5 src, suggesting that the phenotype of SRX5 results from an alteration in substrate recognition by the src kinase. Three mutants, SPX1, SHX13, and XD6, containing linker insertions or small deletions within the src homology 2 (SH2) region, induced reduced levels of kinase activity in both CEF and Rat-2 cells. However, the residual levels of kinase activity in Rat-2 cells were above the threshold at which wild-type pp60v-src transforms Rat-2 cells, indicating that the reduction in kinase activity was not sufficient to account for the failure to transform. Cells infected by these mutants exhibited reduced levels of phosphorylation of 120- and 62-kDa proteins. We have reported elsewhere (M. F. Moran, C. A. Koch, D. Anderson, C. Ellis, L. England, G. S. Martin, and T. Pawson, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:8622-8626, 1990) that ras GTPase-activating protein GAP and associated protein p62 are not tyrosine phosphorylated in Rat-2 cells expressing SHX13 or XD6. The transformation defect in Rat-2 cells may result from the failure to phosphorylate those proteins. The fifth mutant, XD4, contains a deletion which removes all of the src homology 3 (SH3) and most of the SH2 sequences of src. The protein encoded by XD4 is active as a kinase when expressed in CEF, indicating that in CEF the SH2 and SH3 regions of v-src are not necessary for kinase activity and transformation. The XD4 src product is not tyrosine phosphorylated and is inactive as a kinase when expressed in Rat-2 cells. Thus, host cell factors can affect the tyrosine phosphorylation and activity of the v-src kinase in the absence of the SH2 and SH3 regions. These results indicate that the host-dependent transformation phenotype results from alterations in src kinase activity and substrate specificity.
Mutational analysis of the promoter required for influenza virus virion RNA synthesis
Authors: Li X , Palese P
Published: January 2020

An in vitro RNA synthesis system was established in which the influenza virus virion (minus-sense) RNA was made from the synthetic plus-sense RNA (cRNA) template by the purified viral polymerase complex. The cRNA promoter was studied by mutational analysis using the in vitro system, and on the basis of these experiments, the first 11 nucleotides of the 3' noncoding sequence were found to contain the minimum promoter required for virion RNA synthesis. The addition of extra nucleotides at the 3' end decreased the promoter activity of the templates, indicating that the viral polymerase does not recognize an internal promoter efficiently. The wild-type and mutated RNA templates were also tested in vivo by using the ribonucleoprotein transfection system. In contrast to the in vitro system, it was found that the majority of mutations at the 3'-terminal sequence significantly decreased or abolished chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) expression. These results suggest that the cRNA promoter overlaps other essential cis elements required for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression in vivo.
Simian virus 40 large T-antigen function is required for induction of tetraploid DNA content during lytic infection
Authors: Friedrich T D , Laffin J , Lehman J M
Published: January 2020

Infection of quiescent CV-1 cells with simian virus 40 mutant tsA30 at 37 degrees C resulted in the induction of two rounds of cellular DNA synthesis in T-antigen-positive cells, as previously described for wild-type simian virus 40. Following infection with tsA30 at 40.5 degrees C, T-antigen-positive cells were induced into S phase and reached a diploid G2 DNA content; however, a second S phase was not initiated. The failure of tsA30-infected CV-1 cells to enter tetraploid S phase at 40.5 degrees C identifies a T-antigen function, distinct from T-antigen functions responsible for stimulation of cell DNA synthesis, which is required for initiation of a second round of DNA synthesis without mitosis.
Attenuation of influenza A virus by insertion of a foreign epitope into the neuraminidase
Authors: Castrucci M R , Bilsel P , Kawaoka Y
Published: January 2020

As the initial step in generating a live attenuated influenza A vaccine, we attempted to substitute an unrelated amino acid sequence (FLAG) for a portion of the neuraminidase (NA) molecule in influenza virus A/WSN/33 (H1N1), using a recently developed technique (reverse genetics [W. Luytjes, M. Krystal, M. Enami, J. D. Parvin, and P. Palese, Cell 59:1107-1113, 1989]). This technique allowed us to rescue the NA molecules containing the FLAG sequence (Asp-Tyr-Lys-Asp-Asp-Asp-Asp-Lys) at the bottom portion of the boxlike head of the molecule immediately above the stalk region (amino acid residues 63 to 70 [WSN NA numbering]). An anti-FLAG monoclonal antibody immunoprecipitated the NA molecules with the FLAG sequence, demonstrating that the foreign epitope was exposed on the virion surface. The dose of FLAG-containing transfectant virus required to kill 50% of mice was 100-fold higher than the required dose of parent virus. The FLAG sequence was stably maintained in the NA molecule during passage of the virus in tissue culture and in mice. These findings demonstrate that live influenza A vaccine strains with stable attenuating mutations in the coding region of the viral genes can be generated by reverse genetics.
Partial reverse transcripts in virions from human immunodeficiency and murine leukemia viruses
Authors: Trono D
Published: January 2020

Reverse transcription of the retroviral genome is thought to start after virions enter target cells. Purified preparations of human immunodeficiency virus were found to contain virus-specific DNA, detectable by polymerase chain reaction amplification. This DNA resulted from reverse transcription in newly assembled virus particles and not from contamination by cellular DNA, because virions contained a striking excess of early versus late transcripts and because the accumulation of these products was sensitive to 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (zidovudine) treatment of producer cells. A similar observation was made with murine amphotropic retrovirus particles. It is therefore likely that all retroviruses contain partial reverse transcripts.
Identification and genetic definition of a bovine papillomavirus type 1 E7 protein and absence of a low-copy-number phenotype exhibited by E5, E6, or E7 viral mutants
Authors: Jareborg N , Alderborn A , Burnett S
Published: January 2020

The bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) genome replicates as a multiple-copy plasmid in murine C127 cells transformed to neoplasia by virus infection or by transfection with BPV-1 DNA. It was reported previously that BPV-1 genomes harboring frameshift mutations in the E6 or E7 open reading frame (ORF) replicated in C127 cells transformed by these mutants at a low copy number. Furthermore, the characterization of a BPV-1 mRNA in which the E6 and E7 ORFs were spliced together in frame has led to the assumption that an E6/7 fusion protein is expressed in virus-transformed C127 cells. To define the number and nature of the E6 and E7 gene products expressed in BPV-1-transformed cells, we performed immunoprecipitation experiments with antisera raised to bacterially expressed BPV-1 E6 and E7 fusion proteins. By employing cell culture conditions which induce BPV-1 E2 transactivator expression and viral early region transcription in virus-transformed C127 cell lines, we detected a single immunoprecipitated E6 protein species with an apparent molecular mass of 17 kDa and a single E7 protein species with an apparent molecular mass of 15 kDa. To characterize further these E6 and E7 proteins, C127 cells were transformed by transfection with BPV-1 genomes containing mutations predicted to prevent expression of specific E6 or E7 gene products, and the transformed cells were subjected to immunoprecipitation analysis with the E6 or E7 antiserum. The results of these experiments confirmed that the E6 and E7 ORFs encode distinct proteins and failed to establish the existence of an E6/7 fusion protein. We did not find a significant difference in the viral genome copy number between clonal C127 cell lines transformed by wild-type BPV-1 or by mutant viral genomes unable to express the E6 or the E7 protein. Furthermore, in contrast to two previous reports suggesting that expression of the BPV-1 E5 gene was required for the establishment or maintenance of a high viral plasmid copy number, we observed a two- to fourfold increase over wild-type BPV-1 plasmid copy number in C127 cells transfected with a BPV-1 E5-minus mutant and subsequently selected by neoplastic focus formation.
The matrix protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is required for incorporation of viral envelope protein into mature virions
Authors: Yu X , Yuan X , Matsuda Z , Lee T H , Essex M
Published: January 2020

Accumulating evidence suggests that the matrix (MA) protein of retroviruses plays a key role in virus assembly by directing the intracellular transport and membrane association of the Gag polyprotein. In this report, we show that the MA protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is also critical for the incorporation of viral Env proteins into mature virions. Several deletions introduced in the MA domain (p17) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gag polyprotein did not greatly affect the synthesis and processing of the Gag polyprotein or the formation of virions. Analysis of the viral proteins revealed normal levels of Gag and Pol proteins in these mutant virions, but the Env proteins, gp120 and gp41, were hardly detectable in the mutant virions. Our data suggest that an interaction between the viral Env protein and the MA domain of the Gag polyprotein is required for the selective incorporation of Env proteins during virus assembly. Such an interaction appears to be very sensitive to conformational changes in the MA domain, as five small deletions in two separate regions of p17 equally inhibited viral Env protein incorporation. Mutant viruses were not infectious in T cells. When mutant and wild-type DNAs were cotransfected into T cells, the replication of wild-type virus was also hindered. These results suggest that the incorporation of viral Env protein is a critical step for replication of retroviruses and can be a target for the design of antiviral strategies.
Dependence of minus-strand synthesis on complete genomic packaging in the double-stranded RNA bacteriophage phi 6
Authors: Frilander M , Gottlieb P , Strassman J , Bamford D H , Mindich L
Published: January 2020

Bacteriophage phi 6 has a segmented genome consisting of three pieces of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The viral procapsid is the structure that packages plus strands, synthesizes the complementary negative strands to form dsRNA, and then transcribes dsRNA to form plus-strand message. The minus-strand synthesis of a particular genomic segment is dependent on prior packaging of the other segments. The 5' end of the plus strand is necessary and sufficient for packaging, while the normal 3' end is necessary for synthesis of the negative strand. We have now investigated the ability of truncated RNA segments which lack the normal 3' end of the molecules to stimulate the synthesis of minus strands of the other segments. Fragments missing the normal 3' ends were able to stimulate the minus-strand synthesis of intact heterologous segments. Minus-strand synthesis of one intact segment could be stimulated by the presence of two truncated nonreplicating segments. The 5' fragments of each single-stranded genomic segment can compete with homologous full-length single-stranded genomic segments in minus-strand synthesis reactions, suggesting that there is a specific binding site in the procapsid for each segment.
Envelope glycoprotein and CD4 independence of vpu-facilitated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 capsid export
Authors: Yao X J , Göttlinger H , Haseltine W A , Cohen E A
Published: January 2020

The effect of vpu on the release of human immunodeficiency type 1 capsid proteins was examined in the presence or absence of virus-encoded envelope glycoproteins as well as in cells which constitutively express either the CD4 or CD8 protein. The results show that vpu-mediated facilitated export of capsid proteins from HeLa cells does not require expression of the envelope glycoprotein. The experiments also show that export of virus capsid proteins from HeLa cells facilitated by vpu is not affected by coexpression of either the CD4 or CD8 protein. The vpu protein acts in trans to facilitate export of virus capsid proteins from HeLa cells.
Herpesviruses encode an unusual protein-serine/threonine kinase which is nonessential for growth in cultured cells
Authors: de Wind N , Domen J , Berns A
Published: January 2020

We have performed large-scale random oligonucleotide insertion mutagenesis on a 41-kbp genomic segment derived from the unique long (UL) region of the alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PRV). This procedure has resulted in the generation of a series of PRV strains, each carrying a single gene whose termination of translation is induced by the inserted oligonucleotide. To relate the genes that were involved in the mutagenization to genes previously identified in herpes simplex virus type 1, the prototype alphaherpesvirus, we have performed cross-hybridization studies. In this way, we have mapped the location of the homolog of a gene which was described to have sequence characteristics of a eukaryotic phosphotransferase. We characterized the phenotype of a mutant PRV strain lacking this putative phosphotransferase also the phenotype of a PRV strain lacking, in addition to the UL-encoded putative phosphotransferase, the protein kinase encoded within the unique short region of the virus. To assess the enzymatic activity of the UL region-encoded phosphotransferase, we expressed the gene transiently in a eukaryotic expression system. Immunoprecipitation of the protein followed by kinase assays and phosphoamino acid analyses revealed protein-serine/threonine kinase activity. Implications of sequence divergence of this protein from classical protein-serine/threonine kinases for kinase structure and function are discussed in view of the recent resolution of the structure of the catalytic domain of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.
Examination of sera from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals for antibodies reactive with peptides corresponding to the principal neutralizing determinant of HIV-1 gp120 and for in vitro neutralizing activity
Authors: Warren R Q , Anderson S A , Nkya W M , Shao J F , Hendrix C W , Melcher G P , Redfield R R , Kennedy R C
Published: January 2020

Sera from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals from the United States and Tanzania were examined for antibody reactivity to four synthetic peptides which corresponded to the principal neutralizing determinant from the V3 region of HIV-1 gp120. We observed that the majority of sera from both countries contained antibodies reactive with a V3 peptide whose sequence is based on that of the HIV-1 MN isolate. We were unable to establish a relationship between the presence of V3-reactive antibodies, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and neutralization of homologous HIV-1 isolates, in sera from either the United States or Tanzania. We observed that some sera which contained high antibody titers to the V3 peptides failed to neutralize HIV-1, while others with no antibody reactivity to the panel of V3 peptides exhibited in vitro neutralizing activity. These results suggest that neutralizing epitopes exist outside the V3 loop and that the presence of V3-reactive antibodies in sera does not imply in vitro neutralization of the homologous HIV-1 isolate. In addition, it appears that the V3 loop may consist of both neutralizing and nonneutralizing epitopes. The identification of neutralizing as well as nonneutralizing epitopes will be important for the design of potential HIV-1 vaccines.
Proteolytic cleavage of the reovirus sigma 3 protein results in enhanced double-stranded RNA-binding activity: identification of a repeated basic amino acid motif within the C-terminal binding region
Authors: Miller J E , Samuel C E
Published: January 2020

The reovirus capsid protein sigma 3 was examined for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding activity by Northwestern (RNA-protein) blot analysis. Treatment of virion-derived sigma 3 protein with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease led to an increase in the dsRNA-binding activity associated with the C-terminal fragment of the protein. Recombinant C-terminal fragments of the sigma 3 protein were expressed in Escherichia coli from the S4 cDNA of reovirus serotype 1. These truncated sigma 3 proteins displayed proteolytic processing and dsRNA-binding activity similar to those observed for native, virion-derived sigma 3 protein as measured by Northwestern blot analysis. Construction of a modified pET3c vector, pET3Exo, allowed the production of 3'-terminal deletions of the S4 cDNA by using exonuclease III and rapid screening of the induced truncated sigma 3 proteins. An 85-amino-acid domain within the C-terminal portion of the sigma 3 protein which was responsible for dsRNA-binding activity was identified. The 85-amino-acid domain possessed a repeated basic amino acid motif which was conserved in all three serotypes of reovirus. Deletion of one of the basic motifs, predicted to be an amphipathic alpha-helix, destroyed dsRNA-binding activity.
Identification and characterization of fusion and processing domains of the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 envelope glycoprotein
Authors: Freed E O , Myers D J
Published: January 2020

The envelope glycoprotein of the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) is synthesized as a polyprotein precursor which is proteolytically processed to produce the mature surface and transmembrane envelope glycoproteins. The processed envelope glycoprotein species are responsible for the fusion between the viral envelope and the host cell membrane during the infection process. The envelope glycoprotein also induces syncytium formation between envelope-expressing cells and receptor-bearing cells. To characterize domains of the HIV-2 envelope glycoprotein involved in membrane fusion and in proteolytic processing, we introduced single amino acid mutations into the region of the HIV-2 surface glycoprotein corresponding to the principal neutralizing determinant (the V3 loop) of HIV-1, the putative HIV-2 envelope precursor-processing sequence, and the hydrophobic amino terminus of the HIV-2 transmembrane envelope glycoprotein. The effects of these mutations on syncytium formation, virus infectivity, envelope expression, envelope processing, and CD4 binding were analyzed. Our results suggest that the V3-like region of the HIV-2 surface glycoprotein and the hydrophobic amino terminus of the transmembrane glycoprotein are HIV-2 fusion domains and characterize the effects of mutations in the HIV-2 envelope glycoprotein precursor-processing sequence.
Effect of reciprocal complementation of two defective human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) molecular clones on HIV-1 cell tropism and virulence
Authors: Lori F , Hall L , Lusso P , Popovic M , Markham P , Franchini G , Reitz M S
Published: January 2020

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) displays both interstrain and intrastrain genetic variability. Virus populations with extensive microheterogeneity have been defined as swarms or quasispecies. Many of the genomes within HIV-1 swarms appear to be defective in one or more genes required for viral replication. It is unclear to what extent defective viruses play a role in the process of HIV-1 infection or in the pathogenesis of AIDS. We have isolated two biologically active HIV-1 clones: LW 12.3, which contains defects in the vif and vpr genes, and MN ST.1, which has a defect in the vpu gene. LW 12.3 is unable to replicate in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The growth of MN-ST.1 in SupT1 cells is marked by a 3-week lag in extracellular virus production and by the presence of unusually abundant viral buds. We demonstrate here that coinfection of PBMC with these two partially defective HIV-1 clones extends the cellular host range of LW 12.3, significantly increases the replication rate of both viral genomes, and eliminates the delay in production observed with the vpu-defective MN ST.1. When the lesions in vpr and vif of LW 12.3 are repaired, the resultant virus grows normally in PBMC. This is also the case when only vif is repaired, indicating that complementation of LW 12.3 in PBMC by MN ST.1 is mediated by vif in trans. The reciprocal complementation results in a dramatic increase of HIV-1 virulence. This two-component model represents a simplified version of the in vivo situation and illustrates one way in which interaction of defective viruses could increase the spread of infection and progression of disease.
Hematopoietic target cells of anemogenic subgroup C versus nonanemogenic subgroup A feline leukemia virus
Authors: Dean G A , Groshek P M , Mullins J I , Hoover E A
Published: January 2020

Feline leukemia viruses (FeLVs) belonging to interference subgroup C induce fatal anemia resembling human pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). Subgroup A FeLVs, although closely related genetically to FeLVs of subgroup C, do not induce PRCA. The determinants for PRCA induction by a molecularly cloned prototype subgroup C virus (FeLV-Sarma-C [FSC]) have been localized to the N-terminal 241 amino acids of the surface glycoprotein (SU) gp70. To investigate whether the anemogenic activity of FSC reflects a unique capacity to infect erythroid progenitor cells, we used correlative immunogold, immunofluorescence, and cytological staining to study prospectively the hemopoietic cell populations infected by either FSC or FeLV-FAIDS-61E-A (F6A), a prototype of subgroup A virus. The results demonstrated that although only FSC-infected animals developed erythrocyte aplasia, the env SU and the major core protein (p27) were expressed in a surprisingly large fraction of the lymphoid, erythroid, and myeloid lineage marrow cells in both FSC- and F6A-infected cats. Between days 8 and 17 postinoculation, gp70 and p27 were detected in 43 to 73% of erythroid, 25 to 75% of lymphoid, and 35 to 50% of myeloid lineage cells, regardless of whether the cats were infected with FSC or F6A. Thus, anemogenic subgroup C and nonanemogenic subgroup A FeLVs have similar hemopoietic cell tropism and infection kinetics, despite their divergent effects on erythroid progenitor cell function. Acute anemia induction by subgroup C FeLV, therefore, does not reflect a unique tropism for marrow erythroid cells but rather indicates a unique cytopathic effect of the SU on erythroid progenitor cells.
Multimerization of ICP0, a herpes simplex virus immediate-early protein
Authors: Chen J , Panagiotidis C , Silverstein S
Published: January 2020

ICP0, a herpes simplex virus immediate-early gene product, is a highly phosphorylated nuclear protein that is a potent activator of virus and host genes. Using biochemical and genetic assays employing plasmids encoding mutant forms of ICP0 and a recombinant adenovirus that expresses ICP0, we mutant forms of ICP0 and a recombinant adenovirus that expresses ICP0, we provide evidence that the protein multimerizes. Some mutant forms of ICP0 were transdominant and interfered with activation of a target reporter gene or with complementation of an ICP0-minus virus.
Persistence of azidothymidine-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA genotypes in posttreatment sera
Authors: Albert J , Wahlberg J , Lundeberg J , Cox S , Sandström E , Wahren B , Uhlén M
Published: January 2020

The rate of reversion from azidothymidine (zidovudine; AZT) resistance was studied by direct sequencing of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virion RNA in sera from four patients who discontinued long-term treatment. Before cessation of treatment, all four patients harbored HIV-1 with multiple mutations reported to confer AZT resistance. In three patients, slow reversions of these mutations starting after 9, 9, and 18 months were detected. The slow reversions indicate that AZT-resistant HIV-1 variants are likely to have an unaltered replicative capacity and pathogenic potential. Furthermore, there were discrepancies between the in vivo RNA sequences and the sequences of virus isolates, indicating that the isolation procedure may select for nonrepresentative virus variants.
Adeno-associated virus sensitizes HeLa cell tumors to gamma rays
Authors: Walz C , Schlehofer J R , Flentje M , Rudat V , zur Hausen H
Published: January 2020

Infection with the helper virus-dependent human parvovirus adeno-associated virus (AAV) is known to interfere with cellular transformation in vitro and oncogenesis in vivo. Here we report on sensitization to gamma irradiation by AAV infection of cells in culture and of tumors established from HeLa cells grafted into immunodeficient (nude) mice: infection of HeLa cells with AAV type 2 enhanced cell killing and reduced plating efficiency after irradiation compared with uninfected cells. Similarly, HeLa cell tumors in nude mice displayed a reduced growth rate and were more sensitive to gamma irradiation when the animals were infected with AAV type 2 prior to or after tumor cell inoculation. Since no pathogenicity is known for AAV, the ability of this virus to render radiotherapy of human tumor cells more efficient may up open novel approaches in cancer treatment.
The minor capsid protein VP1 of the autonomous parvovirus minute virus of mice is dispensable for encapsidation of progeny single-stranded DNA but is required for infectivity
Authors: Tullis G E , Burger L R , Pintel D J
Published: January 2020

The two capsid proteins of minute virus of mice, VP1 and VP2, are generated from a single large open reading frame by alternate splicing of the capsid gene mRNA. Examination of the replication of a series of mutants that express only VP1, only VP2, or neither capsid protein demonstrates that VP2 is necessary for the accumulation and encapsidation of virus progeny single-stranded DNA. VP1 is dispensable for these functions but is required to produce an infectious virion. Virus that lacks VP1 binds to cells as efficiently as wild-type minute virus of mice but fails to initiate a productive infection. Because neither capsid protein is required for viral-DNA replication, these results suggest that virus lacking VP1 is blocked at a step during virus entry, subsequent to cell binding and prior to the initiation of DNA replication.
An increase in disease latency is associated with a host-dependent selection for recombinant murine leukemia viruses with substitutions in the p15E (TM) gene
Authors: Thomas C Y , Coppola M A , Nuckols J D , Lawrenz-Smith S C , Massey A C
Published: January 2020

The genomes of recombinant murine leukemia viruses recovered from HRS/J (type I env recombinants) and CWD (type II env recombinants) mice have distinct envelope gene structures. To better understand the biologic significance of these differences, we examined the differences in the responses of HRS/J and CWD mice to inoculation with an oncogenic type II env recombinant. The CWD recombinant accelerated the onset of lymphoma in both strains, but the disease latency in the HRS/J mice was about 2 months longer. Analysis of the recombinant viruses in the HRS/J tumors revealed that the injected type II env recombinant had recombined in vivo with the endogenous ecotropic viruses to generate secondary recombinants with type I envelope genes. In another set of experiments, comparison of complete or partial DNA sequences of the envelope genes from six recombinant proviruses confirmed that the origins of the sequences that encode an amino-terminal region of the TM envelope protein, p15E, distinguish type I envelope genes from type II. Taken together with the results of previous studies, these observations suggest that the differences in the responses of HRS/J and CWD mice to the oncogenic type II env recombinant resulted from an interaction between the viral TM protein and a host factor expressed in HRS/J mice.
A single point mutation in the VP7 major core protein of bluetongue virus prevents the formation of core-like particles
Authors: Le Blois H , Roy P
Published: January 2020

To understand the assembly process of bluetongue virus (BTV), we have established a functional assay which allows us to produce and manipulate BTV core-like particles (CLPs) composed of the viral VP7 and VP3 proteins. A cDNA clone encoding the 349-amino-acid VP7 protein has been manipulated to generate deletion, extension, and site-specific mutants. Each mutant was coexpressed with the BTV VP3 protein to generate CLPs. Deletion and extension mutants involving the VP7 carboxy terminus prevented CLP formation, while an extension mutant involving an 11-amino-acid rabies virus sequence added to the amino terminus of VP7 allowed CLP formation. Substitution of either of two cysteine residues of VP7 (Cys-15 or Cys-65) by serine also did not prevent CLP formation; however, substitution of the single lysine residue of VP7 (Lys-255) by leucine abrogated CLP formation, indicating a critical role for this lysine.
Enzymatic activity of poliovirus RNA polymerases with mutations at the tyrosine residue of the conserved YGDD motif: isolation and characterization of polioviruses containing RNA polymerases with FGDD and MGDD sequences
Authors: Jablonski S A , Morrow C D
Published: January 2020

The poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3Dpol) shares a region of homology with all RNA polymerases, centered around the amino acid motif YGDD, which has been postulated to be involved in the catalytic activity of the enzyme. Using oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis, we substituted the tyrosine at this motif of the poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase with cysteine, histidine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, or serine. The enzymes were expressed in Escherichia coli, and in vitro enzyme activity was tested. The phenylalanine and methionine substitutions resulted in enzymes with activity equal to that of the wild-type enzyme. The cysteine substitution resulted in an enzyme with approximately 50% of the wild-type activity, while the serine substitution resulted in an enzyme with approximately 10% of the wild-type activity; the isoleucine and histidine substitutions resulted in background levels of enzyme activity. To assess the effects of the mutants in viral replication, the mutant polymerase genes were subcloned into the infectious cDNA clone of poliovirus. Transfection of poliovirus cDNA containing the phenylalanine mutation in 3Dpol gave rise to virus in all of the transfection trials, while cDNA containing the methionine mutation resulted in virus in only 3 of 40 transfections. Transfection of cDNAs containing the other substitutions at the tyrosine residue did not result in infectious virus. The recovered viruses demonstrated kinetics of replication similar to those of the wild-type virus, as measured by [3H]uridine incorporation at either 37 or 39 degrees C. RNA sequence analysis of the 3Dpol gene of both viruses demonstrated that the tyrosine-to-phenylalanine or tyrosine-to-methionine mutation was still present. No other differences in the 3Dpol gene between the wild-type and phenylalanine-containing virus were found. The virus containing the methionine mutation also contained two other nucleotide changes from the wild-type 3Dpol sequence; one resulted in a glutamic acid-to-aspartic acid change at amino acid 108 of the polymerase, and the other resulted in a C-to-T base change at nucleotide 6724, which did not result in an amino acid change. To confirm that the second amino acid mutation found in the 3Dpol gene of the methionine-substituted virus allowed for replication ability, a mutation corresponding to the glutamic acid-to-aspartic acid change was made in the polymerase containing the methionine substitution, and this double-mutant polymerase was expressed in E. coli. The double-mutant enzyme was as active as the wild-type enzyme under in vitro assay conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Membrane association of functional vesicular stomatitis virus matrix protein in vivo
Authors: Chong L D , Rose J K
Published: January 2020

The matrix (M) protein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a major structural component of the virion which is generally believed to bridge between the membrane envelope and the ribonucleocapsid (RNP) core. To investigate the interaction of M protein with cellular membranes in the absence of other VSV proteins, we examined its distribution by subcellular fractionation after expression in HeLa cells. Approximately 90% of M protein, expressed without other viral proteins, was soluble, whereas the remaining 10% was tightly associated with membranes. A similar distribution in VSV-infected cells has been observed previously. Conditions known to release peripherally associated membrane proteins did not detach M protein from isolated membranes. Membrane-associated M protein was soluble in the detergent Triton X-114, whereas soluble M protein was not, suggesting a chemical or conformational difference between the two forms. Membranes containing associated M protein were able to bind RNP cores, whereas membranes lacking M protein were not. We suggest that this membrane-bound M fraction constitutes a functional subset of M protein molecules required for the attachment of RNP cores to membranes during normal virus budding.
Characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase expressed in Escherichia coli and analysis of variants with amino-terminal mutations
Authors: Vincent K A , Ellison V , Chow S A , Brown P O
Published: January 2020

Replication of a retroviral genome depends upon integration of the viral DNA into a chromosome of the host cell. The integration reaction is mediated by integrase, a viral enzyme. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to near homogeneity. Optimum conditions for the integration and 3'-end-processing activities of integrase were characterized by using an in vitro assay with short, double-stranded oligonucleotide substrates. Mutants containing amino acid substitutions within the HHCC region, defined by phylogenetically conserved pairs of histidine and cysteine residues near the N terminus, were constructed and characterized by using three assays: 3'-end processing, integration, and the reverse of the integration reaction (or disintegration). Mutations in the conserved histidine and cysteine residues abolished both integration and processing activities. Weak activity in both assays was retained by two other mutants containing substitutions for less highly conserved amino acids in this region. All mutants retained activity in the disintegration assay, implying that the active site for DNA cleavage-ligation is not located in this domain and that the HHCC region is not the sole DNA-binding domain in the protein. However, the preferential impairment of processing and integration rather than disintegration by mutations in the HHCC region is consistent with a role for this domain in recognizing features of the viral DNA. This hypothesis is supported by the results of disintegration assays performed with altered substrates. The results support a model involving separate viral and target DNA-binding sites on integrase.