Preliminary X-ray data analysis of crystalline cowpea chlorotic mottle virus

Crystals of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) that diffract X-rays to 3.1 A resolution were grown in a succinate-PEG solution buffered at pH 3.3. The crystals are in space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell dimensions of a = 381.26 A, b = 381.26 A, and c = 408.59 A. Four particles occupy the unit cell, placing a single virion in the crystallographic asymmetric unit. Diffraction intensities measured from 196 films collected at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source accounted for 55% of the theoretically possible data to 3.2 A. Unit cell dimensions and rotation function analyses of the X-ray data revealed that the particles were organized in a pseudo-tetragonal relationship with the pseudo-fourfold axis along the crystal c axis. Analysis of electron micrographs of two-dimensional crystals of CCMV revealed a remarkable similarity between these and planes of particles perpendicular to the crystallographic c axis in the three-dimensional crystal.

Localization of the African swine fever virus attachment protein P12 in the virus particle by immunoelectron microscopy

The African swine fever virus attachment protein p12 was localized in the virion by immunoelectron microscopy. Purified virus particles were incubated, before or after different treatments, with p12-specific monoclonal antibody 24BB7 and labeled with protein A-colloidal gold. Untreated virus particles showed labeling only in lateral protrusions that followed the external virus envelope. Mild treatment of African swine fever virions with the nonionic detergent octyl-glucoside or with ethanol onto the electron microscope grid resulted in a heavier and more homogeneous labeling of the virus particles. In contrast, the release of the external virus proteins by either octyl-glucoside or Nonidet-P40 and beta-mercaptoethanol generated a subviral fraction that was not labeled by 24BB7. Preembedding, labeling, and thin-sectioning experiments confirmed that the antigenic determinant recognized by 24BB7 was localized into the external region of the virus particle but required some disruption to make it more accessible. From these results we conclude that protein p12 is situated in a layer above the virus capsid with, at least, one epitope predominantly not exposed in the virion surface; this epitope may not be related to the virus ligand-cell receptor interaction.

The amino terminal sequence of VP60 from rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus supports its putative subgenomic origin

Direct determination of the amino acid sequence of VP60 from rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus is impeded by the presence of a blocked N-terminus. Chemical cleavage of VP60 using cyanogen bromide allowed the identification and purification of two oligopeptides showing identical amino acid composition, one of which had its amino terminus blocked. Automated sequential degradation of the unblocked CNBr- peptide yielded the amino acid sequence EGKARTAPQGEAA. This sequence is identical to the deduced amino acid sequence following the first AUG codon found at position +10 at the 5'-end of the 2.4 kb subgenomic mRNA. These data favor the hypothesis that this viral polypeptide is mainly produced from the subgenomic mRNA and not from the genomic RNA by processing of the putative polyprotein generated from the major open reading frame.

Marburg virus gene 4 encodes the virion membrane protein, a type I transmembrane glycoprotein

Gene 4 of Marburg virus, strain Musoke, was subjected to nucleotide sequence analysis. It is 2,844 nucleotides long and extends from genome position 5821 to position 8665 (EMBL Data Library, emnew: MVREPCYC [accession no. Z12132]). The gene is flanked by transcriptional signal sequences (start signal, 3'-UACUUCUUGUAAUU-5'; termination signal, 3'-UAAUUCUUUUU-5') which are conserved in all Marburg virus genes. The major open reading frame encodes a polypeptide of 681 amino acids (M(r), 74,797). After in vitro transcription and translation, as well as expression in Escherichia coli, this protein was identified by its immunoreactivity with specific antisera as the unglycosylated form of the viral membrane glycoprotein (GP). The GP is characterized by the following four different domains: (i) a hydrophobic signal peptide at the amino terminus (1 to 18), (ii) a predominantly hydrophilic external domain (19 to 643), (iii) a hydrophobic transmembrane anchor (644 to 673), and (iv) a small hydrophilic cytoplasmic tail at the carboxy terminus (674 to 681). Amino acid analysis indicated that the signal peptide is removed from the mature GP. The GP therefore has the structural features of a type I transmembrane glycoprotein. The external domain of the protein has 19 N-glycosylation sites and several clusters of hydroxyamino acids and proline residues that are likely to be the attachment sites for about 30 O-glycosidic carbohydrate chains. The region extending from positions 585 to 610 shows significant homology to a domain observed in the envelope proteins of several retroviruses and Ebola virus that has been suspected to be responsible for immunosuppressive properties of these viruses. A second open reading frame of gene 4 has the coding capacity for an unidentified polypeptide 112 amino acids long.

The UL10 gene of herpes simplex virus 1 encodes a novel viral glycoprotein, gM, which is present in the virion and in the plasma membrane of infected cells

The herpes simplex virus 1 UL10 gene encodes a hydrophobic membrane protein dispensable for viral replication in cell culture (J.D. Baines and B. Roizman, J. Virol. 65:938-944, 1991). We report the following. (i) A fusion protein consisting of glutathione S-transferase fused to the C-terminal 93 amino acids of the UL10 protein was used to produce a rabbit polyclonal antiserum. The antiserum reacted with infected-cell proteins which formed in denaturing polyacrylamide gels a sharp band (apparent M(r) of 50,000) and a very broad band (M(r) of 53,000 to 63,000). These bands were not formed by lysates of UL10- virus or by lysates of infected cells boiled in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate before electrophoresis. (ii) The proteins forming both bands were labeled by [3H]glucosamine, indicating that they were glycosylated. (iii) The UL10 protein in cells treated with tunicamycin formed a single band (apparent M(r) of 47,000) reactive with the anti-UL10 antibody, indicating that the 47,000-M(r) protein was a precursor of N-glycosylated, more slowly migrating forms of UL10. Treatment of the immunoprecipitate with endoglycosidase H increased the electrophoretic mobility of the 50,000-M(r) species to that of the 47,000-M(r) species, indicating that the 50,000-M(r) species contained high-mannose polysaccharide chains, whereas the proteins forming the 53,000- to 63,000-M(r) bands contained mature chains inasmuch as they were resistant to digestion by the enzyme. (iv) The UL10 protein of R7221 carrying a 20-amino-acid epitope formed only one band with an M(r) of 53,000. This band was sensitive to endoglycosidase H, suggesting that the epitope inserted in the R7221 UL10 protein may have interfered with glycosylation. (v) The UL10 protein does not contain a cleavable signal sequence inasmuch as the first UL10 methionine codon was reflected in the 50,000-M(r) protein. (vi) The UL10 protein is present in virions and plasma membranes of unfixed cells that were reacted with the polyclonal rabbit antibody. In accordance with the current nomenclature, the UL10 protein is designated glycoprotein M.

An in-frame insertion into the Sindbis virus 6K gene leads to defective proteolytic processing of the virus glycoproteins, a trans-dominant negative inhibition of normal virus formation, and interference in virus shut off of host-cell protein synthesis

Encoded in the genomes of all alphaviruses is a hydrophobic polypeptide of 55 amino acids, which is post-translationally modified with 4 covalently bound palmitic acids. This protein, noted as 6K, associates with membranes and is transported along with the two virus transmembranal glycoproteins to the site of virus assembly at the infected cell's plasma membrane. Previous studies showed that mutations in the 6K protein led to the slow release of aberrant, multi-cored infectious virions. In this paper, we report that an in-frame insertion of 45 nucleotides into an internal site of the 6K gene of Sindbis virus produced single-cored infectious particles at about 5% the yield of wild-type virus when the mutant was grown on avian, mammalian, and insect cells. Although the 15 amino acids were inserted at position 29 of the 55-amino-acid 6K protein, the mutation interfered with the cotranslational proteolytic processing that cleaves the 6K at its amino terminus from the Sindbis virus p62 glycoprotein and at its carboxyl terminus from the E1 glycoprotein. As a result, the amounts of normal p62 and E1 proteins were only half that made in cells infected with wild-type virus. In addition, the post-translational proteolytic conversion of p62 to E2 occurred at 10% the rate of wild-type proteins and the extensive fatty acylation normally detected on wild-type 6K protein was not found on the altered 6K protein. None of the mutated 6K protein was detected in virions, which were morphologically indistinguishable from wild-type virus. The mutant 6K virions also were similar to wild type in their rate of attachment, uncoating, and formation of an early nonstructural virus protein in avian cells. When compared with the wild-type virus, 6K29-infected cells exhibited a decreased rate of host-cell protein synthesis shut off. However, the rates of virus capsid synthesis were the same, indicating that capsid protein, per se, is not involved in shut off of host-cell protein synthesis. In complementation studies, this mutant exhibited a trans-dominant phenotype. These data provide clues about the topology of 6K protein in the membrane and its function in virus maturation.

The virion of mengovirus contains anti-interferon activity

Many viruses are resistant to the antiviral state induced by interferon (IFN) in certain cell lines because they produce factors having anti-IFN activity (AIA). We show here that is+, a mengovirus strain resistant to low concentrations of IFN, also produces an AIA, but that an IFN-sensitive mutant (is-1) does not. This activity was detected when is+ rescued is-1 from the antiviral state induced in mouse L cells by mouse IFN. The mengovirus AIA was found in cell lysates prepared from cells infected with is+, and in the virions of purified, inactivated is+ but not in lysates prepared from is-1-infected cells or in the is-1 virion. Also the pentameric subunits that make up the viral capsid contained AIA, whereas the individual monomeric subunits that constitute the pentamers did not. We also describe an assay system for detecting and quantitating the mengovirus AIA.

Structure, composition and heparin binding properties of a human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein complex designated gC-II

The structure and heparin binding properties of a family of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) disulphide-linked glycoprotein complexes designated gC-II were analysed. gC-II complexes contain two groups of glycoproteins designated Group 1 and Group 2. These glycoproteins were separated from each other by short exposure of virions to a reducing agent. This showed that the disulphide bonds between these glycoproteins were on the external surface of the virion. Although these glycoproteins were no longer associated they were not released from the virion, suggesting that they were transmembrane glycoproteins. Approximately 75 to 90% of the gC-II complexes and 18% of the complexes containing the HCMV gB glycoprotein obtained from the virion envelope bound immobilized heparin. When virions were incubated with [3H]heparin, gC-II complexes bound more heparin than gB complexes, by approximately threefold. These data showed that gC-II complexes had a greater heparin-binding capacity. After treatment of virions with a reducing agent the affinity of gC-II glycoproteins for heparin was greatly reduced whereas the affinity of gB glycoproteins was only slightly reduced. Thus, higher order structure was important for heparin binding by gC-II complexes but not by those of gB. Relative to gC-II Group 1 glycoproteins, a greater portion of gC-II Group 2 glycoproteins still bound to heparin after reduction, suggesting that Group 2 glycoproteins may be the important heparin binding component of the gC-II complexes. Both gB and gC-II complexes were eluted from immobilized heparin with soluble heparin or 0.65 M-NaCl suggesting that both formed ionic bonds with heparin. Chondroitin sulphate was not effective at eluting HCMV envelope glycoproteins from immobilized heparin. Thus, the structure of the glucosaminoglycan backbone is important to the binding of HCMV glycoproteins to heparin.

Morphometric analysis of envelope glycoprotein gp120 distribution on HIV-1 virions

The surface of HIV-1, like that of other retroviruses, is studied with virally encoded glycoproteins which appear ultrastructurally as electron-dense spikes or knobs. The glycoprotein that forms the spike structure, gp120, is non-covalently bound to the transmembrane glycoprotein gp41. Mature HIV-1 virions do not have as many spikes as the genetically related retroviruses HIV-2 and SIV. gp120 is lost from HIV-1 during viral morphogenesis and after incubation of the virus with the soluble form of cellular receptor CD4. In this study we used ultrastructural cytochemistry and morphometry to quantitate the distribution of envelope glycoprotein spikes on budding and mature HIV-1 virions and to look for alternatives to the laborious and somewhat subjective spike-counting technique for envelope spike analysis on HIV-1. HIV-1, strain HTLV-IIIB, was examined after staining of envelope glycoproteins with either tannic acid, immunogold staining for gp120 (gp120-immunogold), or lectin-gold staining with concanavalin A for mannose residues (ConA-HRP-gold) and frequency distributions of spikes or gold particles per micron HIV-1 membrane generated. Envelope spikes were normally distributed on membranes of budding and mature HIV-1. However, the density of spikes per micron viral membrane on mature HIV-1 virions was approximately 50% of that observed on budding virions. ConA-HRP-gold and gp120-immunogold did not efficiently label budding virions. The shape of the frequency distribution for ConA-HRP-gold particles on mature virions was similar to that for envelope spikes and could be used to quantitate envelope glycoproteins on HIV-1. In addition, ConA-HRP-gold staining was able to detect the loss of envelope proteins after treatment of virus with soluble CD4. gp120-immunogold labeling was patchy and many virions were unlabeled. ConA-HRP-gold staining proved to be a rapid, reliable, and easily quantifiable method for estimation of envelope glycoprotein density on mature HIV-1. However, the loss of spike structures throughout the life cycle of HIV-1 can effectively be determined only by direct spike counting.

Hepatitis delta virus antigen forms dimers and multimeric complexes in vivo

Although the hepatitis delta virus genome contains multiple open reading frames, only one of these reading frames is known to be expressed during replication of the virus. This open reading frame encodes two distinct molecular species of hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg), p24 delta and p27 delta, depending on the location of the stop codon which terminates translation. We found antibody specific for p27 delta to be capable of precipitating p24 delta in extracts of infected liver, indicating that p27 delta and p24 delta form heterologous complexes in vivo. After cross-linking with 0.05% glutaraldehyde, specific HDAg dimers were detected in antigen prepared from both the liver and serum of an HDV-infected woodchuck carrier of woodchuck hepatitis virus. Guanidine HCl-denatured HDAg extracted from liver and dialyzed against phosphate-buffered saline sedimented in rate-zonal sucrose density gradients as 15S multimeric complexes. These 15S multimers were stable in the presence of 1.2% Nonidet P-40. After RNase digestion, the 15S complex was reduced to a 12S complex without associated RNA, while boiling for 3 min in 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate-0.5% 2-mercaptoethanol further reduced the 15S complex to 3S HDAg monomers. In the absence of glutaraldehyde cross-linking, HDAg extracted from liver migrated as monomer species in reducing and nonreducing gels, suggesting that the conserved cysteine residue present in p27 delta does not play a role in the formation of either dimers or multimers. On the other hand, an amino-terminal chymotrypsin-digested HDAg fragment, with a predicted length of 81 or less amino acids, retained the ability to form dimers, consistent with the hypothesis that a coiled-coil motif present between residues 27 and 58 may play a role in HDAg protein interactions in vivo.

Characterization of different electrophoretic forms of cauliflower mosaic virus virions (strain Cabb-S)

The electrophoretic forms of purified cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), strain Cabb-S, were examined by electrophoresis on agarose gels. Three populations of viral particles were identified: a faster migrating component (the form F) and two slower migrating components (the forms S and S'). When the different forms of virions, after excision from gels, were subjected to analysis in SDS-polyacrylamide gel, the fast component consisted of the 37 and 42 kDa coat proteins whereas the slow components contained mainly the 39 kDa coat protein. However, there was no difference among the nucleic acids associated within the three forms. The biological significance of the different components is discussed.

Incorporation of CD4 into virions by a recombinant herpes simplex virus

Two herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) recombinants were constructed by inserting the human CD4 gene into the HSV-1 genome between the gC promoter and the gC structural gene. These viruses, designated K delta T/CD4 and K082/CD4, synthesized a significant quantity of CD4. CD4 was expressed on the surface of infected cells at levels substantially higher than on the surface of HUT78 cells, a CD4+ cell line. Most significantly, a small but detectable quantity of CD4 was incorporated into virions produced by the recombinant viruses. This was demonstrated both by immunoprecipitation of CD4 from purified virions and by neutralization of the recombinant virions by OKT4 and complement. These results suggest that specific virion incorporation signals are not strictly required for inclusion of glycoproteins into HSV-1 virions. It may be possible to utilize this ability to alter the host range or tissue specificity of HSV-1.

Developments in the understanding of the particle structure of tobraviruses

Particles of tobraviruses resemble those of tobacco mosaic tobramovirus (TMV) in having helical symmetry and in being rod-shaped. However, isolated tobravirus coat protein and TMV coat protein respond to changes in the ionic strength and pH of the solute in contrasting ways. The types of aggregate formed in solutions of coat protein also differ which may be related to differences in the apparent mechanism of reconstitution of virus particles from isolated protein and RNA. The amino acid sequences of tobravirus and tobramovirus coat proteins have been shown to be similar in some regions known to be important for the structure of TMV particles. These alignments also show that tobravirus proteins are larger than tobramoviral proteins in part because of extra residues at the C-terminus. Tobravirus particles give a signal in proton NMR spectroscopy but TMV particles do not. The signal is caused by segmental mobility of the C-terminal peptide. This difference between TMV and tobraviruses may be related to a property not shared by tobraviruses and TMV and it is therefore speculated that the mobile C-terminal peptide of tobravirus coat proteins may be important in the transmission of tobravirus particles by nematode vectors.

Lipid and fatty acid analysis of the Plodia interpunctella granulosis virus (PiGV) envelope

Virus envelope was isolated from Plodia interpunctella granulosis virus, produced in early fourth-instar larvae. Both polar and neutral lipids were analyzed by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. Fatty acid composition of various individual neutral and polar lipids was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. The major components of envelope neutral lipid were diacylglycerols. Palmitic acid and stearic acid were the major saturated fatty acids in both polar and neutral lipids. Whereas palmitoleic acid was the major unsaturated fatty acids in neutral lipids, oleic acid was the major unsaturated fatty acid in the polar lipids.

The thermal stability and decapsidation mechanism of tymoviruses: a differential calorimetric study

The thermal stability of virions present in purified suspensions of three tymoviruses, turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV), belladonna mottle virus (BelMV) and eggplant mosaic virus (EMV) was investigated by microcalorimetry. Virions are less stable than natural empty shells at 4.5 < or = pH < or = 8.5. Polyvalent cations present in TYMV stabilize the virions at pH < or = 5.0 only. Virions decapsidate in three steps: i) the release of the viral RNA, probably through a hole in the capsid; ii) the dissociation of the artificial empty shells thus formed; and iii) the denaturation of the dissociated components. An exothermic process accompanies the first step. Structural implications are discussed.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of three serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus

Foot-and-mouth disease viruses from serotypes O, A and C have been crystallized. The particular strains studied include O1K, A10(61), A22 Iraq 24/64, A24 Cruzeiro and C-S8c1. In addition, crystals have been grown of G67, a monoclonal antibody neutralization escape mutant derived from O1K, and of virus R100, recovered after the establishment of a persistent infection in baby hamster kidney cells with C-S8c1. Empty particles, capsids which lack the RNA genome, have also been crystallized for subtypes A22 Iraq 24/64 and A10(61). In almost all cases, crystals suitable for high resolution structure determination were obtained from (NH4)2SO4 or mixtures of polyethylene glycol and NH4Cl.

A carboxy-terminal fragment of protein mu 1/mu 1C is present in infectious subvirion particles of mammalian reoviruses and is proposed to have a role in penetration

Penetration of a cell membrane as an early event in infection of cells by mammalian reoviruses appears to require a particular type of viral particle, the infectious subvirion particle (ISVP), which is generated from an intact virion by proteolytic cleavage of the outer capsid proteins sigma 3 and mu 1/mu 1C. Characterizations of the structural components and properties of ISVPs are thus relevant to attempts to understand the mechanism of penetration by reoviruses. In this study, a novel, approximately 13-kDa carboxy-terminal fragment (given the name phi) was found to be generated from protein mu 1/mu 1C during in vitro treatments of virions with trypsin or chymotrypsin to yield ISVPs. With trypsin treatment, both the carboxy-terminal fragment phi and the amino-terminal fragment mu 1 delta/delta were shown to be generated and to remain attached to ISVPs in stoichiometric quantities. Sites of protease cleavage were identified in the deduced amino acid sequence of mu 1 by determining the amino-terminal sequences of phi proteins: trypsin cleaves between arginine 584 and isoleucine 585, and chymotrypsin cleaves between tyrosine 581 and glycine 582. Findings in this study indicate that sequences in the phi portion of mu 1/mu 1C may participate in the unique functions attributed to ISVPs. Notably, the delta-phi cleavage junction was predicted to be flanked by a pair of long amphipathic alpha-helices. These amphipathic alpha-helices, together with the myristoyl group at the extreme amino terminus of mu 1/mu 1N, are proposed to interact directly with the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane during penetration by mammalian reoviruses.

Identification of viral structural polypeptides of Thogoto virus (a tick-borne orthomyxo-like virus) and functions associated with the glycoprotein

Thogoto (THO) virus is a tick-borne virus which shares morphological and genetic features with members of the Orthomyxoviridae family although the viral glycoprotein appears to be related to gp64 of baculoviruses. Characterization of THO virus was undertaken to clarify its taxonomic position. Purified virus preparations contained at least six virus-encoded polypeptides with apparent M(r) values ranging from 29K to 92K. A 75K polypeptide was identified as an envelope-associated glycoprotein by Triton X-100 and salt dissociation studies, and by proteolytic degradation of the exposed proteins of the virion. By the same criteria, the nucleoprotein and the matrix protein were identified as the 52K and 29K polypeptides, respectively. Immunofluorescence studies using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) located the glycoprotein on the external cell membrane and the nucleoprotein in the nucleus of infected cells indicating that virus replication involved a nuclear phase. In addition, the virus displayed haemagglutination and haemolytic activities with an optimum at pH 6. These activities are functions of the viral glycoprotein since they were inhibited by anti-glycoprotein MAbs. The data reported here support the notion that THO virus is a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family but that it should be classified in a group distinct from the other influenza viruses.

The UL16 gene of human cytomegalovirus encodes a glycoprotein that is dispensable for growth in vitro

The UL16 gene of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes a predicted translation product with features characteristic of glycoproteins (signal and anchor sequences and eight potential N-linked glycosylation sites). Antisera were raised against the UL16 gene product expressed in Escherichia coli as a beta-galactosidase fusion protein. The antisera detected a 50-kDa glycoprotein in HCMV-infected cells that was absent from purified virions. The UL16 glycoprotein was synthesized at early times after infection and accumulated to the highest levels at late times after infection. A recombinant HCMV in which UL16 coding sequences were interrupted by a lacZ expression cassette was constructed by insertional mutagenesis. Analysis of the phenotype of the recombinant virus indicated that the UL16 gene product is nonessential for virus infectivity and growth in tissue culture.

Identification of heat shock protein 70 in the rabies virion

We investigated a 73-kDa polypeptide (p73), a minor component of the rabies virion (HEP-Flury and ERA strains), accounting for as much as 1% of total virion proteins. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting with the antiserum against the heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) demonstrated that p73 was identical to a constitutive type of cellular hsp70. The antiserum also detected p73/hsp70 in the purified virions of other negative-stranded RNA viruses, such as vesicular stomatitis virus (New Jersey serotype), Newcastle disease virus (Miyadera strain), and influenza A virus (PR8 strain), among which, however, the contents were variable.

Nucleotide sequence responsible for the synthesis of a truncated coat protein of brome mosaic virus strain ATCC66

The ATCC66 strain of brome mosaic virus (BMV) (propagated at Kyoto University) contained two types of coat protein in its virion whereas the Russian strain of BMV has been known to contain a single coat protein; both strains have two initiation codons for coat protein in the same reading frame at the 5'-proximal end of the gene in RNA 4. Comparative studies on the nucleotide sequences of the ATCC66 and Russian strains of BMV demonstrated that in the ATCC66 strain, two adjacent adenine residues were absent from RNA 3 in the leader sequences of the coat protein gene just a few nucleotides 5' to the first initiation codon of the coat protein gene. Using biologically active cDNA clones of BMV RNA of the ATCC66 strain, we inserted two adjacent adenine residues into the cDNA of RNA 3 to obtain an RNA 3 transcript which has the same nucleotide sequence as the Russian strain in the non-coding leader sequence of the coat protein gene. Barley protoplasts inoculated with this RNA 3 transcript together with RNA 1 and 2 produced a single coat protein. To obtain further insight into the mechanism of translation of the BMV coat protein, we constructed several types of RNA 4 by changing the sequence surrounding the first AUG codon in the coat protein gene and analysed the in vitro translation products of the mutant RNA 4. The results confirmed that the absence of the two adjacent adenine residues was responsible for the production of two types of coat protein in the ATCC66 strain. The deletion of the two adjacent adenine residues in ATCC66 resulted in a base substitution of A with U three nucleotides 5' to the first AUG in the coat protein gene. The base substitution reduced translational activity from the first AUG codon and concomitantly increased translational activity from the second AUG codon from which a truncated coat protein was translated.

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

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.

Factors underlying spontaneous inactivation and susceptibility to neutralization of human immunodeficiency virus

To determine the factors governing inactivation and neutralization, physical, chemical, and biological assays were performed on a molecular clone of human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1HXB3). This included quantitative electron microscopy, gp120 and p24 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, reverse, transcriptase assays, and quantitative infectivity assays. For freshly harvested stocks, the ratio of infectious to noninfectious viral particles ranged from 10(-4) to 10(-7) in viral stocks containing 10(9) to 10(10) physical particles per milliliter. There were relatively few gp120 knobs per HIV particle, mean approximately 10 when averaged over the total particle count. Each HIV particle contained a mean approximately 5 x 10(-17) g of p24 and approximately 2 x 10(-16) g of RNA polymerase, corresponding to about 1200 and 80 molecules, respectively. The spontaneous shedding of gp120 envelope proteins from virions was exponential, with a half-life approximately 30 hr. The loss of RNA polymerase activity in virons was also exponential, with a half-life approximately 40 hr. The physical breakup of virions and the dissolution of p24 core proteins were slow (half-life greater than 100 hr) compared to the gp120 shedding and polymerase loss rates. The decay of HIV-1 infectivity was found to obey superimposed single- and multihit kinetics. At short preincubation times, the loss of infectivity correlated with spontaneous shedding of gp120 from virions. At longer times, an accelerating decay rate indicated that HIV requires a minimal number of gp120 molecules for efficient infection of CD4+ cells. The blocking activity of recombinant soluble CD4 (sCD4) and phosphonoformate (foscarnet) varied with the number of gp120 molecules and number of active RNA polymerase molecules per virion, respectively. These results demonstrate that the physical state of virions greatly influences infectivity and neutralization. The knowledge gained from these findings will improve the reliability of in vitro assays, enhance the study of wild-type strains, and facilitate the evaluation of potential HIV therapeutics and vaccines.

Some physicochemical properties of the virus of rabbit haemorrhagic disease

Purified and concentrated preparations of virus from liver extracts of infected rabbits contain virus specific components with sedimentation coefficients of about 175, 110 and sometimes 133S and more slow units. Full and empty virus particles with a diameter of about 34 nm were shown electron microscopically in the corresponding 175 and 110S fractions of the sucrose density gradient. The average of buoyant density of the 175, 133, 110S and more slow units are 1.36, 1.32 and 1.31 g/ml respectively. The extinction coefficient E260 nm is 4.3 +/- 0.7 cm2/mg. The RNA content is 17 +/- 4%. SDS-PAGE shows a "65" kD protein as a single or major component. Beside smaller polypeptides with lower intensities, the 67 kD polypeptide reacts positively in the Western blot with polyclonal antibodies of rabbits. The molecular weight of the virus is 15 +/- 4 x 10(6)D. The pH stability of the 175S unit was also tested.

Conformational alteration of Sindbis virion glycoproteins induced by heat, reducing agents, or low pH

Sindbis virions undergo a conformational rearrangement after attachment to cells but prior to entry, as detected by exposure of epitopes on virus-cell complexes which are not accessible to their cognate monoclonal antibodies on native virions (D. C. Flynn, W. J. Meyer, and R. E. Johnston, J. Virol. 64:3643-3653, 1990). The rearrangement did not appear to require transit of virions through a low-pH environment, and the altered virions participated in a productive infection. This naturally occurring structural alteration could be mimicked, although not precisely duplicated, by any of the three artificial treatments of purified virions in vitro: brief incubation at 51 degrees C, treatment with 1 to 5 mM dithiothreitol, or incubation of pH 5.8 to 6.0. Infectivity was maintained after all three treatments, suggesting that Sindbis virions are metastable and can exist in at least two infectious conformations. The integrity of external, neutralizing epitopes was maintained on cell-associated virions and in the altered conformations induced by heat and dithiothreitol, whereas these epitopes were unreactive under low-pH conditions that induced an analogous exposure of previously inaccessible epitopes. The pH at which the conformational change was induced and the pH at which virions could mediate cell-cell fusion from without were coordinately shifted when these two parameters were determined for another strain of Sindbis virus. This coordinate shift in pH optima suggests that the conformational change in virion structure observed at the cell surface may be causally related to fusion.

The herpes simplex virus 1 RNA binding protein US11 is a virion component and associates with ribosomal 60S subunits

The herpes simplex virus 1 US11 gene encodes a site- and conformation-specific RNA binding regulatory protein. We fused the coding sequence of this protein with that of beta-galactosidase, expressed the chimeric gene in Escherichia coli, and purified a fusion protein which binds RNA in the same way as the infected cell protein. The fusion protein was used to generate anti-US11 monoclonal antibody. Studies with this antibody showed that US11 protein is a viral structural protein estimated to be present in 600 to 1,000 copies per virion. The great majority of cytoplasmic US11 protein was found in association with the 60S subunit of infected cell ribosomes. US11 protein associates with ribosomes both late in infection at the time of its synthesis and at the time of infection after its introduction into the cytoplasm by the virion. US11 protein expressed in an uninfected cell line stably transfected with the US11 gene associates with ribosomal 60S subunits and localizes to nucleoli, suggesting that US11 protein requires no other viral functions for these associations.

TGEV corona virus ORF4 encodes a membrane protein that is incorporated into virions

The coding potential of the open reading frame ORF4 (82 amino acids) of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) has been confirmed by expression using a baculovirus vector. Five monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against the 10K recombinant product immunoprecipitated a polypeptide of a similar size in TGEV-infected cells. Immunofluorescence assays performed both on insect and mammalian cells revealed that ORF4 was a membrane-associated protein, a finding consistent with the prediction of a membrane-spanning segment in ORF4 sequence. Two epitopes were localized within the last 21 C-terminal residues of the sequence through peptide scanning and analysis of the reactivity of a truncated ORF4 recombinant protein. Since the relevant MAbs were found to induce a cell surface fluorescence, these data suggest that ORF4 may be an integral membrane protein having a Cexo-Nendo orientation. Anti-ORF4 MAbs were also used to show that ORF4 polypeptide may be detected in TGEV virion preparations, with an estimated number of 20 molecules incorporated per particle. Comparison of amino acid sequence data provided strong evidence that other coronaviruses encode a polypeptide homologous to TGEV ORF4. Our results led us to propose that ORF4 represents a novel minor structural polypeptide, tentatively designated SM (small membrane protein).

Pseudorabies virus glycoprotein III derived from virions and infected cells binds to the third component of complement

Glycoprotein III (gIII) of pseudorabies virus (PRV) was shown to bind to the third component of complement (C3). This was observed only with porcine C3 whereas human C3 showed negligible binding under the conditions tested. PRV virion proteins could be precipitated from supernatants and cell lysates of PRV-infected cells by means of swine-C3 coupled to sepharose. According to their molecular size and their reactivity with anti-gIII monoclonal antibodies, the precipitated PRV proteins represented the fully glycosylated and smaller forms of the gIII protein. Precipitation from PRV virions yielded predominantly the fully glycosylated form of gIII whereas infected cell lysates also contained lower molecular weight gIII proteins. The observed specificity of the virus protein for porcine C3 correlates well with the known host tropism of PRV. Our findings suggest that PRV gIII may exhibit more functions than solely providing attachment to heparin-like moieties on target cell surfaces. As the complement cascade is an important defense mechanism against a variety of pathogens, the interaction with the host C3, the pivotal component of the complement activation, might be a virulence factor of PRV.

Evidence for zinc binding by two structural proteins of Plodia interpunctella granulosis virus

Workers in our laboratory previously reported the possibility of cation involvement in the in vitro dissociation of the Plodia interpunctella granulosis virus nucleocapsids (K. A. Tweeten, L. A. Bulla, Jr., and R. A. Consigli, J. Virol. 33:866-876, 1980; M. E. Wilson and R. A. Consigli, Virology 143:516-525, 1985). The current study found zinc associated with both granulosis virus nucleocapsids and granulin by atomic absorption analysis. A blotting assay with 65Zn2+ specifically identified the radioactive cation as binding to two viral structural proteins, granulin and VP12. These findings indicate that zinc may have a critical role in maintaining virus stability.

Association of ICP0 but not ICP27 with purified virions of herpes simplex virus type 1

Recent studies have shown that ICP4, one of the major immediate-early proteins of herpes simplex virus type 1 is present within the tegument region of the virion (F. Yao and R. J. Courtney, J. Virol. 63:3338-3344, 1989). With monoclonal antibodies to two additional immediate-early proteins, ICP0 and ICP27, and Western blot (immunoblot) analysis, ICP0, but not ICP27, was also found to be associated with purified virus particles. In an effort to localize the ICP0 within the virion, purified virions were treated with trypsin in the presence and absence of detergent. The data suggest that ICP0 is located within the tegument region of the virion and is not localized in the envelope or within the nucleocapsid. The number of molecules of ICP0 per virion was estimated to be approximately 150.

Mutation in the primer binding site of the type 1 human immunodeficiency virus genome affects virus production and infectivity

In an effort to understand the contribution of the primer-binding site (PBS) region to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication, we have constructed a mutant HIV proviral DNA with an alteration in the 5' end of the PBS. The PBS mutant proviral DNA was characterized by transfection of the viral DNA into CD4+ and non-CD4+ target cells. The results indicate that mutation in the PBS reduced the level of viral particles released into the medium of transfected cells in comparison to wild-type proviral DNA. The viral particles were noninfectious upon transmission to established CD4+ cell lines and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes. Electron microscopic analysis of the transfected cells revealed no abnormalities in the structure of the virion directed by the mutant proviral DNA. Also, the protein and RNA contents of the mutant virions were similar to the wild type. The quantitation of intracellular viral structural protein in the transfected cells, however, indicated that the PBS mutation may have an effect on the assembly of viral particles in addition to completely abolishing reverse transcription of viral RNA into DNA. These results provide evidence that the PBS region of the viral genome has multiple functions in HIV-1 replication.

Simian varicella virus: characterization of virion and infected cell polypeptides and the antigenic cross-reactivity with varicella-zoster virus

Simian varicella virus (SVV) causes a varicella-like disease in non-human primates. In this study, SVV virions were purified from SVV-infected BSC-1 cells by zonal and differential gradient centrifugation and the virion polypeptide composition was analysed by SDS-PAGE. SVV virions had a buoyant density of 1.21 g/ml, identical to the value obtained for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) virions purified by the same method. Electron microscopy of the concentrated SVV virions revealed characteristic herpesvirus morphology. SVV virions consisted of at least 30 polypeptide species ranging from 16K to greater than 200K. The electrophoretic profiles of radiolabelled SVV and VZV virion polypeptides were very similar. Immunoprecipitations of solubilized SVV-infected cell preparations using SVV immune sera revealed at least 18 viral polypeptides with an Mr range of 12K to 142K and six glycoproteins ranging from 46K to 115K. In addition, extensive cross-reactivity between SVV and VZV proteins and glycoproteins was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation with heterologous immune sera. The high degree of antigenic relatedness between SVV and VZV provides further support for simian varicella as a model for VZV infections.

Identification and characterization of the herpes simplex virus type 1 virion protein encoded by the UL35 open reading frame

The UL35 open reading frame (ORF) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been predicted from DNA sequence analysis to encode a small polypeptide with a molecular weight of 12,095. We have investigated the protein product of the UL35 ORF by using a trpE-UL35 gene fusion to produce a corresponding fusion protein in Escherichia coli. The TrpE-UL35 chimeric protein was subsequently isolated and used as a source of immunogen for the production of rabbit polyclonal antiserum directed against the UL35 gene product. The TrpE-UL35 antiserum was found to recognize a 12-kDa protein which was specifically present in HSV-1-infected cells. By utilizing the TrpE-UL35 antiserum, the kinetics of synthesis of the UL35 gene product was examined, and these studies indicate that UL35 is expressed as a gamma 2 (true late) gene. The 12-kDa protein recognized by the TrpE-UL35 antiserum was associated with purified HSV-1 virions and type A and B capsids, suggesting that the UL35 ORF may encode the 12-kDa capsid protein variably designated p12, NC7, or VP26. To confirm this assignment, immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting studies were performed to demonstrate that the TrpE-UL35 antiserum reacts with the same polypeptide as an antiserum directed against the purified p12 capsid protein (anti-NC7) (G.H. Cohen, M. Ponce de Leon, H. Diggelmann, W.C. Lawrence, S.K. Vernon, and R.J. Eisenberg, J. Virol. 34:521-531, 1980). Furthermore, the anti-NC7 serum was also found to react with the TrpE-UL35 chimeric protein isolated from E. coli, providing additional evidence that the UL35 gene encodes p12. On the basis of these studies, we conclude that UL35 represents a true late gene which encodes the 12-kDa capsid protein of HSV-1.

Sequence analysis of the large (L) protein of simian virus 5

The complete nucleotide sequence of the large (L) protein gene of simian virus 5 (SV5) was determined from cDNA of the genomic RNA and mRNA, and found to be 6804 bases in length, exclusive of a poly(A) tract. The sequence contained an open reading frame of 6765 nucleotides encoding 2255 amino acids. Results of dot matrix comparisons of the L protein of SV5 with those of human parainfluenza type 3 virus and Sendai virus indicated that there are five conserved domains, and that each domain contains characteristic sequence(s). The L protein of SV5 was detected in purified virions using antiserum directed against an oligopeptide corresponding to the N-terminal region.

Extraordinarily low density of hepatitis C virus estimated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and the polymerase chain reaction

The genomic RNA of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the plasma of volunteer blood donors was detected by using the polymerase chain reaction in a fraction of density 1.08 g/ml from sucrose density gradient equilibrium centrifugation. When the fraction was treated with the detergent NP40 and recentrifuged in sucrose, the HCV RNA banded at 1.25 g/ml. Assuming that NP40 removed a lipid-rich surface coat from HCV, the 1.08 g/ml and 1.25 g/ml HCV RNA may correspond to intact HCV virions and nucleocapsids, respectively. The extraordinarily low density of the virion is unusual in comparison to the density of classified viruses.

Identification and characterization of the virion-induced host shutoff product of herpes simplex virus gene UL41

The virion-induced host shutoff product of the herpes simplex virus UL41 gene is required for shutoff of host translation and degradation of cellular mRNAs. We employed a rabbit antipeptide antiserum to identify a 58K UL41-related phosphoprotein in infected cells. We also provide evidence that this protein is a component of the virus particle, consistent with its role in virion-induced shutoff.

Virion-associated trans-regulatory protein of human T-cell leukemia virus type I

Western blot analysis of HTLV-I virus particles from HUT-102 cells revealed a 40-kD protein strongly reactive with Tax-specific rabbit antisera. This protein subsequently was isolated from density gradient purified virions by preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), purified from comigrating Gag and human cellular proteins by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified as the tax-encoded gene product by amino acid composition analysis. Among extracellular virions from five HTLV-I producing cell lines, only those from HUT-102 and C10MJ cells contained a detectable Tax protein, although all cells expressed Tax mRNA and protein intracellularly. To investigate the diagnostic implications of virion-associated Tax protein, sera from HTLV-I-infected individuals were compared on HUT-102 and MT-2 virus Western blots. The seroprevalence of antibodies to Tax, but not Gag or Env proteins, was substantially higher among adult T-cell leukemia and tropical spastic paraparesis patients using HUT-102 viral proteins. Thus, immunoassays utilizing HUT-102 virus are most sensitive for detection of Tax-reactive antibodies.

Characterization of enveloped tegument structures (L particles) produced by alphaherpesviruses: integrity of the tegument does not depend on the presence of capsid or envelope

Recent studies have shown that infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strain 17 generates in addition to virions a novel type of non-infectious particle. These particles, termed L particles, lack capsids and viral DNA, and consist predominantly of tegument and envelope proteins. We show that L particle production is not restricted to one strain of HSV-1, and that pseudorabies virus and equine herpesvirus type 1 also release particles which are similar in composition to and morphologically indistinguishable from HSV-1 L particles. Data obtained from monoclonal antibody analysis revealed that Vmw175, an immediate early HSV-1 polypeptide which had been previously identified as a virion component, is located predominantly in L particles and not in virions. Following removal of the envelope from L particles, the remaining tegument material largely retained its structural integrity, indicating that the structure of the tegument does not depend on the presence of the capsid or envelope.

Assembly of enveloped tegument structures (L particles) can occur independently of virion maturation in herpes simplex virus type 1-infected cells

Cells infected with a number of alphaherpesviruses produce non-infectious virion-related particles, termed L particles, in addition to infectious virions. L particles consist of the tegument and envelope components, but lack the virus capsid and DNA. Using a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) temperature-sensitive mutant, ts1201, which fails to produce mature virions, we show that L particle production is independent of virion formation. Moreover, the quantity and protein composition of L particles generated by this mutant at the non-permissive temperature are indistinguishable from those produced in wild-type HSV-1 infections. Electron microscopy studies suggest that the processes governing the assembly of tegument and envelope components into L particles are similar to those involved in virion maturation.

The varicella-zoster virus immediate-early protein IE62 is a major component of virus particles

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) open reading frame (ORF) 62 potentially encodes a protein with considerable amino acid homology to the herpes simplex virus (HSV) immediate-early regulatory polypeptide ICP4 (or IE3). To identify and characterize its protein product(s) (IE62), we used a rabbit antiserum prepared against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal 13 amino acids of the predicted protein. This antiserum reacted with phosphorylated polypeptides of 175 to 180 kDa that were made in VZV-infected cells and in cells infected with a vaccinia virus recombinant expressing IE62, but not in control-infected cells, confirming its specificity and reactivity to the IE62 protein. The antiserum recognized a 175-kDa polypeptide in purified virions that comigrated with a major structural protein. Comparison of this reactivity with that of an antipeptide antiserum directed against the VZV ORF 10 product (homologous to the HSV major structural protein VP16) indicates similar levels of ORF 62 and ORF 10 polypeptides in VZV virions. In contrast, antipeptide antiserum directed against the VZV ORF 29 product, the homolog of the HSV major DNA-binding protein, failed to recognize any protein in our virion preparations. Treatment of virions with detergents that disrupt the virion envelope did not dissociate IE62 from the nucleocapsid-tegument structure of the virion. Differential sensitivity of VZV virion IE62 to trypsin digestion in the presence or absence of Triton X-100 indicates that IE62 is protected from trypsin degradation by the virus envelope; since it is not a nucleocapsid protein, we conclude that it is part of the tegument. Finally, we show that the virion 175-kDa protein either can autophosphorylate or is a major substrate in vitro for virion-associated protein kinase activity.

Isolation of matrix protein M1 from influenza viruses by acid-dependent extraction with nonionic detergent

Influenza viruses were disrupted layer by layer with the nonionic detergent NP-40 at fixed pH. Treatment of the virions with NP-40 at neutral or mildly alkaline pH (6.8-8.0) yielded viral core structures containing M1 protein. The matrix M1 protein was selectively extracted from cores at acidic pH 3.0-4.5 with citrate, acetate, and phosphate buffers or with morpholinoethanesulfonic acid. The resulting M1 protein sedimented in a glycerol gradient with a coefficient of 2.8 S and most likely existed as a monomeric form of the 27,000-Da polypeptide. An antigenic map of the monomeric protein M1 tested with a panel of monoclonal anti-M1 antibodies was found to be similar to those of the assembled M1 protein in whole virions. The isolated M1 protein retained biological properties and inhibited the RNA polymerase activity of viral RNP. This transcription-inhibition function of M1 monomers was specifically restricted by one of the monoclonal antibodies studied.

Structure determination of the bacteriophage MS2

The structure of the bacterial virus MS2 has been solved at 3.3 A resolution. Initial phases to 13 A resolution were obtained from a model based on the known coordinates of the plant virus southern bean mosaic virus. These phases were extended in small steps to a resolution of 3.4 A. The phases obtained represented essentially the Babinet opposite of the true structure and were not of a sufficiently good quality to allow an interpretation of the electron density contoured at negative levels. Difference Fourier maps of two heavy-atom derivatives based on these phases were interpretable, and these derivatives were used to calculate isomorphous replacement phases at 8.8 A resolution. Phase extension to 3.3 A resolution led to maps which could be easily interpreted.

The most abundant protein in bovine herpes 1 virions is a homologue of herpes simplex virus type 1 UL47

The bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) protein VP8 is present, in large amounts, in the tegument of virions. As a preliminary step towards determining the function of VP8 and the biological relevance for its abundant presence, we describe the mapping of the location of its gene and determination of its nucleotide sequence. The gene for VP8 was located between 0.088 and 0.108 map units on the BHV-1 genome and contained a 2226 bp reading frame encoding a 742 amino acid protein. The protein, produced in vitro by transcribing and translating the reading frame, was precipitated by monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal serum directed against VP8. The primary structure of VP8 showed considerable homology with the product of the UL47 reading frame of herpes simplex virus type 1.

Interaction of influenza virus hemagglutinin with a lipid monolayer. A comparison of the surface activities of intact virions, isolated hemagglutinins, and a synthetic fusion peptide

In the infectious entry pathway of influenza virus, the low pH of the endosomal compartment induces an irreversible conformational change in influenza virus hemagglutinin, leading to fusion of viral and endosomal membranes. In the current report, we characterized the low-pH-induced activation of hemagglutinin of influenza strain X31 by studying its interaction with a lipid monolayer. The surface activities of virions, of isolated hemagglutinins and its proteolytic fragments, and of a synthetic peptide mimicking the amino terminus of subunit 2 of hemagglutinin are compared. The data indicate that the surface activity of both virions and isolated hemagglutinin develop as a result of the low-pH-induced conformational change in hemagglutinin. The surface activity of isolated hemagglutinin is mainly caused by penetration into the lipid monolayer of protein domains other than the amino terminus of subunit 2 of hemagglutinin; domains in subunit 1 may be involved. The surface activity of virions appears to be a secondary effect of the conformational change and is explained by assuming a net transfer of viral lipids to the lipid monolayer.

[A comparison of the protective properties of preparations of the virion and nonvirion ("soluble") antigens of the tick-borne encephalitis virus]

A comparative assessment of the protective properties of virion (VA) and nonvirion ("soluble") (NA) antigens of tick-borne encephalitis virus prepared as inactivated samples close in their parameters to vaccine preparations was carried out. The NA in the preparations free from VA or containing only trace, nonprotective amounts of it, was shown to have significantly lower protective properties than VA and exerted no booster effect on the protective activity when added to VA preparations.

The flavivirus envelope protein E: isolation of a soluble form from tick-borne encephalitis virus and its crystallization

By the use of limited trypsin digestion of purified virions, we generated a membrane anchor-free and crystallizable form of the tick-borne encephalitis virus envelope glycoprotein E. It retained its reactivity with a panel of monoclonal antibodies, and only subtle structural differences from the native protein E were recognized. Treatment with the bifunctional cross-linker dimethylsuberimidate resulted in the formation of a dimer. Crystallization experiments yielded hexagonal rod-shaped crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis.

[The effect of detergents on the physicochemical and immunochemical properties of the isolated M1 protein of the influenza virus]

The degree of solubility of influenza virus protein M1 preparations isolated from virions by acid chloroform-methanol extraction was studied under the effect of a wide spectrum of detergents of different origin. The same detergents were used for solution of a lipid comprising a part of artificially formed liposomes. Only some of the detergents used (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS, triton X-100, and disintegron-B) were shown to be optimal for solution of both influenza virus protein M1 and lipid. The degree of effect on the immunochemical properties of protein ML isolated from influenza virus virion of the above-mentioned detergents optimal for solution was also studied. For this purpose, a panel of 18 monoclonal antibodies with different determinant specificity to protein M1 was used. Two of the three detergents (SDS and disintegron-B) were shown not to change the antigenic profile of protein M1. The immunochemical properties of protein M1 of influenza virus isolated from virions by two methods: chloroform-methanol extraction and preparative polyacryl amide gel electrophoresis, were studied. These two methods of protein M1 isolation were shown not to alter its immunochemical properties.

Absorption spectra of viral components of Sendai virus in the wavelength region from 130 to 320 nm

Using synchrotron radiation as a light source, the absorption spectra of purified viral components of the Sendai virus, i.e. messenger RNA, lipids, spike (envelope) proteins, reconstructed envelopes, core proteins and whole virions, were obtained in the wavelength region 130-320 nm by measuring the transmission of thin films. Viral (messenger) RNA two peaks at 260 and 190 nm, and a large increase below 160 nm. The absorption spectrum of lipids exhibited a broad peak at 190 nm and a very sharp increase below 160 nm. With spike proteins, a slight peak at 280 nm and a shoulder at 230 nm were observed in addition to a sharper peak at 190 nm and a rather slow increasing absorption below 160 nm. Reconstructed envelopes showed the features of a combination of lipids and proteins. The absorption spectra of core proteins and whole virions exhibited similar characteristics to spike proteins. Conventional UV data were also obtained in the wavelength range 210-320 nm with RNA and lipids. The UV and synchrotron radiation data were in good agreement in terms of the mass absorption coefficients. The molecular splitting of spike proteins was also examined. Proteins gave more diffuse reflection than their subunits, causing a reduction in absorption. This was explained by a loss of transparency with increasing molecular weight.

[The properties of the particles formed in the reproduction of an acute in vitro infection with the tick-borne encephalitis virus adapted to H. plumbeum ticks]

The properties of virions produced in pig embryo kidney (PEK) cells inoculated with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus strain EK-328 which had been passaged in white mice and its variant obtained by passages of TBE in H. plumbeum ticks (clone 718/574 H. pl.17) were found to be different. The clone 718/574 H. pl17 virus particles had no hemagglutinating or precipitating activities, greater sedimentation and density heterogeneity in sucrose density gradient centrifugation, and differences in movements to electrodes in electrophoresis and immune electrophoresis. In mixed infection in PEK cultures with EK-328 strain and clone 718/574 H. pl17, the infective dose-dependent interference was observed which affected the infectious virus titre and the size of cathode antigen precipitate.

Molecular biology of bovine virus diarrhoea virus

Our understanding of the molecular biology of bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) has greatly increased over the past several years. The development of monoclonal antibodies (MAB's) has identified a key antigen of BVDV while at the same time providing evidence for considerable variation in this protein. MAB's, particularly those directed against the p80 protein, can be developed for use in diagnostic tests while others may be useful in molecular epidemiological studies of BVDV. The successful cloning of BVDV and hog cholera virus can provide nucleic acid probes for use in routine diagnostic testing, for use in pathogenesis studies and for the detection of BVDV contamination in biological materials. With the identification of the key antigens of BVDV and its molecular cloning, the future holds the promise of vectored vaccines which can provide the efficacy of modified-live vaccines with the safety of killed vaccines. However, much work still must be done to define the significance of the antigenic variation of BVDV as it relates to providing protection for the developing fetus.